Nate Diaz shocks the world and defeats Conor McGregor

07.03.2016 14:30

The current featherweight champion suffered a submission loss to Diaz at UFC 196 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Prior to tonight's contest, McGregor, who was originally meant to face Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight title, revealed his desire to fight for the welterweight belt at UFC 200.

He said: "I'm an active champion, I will fight in many weight divisions. As it grows and as it forms now I like the sound of that 170lb title as well - I got to be honest with myself.

"I feel like I can take down them three gold belts. And I feel like I can do it by the year's end."

However, his hopes of a champion vs champion fight in July have been well and truly shattered by Diaz.

McGregor, who was fighting for the first time as a welterweight, started the bout at a rip-roaring pace and immediately hunted Diaz down.

The Dubliner, who went into the tie on a 15-fight win streak, landed a huge left-hand flush on Diaz's chin in the opening seconds of the round.

The 27-year-old, who recording a devastating TKO victory over Jose Aldo in his last outing, was very relaxed in the opening exchanges and threw a number of flashy shots.

McGregor held the centre of the Octagon and forced Diaz to fight on the back foot.

The former Cage Warriors featherweight champion landed a number of big left hooks on Diaz and opened him up with a minute-and-a-half left on the clock.

And shortly after that, he put Diaz on his back with a big takedown just before the buzzer.

McGregor started the second round the same way he began the first and came out swinging.

The UFC's no.3 ranked pound-for-pound fighter stalked the Ultimate Fighter season five winner and continued to find a home for his left hook.

And his success on the feet prompted him to talk trash to Diaz, who was a bloody mess.

But moments after mouthing off, the featherweight champion was wobbled when Diaz landed a vicious combination.

Those shots rocked McGregor and forced him to shoot for a takedown to try and buy some recovery time.

However, Diaz didn't allow him that time and sunk in a nasty Rear-Naked choke to hand 'The Notorious' his first defeat in the UFC.

(dailystar.co.uk)

www.ann.az

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