The UFC have confirmed that Conor McGregor is to fight Nate Diaz at UFC 196 next month.
McGregor was originally scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos in a Lightweight title fight, but he is to move up yet another weight and fight Diaz at 170 pounds.
Here. We. Go. 👊 💥#UFC196 pic.twitter.com/CKhB74aUW8
— UFC (@ufc) February 24, 2016
Diaz last fought in December and was quick to call out McGregor in the aftermath. He will get his wish on March 5th.
The fight is the first in the UFC since 2005 that will headline an event that also has a title fight on the card. On that occasion, Tito Ortiz and Vitor Belfort met in the main event of UFC 51. That card also included two title fights.
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani revealed overnight that the UFC wanted the fight at a catchweight but McGregor was insistent on the fight happening at Welterweight.
Some backstory to a wild 24 hours: Nate Diaz was always the top choice here but getting below 165 on such short notice was one issue. ...
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2016
... They came back with 160 pounds but that was going to be an issue too so Diaz stood firm at 165 pounds. ...
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2016
... In the end, the weight or opponent never mattered to McGregor. That's the truth. So it was set. A couple hours go by ...
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2016
... Plans now being made to get them together in LA tomorrow, which will happen. McGregor is on the phone with UFC execs. ...
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2016
... McGregor adds one more note:
"Make it 170," he says. "Tell him to get comfortable."
The fight is made. At welterweight. #ufc196
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2016
