Watch the incredible video highlights from UFC 196 last night!
Watch the incredible video highlights from UFC 196 last night!
In what can only be described as pure insanity, Nate Diaz tonight (Sat., March 5, 2016) shocked the mixed martial arts (MMA) world, choking out the brash and brazen Featherweight champion, Conor McGregor, in less than two rounds in the UFC 196 pay-per-view (PPV) main event.
Diaz, who took the Welterweight bout on just 11 days notice, got off to a very slow start. In fact, it was all McGregor early, providing a variety of different looks to confuse the boxer, Diaz, who didn't back down from the Irishman. McGregor attacked with creative kicks and looked to land a left uppercut often, which appeared to be a focal point of his attack.
It was the left hand of McGregor, however, that did the most damage, opening a cut over Diaz's eye that soon began to gush blood. As the first round came to a close, Diaz was finally able to get the fight on his terms, the ground, but he ran out of time.
McGregor was once again the aggressor in round two, which would ultimately prove his undoing. In an exchange in the middle of the Octagon, Diaz torched him with a blistering combination that clearly rung the Irishman's bell. Diaz wasted no time, pushing McGregor to the fence and peppering him with short left hands along the cage. McGregor was able to escape, but Diaz soon rocked him with another series of shots that actually compelled him to shoot for a takedown.
Huge mistake.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt angled for a guillotine choke, but he was too bloody to get a firm grip once he rolled, allowing McGregor to escape the hold. Diaz, though, kept up the pressure, nailing him with a tremendous shot that forced him to roll to his belly. From that point forward it was all academic, as Diaz wrapped his long arms around McGregor's throat and forced him to tap rather than nap.
It was an incredible scene, one that won't soon be forgotten. Diaz essentially killed the king, denting his armor and sending him back to the 145-pound division with his tail between his legs. But, it won't stay there for long. McGregor was gracious in defeat -- at least for now -- and should be commended, too, for attempting to pack on 25 pounds to fight a very experienced, game and motivated opponent in Diaz.
For complete results from UFC 196: "McGregor vs. Diaz," including play-by-play updates, click here and here.
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