Sunday 21 August 2016 12:29, UK
Conor McGregor brilliantly won his rematch with Nate Diaz after flooring him three times to claim a majority decision.
The Irishman faced adversity like never before as Diaz, who won their first fight in March, tested his endurance but McGregor had enough in the tank to earn a reputation-enhancing verdict at UFC 202 at welterweight, a full 25lbs above his regular weight class.
McGregor put on a masterclass of mixing kicks with his trademark punches in the first two rounds until Diaz threatened a comeback, which forced the UFC featherweight champion to show ruggedness that had never previously been drawn from him.
McGregor began the fight by frequently kicking Diaz's lead leg, which served to unbalance the American, before a straight left hand knocked him down heavily.
Diaz was back on the canvas twice more in the early moments of the second round after straight left punches by McGregor, whose trash talk was conspicuous by its absence.
With Diaz's leg bruised and his face bloodied, he sensed McGregor tiring in the middle rounds and pushed him backwards in scenes reminiscent of their first fight.
But McGregor's fitness was much improved this time, and he avoided a pair of fourth-round takedowns to maintain the fight on the feet where it suited him best.
The fifth round was unchartered territory for both men but McGregor had found a second wind and continued landing body punches which were accurate all night. The fight went to the ground for the only time in the closing moments when Diaz finally dragged McGregor down, but it was too late.
"I'm not surprised, the king is back," said McGregor. "The first few rounds proved the class difference. But that toughness and durability that he has crept back in the later rounds.
"Like my coach says, we win or we learn. I learned from the last contest.
"It's 1-1 - regroup, boy, we'll do it again. This time at 155lbs. I came up to 170lbs, faced the bigger man, overcame adversity. You want this trilogy? It's on my terms, come back down to 155."
