McGregor Granted Diaz Rematch at UFC 200

Conor McGregor will get another chance to prove himself as a welterweight after being granted a rematch with Nate Diaz on the UFC 200 card in Las Vegas on July 9th.

American Diaz (19-10) handed McGregor his first loss in the Ultimate Fighting Championship earlier this month when he chocked the featherweight champion into submission at UFC 196.

UFC boss Dana White posted a picture on Twitter of the two men above the caption “200” upon announcing the headline bout late on Wednesday.

White later told ESPN SportsCenter he and UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta had encouraged McGregor (19-3) not to fight at 170 pounds, 25 more than the trash-talking 27-year-old’s usual featherweight limit.

“He was obsessed- obsessed with fighting Nate Diaz again,” White said.

“Obviously, Lorenzo and I tried to argue with him and said, ‘Let’s go back to 145 and defend your title. Or if you really want the Diaz fight that bad, do it at 155.’ He wants the fight at 170.

“Even his coach tried to get him to get off the rematch and off the 170-pound fight... but it’s what he wanted.”

McGregor had hurt Diaz early in their first bout in Las Vegas but could not capitalise and the bigger man landed some punishing blows himself before his jiu-jitsu talents won him the fight.

White said Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar would also square off on the UFC 200 card, with the winner then taking on McGregor for the featherweight belt regardless of the Irishman’s result against Diaz.

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Diaz and McGregor Trade Trash Talk

Nate Diaz has accused Conor McGregor of steroid abuse as the trash talk between the two fighters heats up ahead of their upcoming clash at UFC 196.

Diaz made the accusation about McGregor as well as the entire UFC roster at Wednesday night’s press conference ahead of the March 5th fight.

“Everybody’s on steroids,” Diaz said. “The whole UFC, everybody.”

“Your teammate Gil (Melendez) and Jake (Sheilds) were two caught on steroids,” McGregor responded.

“And you and dos Anjos,” Diaz continued.

In typical McGregor-style the Dublin fighter told reporters and fans that his rivals are in fear of him.

“Nate for me was the leading auction, there were many, many auctions. In reality, many people pretended like they wanted to fight until the fight actually presented itself,” he said.

“Frankie [EDGAR]never shut-up, and then when he was given a phone call and a date, he hasn’t been seen or heard of since.

“Jose [ALDO]was in camp apparently preparing, in case Dos Anjos pulled out. Then all of a sudden Dos Anjos pulls out with a bruised foot and Jose is not fit.

“Even Nate tried to exit the fight cleanly.

“It’s always happening…they always pull out, they always run. They always make it out like they want it, but really they don’t want it. I was expecting it.”

Dos Anjos is the sixth fighter to withdraw from fighting McGregor in his last 12 fights.

“It doesn’t matter what weight division or anything, or what belt is on the line because really I should create my own belt. I am in myself my own belt. I’m fighting for my own belt.”

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McGregor Set for $100m UFC Payday

UFC chief Lorenzo Fertitta has predicted that Ireland's Conor McGregor will be the first star of mixed martial arts to earn $100m.

The UFC chairman and CEO told ESPN that the new featherweight champion would be "our first $100 millionaire."

Paperwork filed with the Nevada Athletic Commission revealed that the Crumlin fighter earned was paid $500,000 for the fight against Aldo. He also gets a $40,000 bonus paid by the UFC for the Reebok outfitting deal and a $50,000 bonus from the UFC for the performance of the night.

His earning will also be boosted by a cut from the revenue made from the record breaking pay-per-view figures.

Fertitta wouldn't be drawn on a final figure for what McGregor earned last weekend but believed that his 13-second KO of Jose Aldo left fans 'wanting more'.

Fertitta's comments come as his brother, and co-owner of the UFC, Frank is scrutinised after he was seen slamming the featherweight belt on camera as McGregor sent Aldo to the canvas within seconds of the fight beginning.

McGregor could face a six-month medical suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, pending an X-ray on his left wrist.

His next fight promises to be another big pay day with a Jose Aldo rematch, a bout with featherweight challenger Frankie Edgar and a shot at the lightweight belt all on the cards.

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