Conor McGregor vs. Rafael Dos Anjos was supposed to be a dream matchup for mixed martial arts fans. Standing UFC champions from different weight classes set to battle, something that had not taken place since B.J. Penn fought Georges St-Pierre in 2009.
Alas, it goes back to being a dream — at least for a while longer as Dos Anjos suffered a foot injury during training that forced him to withdraw from the March 5 fight at UFC 196 less than two weeks before the bout.
Enter Nate Diaz.
The 31-year-old outspoken American fighter (19-10) beat out bids from former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis and Denver’s own Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone to get a chance at the Irish star.
And .
It’s an interesting matchup. This will also be a welterweight (170 pounds) fight. That’s right, McGregor (19-2), the featherweight champion (145 pounds) is moving up two weight classes for the bout. McGregor has never fought at that weight.
Diaz also has a 3-inch height advantage, but McGregor is coming in with a full camp under his belt. Oddsmakers are giving a big advantage to McGregor. Bovada.lv has McGregor at -400, meaning a $400 bet would net just $100.
It’s not just in the ring. These are two of the biggest trash talkers in the game. If they had a full tour to push the fight, the quote sheet would be a mile long.
Just take a look at some excerpts from :
• McGregor on jumping weight classes: “I should create my own belt. … it doesn’t matter. Featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, it’s the McGregor belt.”
• McGregor on weight classes: “The only weight I care about is my damn check. And my checks are always super heavyweight.”
• McGregor on Dos Anjos’ injury: “I looked at the picture Dos Anjos put up and it’s a bruise. I heard ice works wonders.”
• McGregor on his paycheck: “I’m motivated by movement. I’m motivated by money. I’m motivated by the movement of money.”
• Diaz on his approach to the fight: “I’m just going to kill or be killed. That’s what I’m coming with.”
• Diaz to McGregor on their fight: “Congratulations to you, mother-f——, I’m the show.”
• Diaz on his purse for the fight: “I’ll probably go and buy a whole bunch of nice shoes.”
• Diaz, um, just randomly: “Everybody’s on steroids. The whole UFC. Everybody.”
CHEW ON THIS
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WATCH THIS
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Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or @joenguyen
