Nate Diaz's MMA Career Comes Full Circle with Conor McGregor Rivalry

Since Nate Diaz's UFC debut in 2007, when he won The Ultimate Fighter 5, he hasn't been shy about expressing his opinions or sticking up for perceived injustices. Even after defeating Conor McGregor at UFC 196 on March 5, Diaz didn't mince words.

During the post-fight press conference, Diaz mentioned how the UFC had promoted McGregor and helped make him a star. Before he faced McGregor, Diaz hadn't fought on pay-per-view since 2011. He thought he deserved better.

"I just wish I had the same push, the same help," Diaz said. "I've been in this a long time. It's been nine years. This was like my 25th fight here in the UFC. I've been the last few years curious when this is going to pay off. I think it's time. Now, it's time."

Yes, it is. Diaz lost his rematch to McGregor on Saturday night via majority decision at UFC 202 in Las Vegas. Two judges scored the fight 48-47 for McGregor. The third had it 47-47. Still, the way Diaz hung in there, withstood McGregor's early leg kicks and remained aggressive, he proved he's a main event guy and big draw.

Diaz did it all despite, according to him, having injured his knee about a month ago and not being able to train jiu-jitsu since then. Two weeks ago, he hurt his ribs while sparring with welterweight boxer Alan Sanchez. Diaz told reporters he wasn't making any excuses, though. He also wasn't satisfied.

(Warning: Video contains NSFW language.)

"I thought I won that fight," he told UFC announcer Joe Rogan in a post-fight interview. "They can't have a motherf--ker like me winning. I'm too real for this sport. They're going to get me out when they can, but it's all good, though."

Facing McGregor twice has helped revive Diaz's career, raise his profile and make him relevant to a wider audience. After Diaz beat Michael Johnson via unanimous decision Dec. 19 in Diaz's first fight in more than a year, he was already looking ahead. Diaz had lost three of his last four bouts, but he was impressive throughout and confident afterward. During an in-cage interview with Rogan, Diaz launched an expletive-filled rant, calling out McGregor.

"Conor McGregor, you're taking everything I worked for, motherf--ker," Diaz said. "I'm going to fight your f--king ass. You know what the real fight, what the real money fight, is: me. Not these clowns that you already punked at the press conference. Don't no one want to see that. You know you've beat them already. That's the easy fight. You want that real s--t right here."

Still, Diaz had to wait his turn. McGregor signed to face lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 196. McGregor had won the featherweight title at UFC 194 on Dec. 12, when he knocked out Jose Aldo with a left hand to the chin 13 seconds into the first round. With that stunning punch, McGregor snapped Aldo's 18-bout win streak and handed Aldo his first loss since November 2005.

McGregor vowed to become the first fighter to hold two UFC titles at the same time. But dos Anjos broke his left foot and pulled out 11 days before the bout. Diaz then got his shot, replacing dos Anjos on short notice. The two agreed to fight at 170 pounds—15 more pounds than the lightweight limit. It was the first time McGregor had fought at that weight.

Despite the lack of a training camp, Diaz was ready. He wasn't about to let his chance slip away against McGregor, who was undefeated (7-0) in UFC competition and had a 15-fight winning streak dating to 2010.

Diaz hadn't fought on pay-per-view since Dec. 30, 2011, when he beat Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision in what was dubbed the Fight of the Night. Since then, Diaz had fought exclusively on Fox and Fox Sports 1.

During the first round, McGregor landed a number of punches, causing Diaz to bleed profusely. Still, Diaz absorbed the blows and just kept coming at McGregor, who tired as the bout went on. Then Diaz locked in a rear-naked choke hold and made McGregor tap with 48 seconds remaining in the second round. Afterward, Diaz raised both arms and celebrated another performance of the night as blood poured down his face.

"I knew I was the superior boxer, the superior martial artist, superior jiu-jitsu," Diaz said during the post-fight news conference. "Like I said from the beginning, I have the best training partners in the world in every aspect—in boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and MMA. Nothing surprised me except for that I got hit at all. I think with a full camp, I would've been flawless, but it's whatever. I'm not surprised."

Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

A rematch with McGregor almost never happened.

On April 19, as he prepared to fight Diaz at UFC 200, McGregor tweeted his apparent retirement. Later that day, UFC President Dana White pulled McGregor from the fight, citing his refusal to leave his training camp in Iceland and promote the bout in Las Vegas as the reason for the disciplinary action.

Two months later, the sides settled their differences and signed a contract to stage Diaz-McGregor II as the main event of UFC 202. The histrionics heated up during Wednesday's press conference, with McGregor showing up more than a half-hour late. As McGregor spoke on the dais, Diaz walked off the stage, but he lingered in the back of the room. McGregor and Diaz continued taunting each other with expletives, double middle fingers and other insults. They even threw water bottles and cans of energy drinks.

(Warning: Video contains NSFW language.)

The UFC and MGM Grand then banned several members of Diaz's and McGregor's entourages from Saturday's fight. They missed an epic battle.

From the start, McGregor aimed at Diaz's right (front) foot and landed several kicks. McGregor knocked Diaz down with three minutes, 19 seconds left in the first round and twice more early in the second round. Each time, McGregor allowed Diaz to stand up. It was different than the first fight, after which McGregor said he was "inefficient with my energy" and too aggressive before he tired. McGregor was more patient this time, which nearly hurt him. By the end of the second round, Diaz had regrouped, caused McGregor to fall to the canvas and flexed his muscles to the crowd.

During the third round, numerous fans at T-Mobile Arena began chanting "Diaz, Diaz, Diaz." Diaz landed several punches late in the round and seemed to gain the upper hand, but neither fighter caved. Diaz wiped blood off his eyes and face numerous times and culminated the duel by taking down McGregor. McGregor had never fought a full five rounds, while Diaz had done so only once before, when he lost a unanimous decision to lightweight champion Benson Henderson in December 2012.

For their efforts, Diaz-McGregor II was named Fight of the Night. It may have been Fight of the Year, too. Making it more remarkable, both guys were injured. In addition to Diaz's ailments, McGregor hurt his ankle in training and confirmed to reporters he hurt his shin during the bout.

For all of McGregor's trash talk beforehand, he praised Diaz's toughness and durability late Saturday night.

"I'll tell you what, man: His face was opened up, and he [was] still just coming at me," McGregor said during his post-fight press conference (link contains NSFW language). "You've got to respect that. You've got to respect Nate and the style of fighting that he brings. How can you not?"

When McGregor spoke with Rogan in the cage, he said he wanted to fight Diaz again, albeit with one caveat: a 155-pound weight limit. The stipulation didn't seem to deter Diaz. He was eager for the trilogy.

"Hey, good job today, Conor," Diaz told Rogan. "But we're going for three. For real."

The third fight will likely have to wait, though. Before facing Diaz again, McGregor might defend his featherweight title or fight lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.

As for Diaz's next step? It's unclear.

He told reporters that he was looking forward to a fun night. He was smoking CBD oil out of a vape during his post-fight press conference. He and his brother, Nick, were also set to host a late-night party at the Light nightclub at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

"I'm going to go do my thing over there," Diaz said. "That's what winners do—finish my night off like a soldier."

Diaz could be forgiven for thinking about enjoying himself. It might be a while before he returns to the cage. Twice in the past three years he has taken more than a year off between fights. He could have another long hiatus. On Saturday night, he didn't seem eager to face anyone other than McGregor.

"Until then," Diaz told Rogan, "I ain't coming back."