Just a day after Nate Diaz claimed that his preference for his next opponent was lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos, some major developments for UFC 200 have broken via Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com, and Nate is going to have to wait for that title shot.
According to a number of Helwani's sources, the UFC plans to make the rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz the headline fight of the historic night that UFC 200 promises to be.
The UFC is close to finalizing a non-title welterweight rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz for the July 9 card, MMAFighting.com has learned from multiple sources. If all goes as planned, the promotion is hoping to announce the fight shortly.
Wow.
Firstly, Frankie Edgar is going to want Dana White's head on a stick, as he has once again been overlooked for the shot at McGregor that he is so desperate for. And secondly, the main event of UFC 200 is going to be a non-title fight? That seems crazy. Of course, the UFC have made it very difficult for themselves to ever have Conor McGregor fight on anything below the headline position on a card, but still.
While Diaz did say that he wants a title shot, mainly because he was never offered a rematch after some close losses, he did also say that he would do what the fans want, and would happily fight McGregor again in that case. The fight will supposedly be at welterweight too, which is frankly bizarre and a big risk for Conor McGregor, as if he were to lose to Nate Diaz again, it's going to look very bad for the Dubliner.
This news also means that Rafael Dos Anjos will likely defend his lightweight belt against someone other than McGregor or Diaz, depending on how his broken foot heals, which shows just how many implications these reports have for fighters who are not involved. Does this mean Conor will vacate the featherweight title? There are so many questions.
The fights already confirmed on the UFC 200 card so far are Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne and Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson, but now it looks as though the McGregor vs Diaz rematch will headline the event.
We await official confirmation, which we will bring to you as soon as it is made clear.
[via MMAFighting.com]
