Further reading
Here’s Les Carpenter on Nate Diaz – a rare underdog after UFC 196: one who remains a villain.
Then Josh Gross tells how Ronda Rousey is ready to exploit the UFC vacuum left by Miesha Tate’s win.
Final thoughts on McGregor's defeat
On the list of things that could’ve gone wrong for Conor McGregor, getting choked by Nate Diaz was perhaps the least surprising. What we know now is this: Conor McGregor should stay away from 170 lbs. Nate Diaz is a fairly weak welterweight compared to the top of the division. Robbie Lawler would take years off McGregor’s life if they fought. Where could the Irishman be best? Lightweight. And that’s where he should probably fight next, but is he worthy of a title shot in another weight division in the face of getting stopped in the second round? I say no. McGregor should focus on 145. Frankie Edgar. Jose Aldo. Those are the guys that should be on the tip of his tongue, and if he can make the weight without risking his health this is where he should focus himself the rest of 2016.
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Shock inside the arena as people are trying to come to grips with the idea McGregor has lost. A small group of Diaz fans holding black t-shirts march through the stands celebrating his victory but there isn’t any great sense of agitation or anger among the McGregor fans. Mostly people seem stunned. It’s not loud in here, no great roar, just an odd sensation that something happened that no one expected.
Nate Diaz beats Conor McGregor!!!
Nate Diaz pulls off a HUGE shock! McGregor swings and misses a spinning back kick. The cut around Diaz’s eye is fine and doesn’t appear to be hurting his vision. McGregor continues to advance and press. Diaz has held up well against McGregor’s power. He waits for McGregor to wade in and locks up around his waist. Ninety seconds into the second and the right side of Diaz’s face is covered in blood. McGregor is going for it now. Kick to the midsection followed by a jab to Diaz. Diaz’s size is paying off now. McGregor was hurt by a straight left. He’s clearly felt Diaz’s power and is succumbing to the realities of fighting 25 lbs above his championship weight. Diaz is pouring it on. He’s working McGregor over on the clinch. McGregor is throwing everything he’s got and Diaz is turning it on. McGregor takes a desperation shot and Diaz is operating from full mount. Here’s comes Diaz with a rear-naked choke. It’s over! Nate Diaz has defeated Conor McGregor.
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Conor McGregor v Nate Diaz: Round one
No touching of the gloves, lots of jawing. This will be fun. McGregor switches stances, swings and mises on a big left hand. McGregor lands a solid left. The featherweight champion is looking for damaging shots early. Diaz pushes McGregor into the fence and is working him in the clinch. McGregor wings as they separate. McGregor is talking to Diaz. McGregor keeps looking for an overhand left. He’s missed badly a few times. Diaz slapped at McGregor as the Irishman closed ground. McGregor throws a hard leg kick that lands. Midway through the first and McGregor unfurls a pretty uppercut. Diaz is standing up well to McGregor’s power so far. Diaz scores a left of his own. He’s slapping away, mixing in short hooks and jabs. But McGregor is entirely relaxed as he stalks his gazelle. McGregor slips a jab and shakes his head. Diaz is cut up above his right eye. McGregor kicks and Diaz catches it into an easy takedown. The featherweight champion reverses and finishes the first of five rounds on top of the Californian.
Guardian’s unofficial scorecard: 10-9 McGregor.
In the end the lack of a title doesn’t detract from the spectacle does it? No matter where he goes, regardless of weight, it’s the McGregor show.
Diaz should be about 10 lbs heavier than McGregor. That size disparity could be most apparent on the floor, where Diaz is his most dangerous.
Ireland has once again come to Las Vegas, courtesy of Mr Conor McGregor. The whole week has been dominated by Conor time, and he’s taken his sweet time to step into the MGM Grand Garden Arena as his music plays. Images of McGregor’s ring walk hit the screen, and Mystic Mac holds the Irish flag over his head.
And we have our first sight of McGregor. You will be surprised to hear he looks ... confident.
The women delivered in a big way ahead of the evening’s main event. Now Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz are about to settle their differences in the cage.
While Miesha Tate celebrates her victory and is interviewed in the octagon, Holly Holm forlornly walked away led by a small crowd of security guards who took her quietly through the crowd. A few minutes before she had entered to huge applause and now she was almost invisible as she left. A few fans noticed her leaving and leaned in with cellphones to photograph her. But otherwise the great women’s champion of the UFC for the last several months departed UFC 196 as if she had already been forgotten.
Somewhere Ronda Rousey is smiling. If styles make fights, Rousey would seem to have the perfect antidote to Tate, whom she already defeated twice. But what happens for the women at 135? Tate-Rousey? Rousey-Holm?
I’ve been splitting time tonight between the press room and the arena. The atmosphere tonight is very different than for December’s UFC 194 when McGregor beat Aldo. That crowd was filled with Irish McGregor fans and they sang and changed for much of the night. You knew it was a McGregor crowd. Many of the McGregor fans here are American and the tone is completely different. It’s more subdued.
A telling moment came in an earlier fight tonight when an Irish fan stood on his seat and tried desperately to start an “Ole Ole Ole” chant. His shouts were met with silence and he had to slink back into his chair as people around him laughed at his failure.
The same was true during Friday’s weigh-in. Instead of a completely-filled MGM Grand Garden Arena where fans had waited from sunrise to watch a late afternoon weigh-in, the stands were half-filled and nobody lined up early to get in.
Tate on her victory: “I knew I had to finish the fight. I had to find that perfect time. I had to be perfect in the fifth.
“She went out like a champion. I have so much respect for this woman. I want to thank her for stepping in here tonight and giving everything she had.”
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Miesha Tate beats Holly Holm!
Tate is forced to push for advantages, and eats a left straight. The champion is making the most of exchanges, especially as they disengage, with kicks to the Tate’s midsection. Tate ducks under a heavy left, but can’t finish the takedown. Holm has done a much better job of this since the third. The champion’s size is a difference maker here. A front kick from Tate scores, and they seem to be opening up some. Tate swarmed into a takedown, grabbing Holm’s waist and twisting it down to the floor. But Holm stands and Tate grabs Holm’s neck. The rear-naked choke is there for her! Tate holds on as Holm slings her to the floor and the champion is strangled unconscious. Miesha Tate is the new UFC bantamweight champion!
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Holly Holm v Miesha Tate: round four
The champion Holm is pacing in her corner. Tate stands stoic. And action resumes. Tate will have to do more than she did in the third. Tate may keep it simple. Short jabs and left straights have been her best weapons thus far. Tate grabs a side kick and tries to push Holm into the fence, but the champion did well to turn away from the fence. Holm had Tate locked in a clinch and disengaged. They’re at distance again in the center of the Octagon with three minutes to go in the fourth. Holm went after Tate’s face with with a kick and missed, but Tate wasn’t able to counter it into a takedown. Holm sprawled hard on another takedown attempt and stood, that was terrific. That’s six of seven takedown attempts thus far denied. The one time it wasn’t was terrible for Holm, so you can why she is working so hard to remain standing. Tate’s offense isn’t there again, and Holm’s still has her feet under her. A strong combination from Holm at the end of the round seals this period for the champion.
Guardian’s unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Holm.
The enthusiasm picked up in the arena for the Holm-Tate fight. There are clear fan divisions here with the vast majority of the fans supporting Holm and chanting her name with a smaller but more vocal group backing Tate. When Tate pulled Holm down in the second round and had her pinned to the canvas the shouts of “Miesha Miesha, Miesha” filled the stands.
With each landed punch the crowd seems to grow more excited and agitated. at the same time. There was a definite edge as Holm looked helpless to defend herself in the second. Through the third round that strange tension has continued to fill the arena.
Holly Holm v Miesha Tate: round three
Holm comes out with a low crouch. Will she kick the rest of the way? Both fighters approached the first minute of the middle period with an easy pace. Tate wings a left straight that just misses. Holm sits down on a counter and pops Tate’s head with a punch. She sat on that one. Tate wanted to duck under a punch for a takedown and Holm denied her. Important for Holm, who was outclassed on the floor in the second. With two minutes to go in the third, however, Holm appears in control. Tate has not pressed the action, and she may be looking for a late rush to influence the judges. A straight left bounces off Tate’s mouth. They briefly mix it up and Holm ends the sequence with a crowded side kick to Tate’s stomach. The challenger misses badly on a takedown attempt. Holm would appear to have seized control of the fight again.
Guardian unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Tate
Holly Holm v Miesha Tate: Round two
Tate shows more initiative to start the second, and nearly ate a counter left punch to the mouth. Great timing by Tate to dodge a punch and put Holm down on the floor. Tate moves to side control and this is exactly what she wants. The challenger is working on advancing position and landing shots. Ninety seconds into the second and Tate is working from half guard. Holm does not look comfortable on the bottom. Tate hasn’t tried to secure full guard, and she’s exerting a lot of energy to get off her back. But no dice. Tate is isolating Holm’s left arm, while offering elbows and short strikes from the top. Tate postures up and has taken full control of the fight. Holm goes to her knees and the champion is in a very dangerous spot. Tate is going for a choke. Can she finish? No! Tate has a minute to work but she’s looking for the finish now.
What a round for @MieshaTate!!!!!! #UFC196 https://t.co/hfM0UUs7cY
— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 6, 2016
Very, very dangerous for Holm here, but the champion hasn’t given in. Impressive effort by Holm to survive. Twenty seconds to go and Tate doesn’t look like she’ll finish. But it was a great five minute stretch for the challenger.
Guardian’s unofficial scorecard: 10-8 Tate.
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Holly Holm v Miesha Tate: Round one
The first significant engagement of the bantamweight title fight occurred after the opening minute. Holm tossed out a left straight and a side kick. Tate isn’t pressing the issue, and she attempted to turn a Holm kick into a takedown, which was defended. Tate, though, scored a left hook as they disengaged. Midway through the first Holm bullied Tate, slamming a punch into her mouth and shoving the challenger backwards. Holm is keeping a low crouch, firing off jabs and kicks with her lead leg. Again Holm pressed forward, starting with a lead left, leading to some redness around Tate’s left cheek. Holm hasn’t stayed in one spot—in fact she’s been moving since she stepped in the octagon several minutes ago. Tate has to mix it up on the inside, and that’ll mean waiting for Holm to attack. High kick from Holm was blocked, but memories of the shot that finished Ronda Rousey sure linger.
Guardian unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Holm
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Holly Holm comes skipping into the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The champ looks focused and eager to step in the cage.
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Johnny Manziel is in the arena. And he’s been pictured with Jon Jones. What could go wrong with those two together?
Holly Holm and Miesha Tate are on deck
Holly Holm’s first UFC bantamweight title defense is up next. The 34-year-old has been tremendous in the aftermath of her destruction of Rousey—one of the most stunning finishes in UFC title history. Miesha Tate is a hard-nosed challenger, but if Holm is on her game it’s difficult to imagine Tate engineering a game plan to ruin the Rousey rematch.
Latifi beats Villante by UD
The third straight decision on the pay-per-view comes to a close with Ilir Latifi taking a clear decision. The musclebound 5’ 10” Latifi from Malmo, Sweden control Villante each of the fight’s three rounds, mixing up takedowns with several heavy right hands. Villante didn’t put together much offensively other than a kick here or there, but he failed to answer Latifi’s pressure. Judges cageside saw the contest 30-27 for Latifi, the same as Guardian.
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Latifi catches Villante midway through the round, then misses with a big roundhouse. That’s followed up with another big swing and a miss - an upper cut this time. But it’s been Latifi’s round, and fight. Villante survives but the judges are likely to give the fight to his opponent.
Latifi is the more effective fighter in round two. Taking Villante to the ground on a few occasions. If it goes to the judges, then Latifi is the favorite. On to the third ...
Now THAT is a takedown! @LatifiMMA #UFC196 https://t.co/Ij0ZeAXN2Z
— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 6, 2016
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The first three fights on the PPV haven’t brought much energy. Latifi and Villante are two big, powerful light heavyweights and could change that, but so far this McGregor crowd hasn’t had much of a chance to yell during the main card.
Meanwhile, Holly Holm is getting ready ...
The champ @HollyHolm prepares to defend her belt for the first time! #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/F6zkLcTGKu
— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 6, 2016
Corey Anderson beats Tom Lawlor by UD
Off the opening bell of their light heavyweight fight, Tom Lawlor pounced on Corey Anderson, a -300 favorite, setting up the potential for an upset of a solid prospect. However two of the three judges still saw the opening round for Anderson, and the trio was unanimous in favoring the 26-year-old up-and-comer out of Rockford, Ill. (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Lawlor returned to the light heavyweight division last July after campaigning at 185 pounds, and off his wild knockout of Gian Villante (who fights next against Ilir Latifi) was given a pay-per-view slot. He seemed to do enough to warrant some consideration from the judges. I saw the bout 29-28 for Lawlor, though the second round was extremely close and could have been scored 10-10 without much discussion. For Anderson, now 9-1, this was an important result as he continues to climb the 205lbs ranks.
Both men raise their arms at the end of the fight. Lawlor had a great start but Anderson worked his way back into the fight. Let’s see what the judges decide ... and Anderson takes it by UD.
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The Irish fans are in full voice already - and Conor is barely in the building. Meanwhile, Lawlor comes out strong again in the second round and ends it with another barrage of blows. Anderson wasn’t expecting this.
Lawlor rocks Anderson with a flurry of blows in the first round - and it looks like we have an upset on our hands. But Anderson regroups and steadies himself to see out the round. This is a lot closer than we thought it would be heading into the second round though ...
Tom Lawlor and Corey Anderson are now in the octagon for their light heavyweight fight. Anderson the heavy favorite in this one.
On the pay-per-view broadcast UFC color commentator Joe Rogan notes Tom Lawlor’s entrance to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” is a first for the promotion. Leave it to Lawlor, a ham who stepped on the scale at Friday’s weigh-in dressed as Conor McGregor.
Tom Lawlor with his best Conor McGregor stickers on as he faces Corey Anderson #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/t3VPtCChwo
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 5, 2016
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Inevitably, Gerard Butler has turned up because he is contractually obliged to be within 20 yards of any violence anywhere in the world. Just in case he needs to step in and save the President or something:
Look who we found! @GerardButler in the house! #UFC196 https://t.co/VNZwjMoCM8
— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 6, 2016
Amanda Nunes defeats Valentina Shevchenko
Amanda Nunes put enough distance between herself and Valentina Shevchenko during the first 10 minutes of their three round fight to take a deserved decision. Nunes, a 27-year-old Brazilian, has worked her way to top contender status in Holly Holm’s division, but fading in the third round against Shevchenko may take some luster off her unanimous decision win (29-28, 29-27, 29-27) for Nunes. Two judges scored the second round 10-8 for Nunes, which lines up with the Guardian’s score of the fight. I saw it 29-27 for Nunes, winner of three in a row inside the Octagon since changing champs to train with American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla.
“This is a very tough fight for me because I never fight three rounds,” Nunes said. “This is a big test for my career to the next step.”
She’ll be watching the Holm-Tate as close as anyone later tonight.
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He’s arrived! Just as Hope Solo is settling down to watch the event from her bed (it’s not that late).
No ... No ... No ... Notorious!!! @TheNotoriousMMA is in the house! #UFC196 https://t.co/HJaXSqnH5E
— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 6, 2016
Thanks @ufc -- ready to go with Fight Pass! #UFC196 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/gtuwnrfsqQ
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) March 6, 2016
Nunes v Shevchenko is underway, and Nunes is on top already. Meanwhile, we have another arrival for the fight. McGregor vs. GSP would blow the roof off everywhere:
Look who's in the building for #UFC196!! @GeorgesStPierre https://t.co/rtjIO1M7kf
— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 6, 2016
Proof that eating a bit more is good for your looks:
Top: Conor McGregor weighing 145lbs on Dec 11th for the Aldo fight.
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) March 5, 2016
Bottom: Conor McGregor weighing 168lbs today. pic.twitter.com/T2VSzs35tb
A little poll we conducted earlier, do you agree?
Worst loss for McGregor's status?
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) March 5, 2016
Seeing as the main card is now up and running, we should have a proper intro:
There are two big mixed martial arts fights in Las Vegas tonight. In the main event, the one and only Irishman Conor McGregor takes not one but two steps up in weight classes to fight veteran Nate Diaz at 170 pounds. It’s not the title fight McGregor lobbied for and received against UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, but as a replacement fight on two week’s notice all parties involved couldn’t have done better.
Leading up to the McGregor-Diaz spectacle, UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm will defend her title for the first time since dethroning Ronda Rousey in Australia.
Interesting to see Holly Holm recast as a knockout artist. 33 boxing wins, just 9 KOs. #UFC196
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) March 6, 2016
In total, five fights makeup the UFC 196 bill from the MGM Grand Garden Arena:
McGregor vs. Diaz (170 lbs)
Holm vs. Tate (135 lbs)
Gian Villante vs. Ilir Latifi (205 lbs)
Corey Anderson vs. Tom Lawlor (205 lbs)
Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko (135 lbs)
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Is there a better dressed man in sports than Conor McGregor? He’s typically dapper as he makes his way to the fight:
Cruising to the office. #FightNight #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/qumGHvujKU
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 6, 2016
In the preliminary fights Vitor Miranda beat Marelo Guimaraes on a TKO early in the second round of their middleweight fight. It was Miranda’s third-straight knockout giving him the UFC’s second-longest knockout streak behind Conor McGregor’s five.
Here’s what he had to say after:
I’m honored to hear that I’m second for the UFC’s longest active knockout streak (McGregor – 5, Miranda – 3), I’m going to keep working hard until I am first on that list. I’d like to fight as soon as possible, I’d love to be on that Curitiba card in May. It is very close to my hometown and I get the chills just thinking about all of my supporters who could attend. Then, next on my list is getting into the top-15 in the division.
You may have read back in January, Conor McGregor saying that he and Jesus – who you will remember from popular bestseller The Bible – ‘are cool’. It appears Jesus has no problems with that statement and will be watching proceedings with interest this evening:
Conor did say Gods respect Gods.....#UFC196 pic.twitter.com/6bw0a76qH1
— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 6, 2016
Tonight’s timetable: the main card is due to start at 10pm ET/3am GMT. Holly Holm should be in action around 11.30pm ET/4.30am GMT and McGregor is on after that. But times will vary depending on stunning three-second knockouts/Donald Trump showing up to fight Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz in a free for all.
Meanwhile, Nate Diaz has turned up and is walking quite slowly through a car park:
Stockton stand up!! @NateDiaz209 has arrived for #UFC196 https://t.co/Q8GzzSYAEq
— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 6, 2016
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Josh will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s his preview of tonight’s main event:
Tonight in Las Vegas, Irish star Conor McGregor was scheduled to fight for history. Two UFC titles around one waist. That was the 27-year-old’s intention as he pushed his promoter, Zuffa, to a place it had never gone before.
McGregor captured the featherweight belt from long-reigning José Aldo in 13 seconds late last year. It was an incredible thing to witness – timing, speed and power meeting a moment – and a massive moneymaker for the UFC and Mystic Mac, who has called many of his shots. Off the strength of his results and charisma, UFC heeded McGregor’s call and matched its 145lb champion against its 155lb champion, Rafael dos Anjos, with the lightweight belt on the line.
It looked very much like McGregor asked for and received the toughest challenge he could find, a highly admirable trait among champion prizefighters, and then the rock steady Brazilian cracked his left foot on the knee of a sparring partner 15 days before the 5 March pay-per-view contest at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
One day after news broke that Dos Anjos couldn’t compete, the UFC nimbly salvaged McGregor’s spot on the card by announcing he would fight Nate Diaz 25lbs above his championship weight. Diaz has already fought at welterweight several times, and is the naturally bigger guy. Unquestionably the switch in opponent remains a significant test for McGregor, who is likely to be next to challenge welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, possibly this summer at UFC 200, if action falls in his favor on the weekend. If it does not, McGregor may have to forget scaling weight classes for a stretch and retreat to featherweight, where a hard weight cut once again becomes an issue.
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