UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor 2 post-fight results and analysis

What a fight. WHAT A FIGHT. Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz gave us a thriller in March, and they gave us something even better than that tonight. I didn’t think Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit could be topped as 2016’s Fight of the Year, but Diaz vs. McGregor 2 probably is the new leader in the clubhouse in a year filled with unbelievably enthralling bouts.

I thought that Conor McGregor was finished after the way round 2 ended. He knocked Diaz down 3 times in the first 7-8 minutes, but the gas tank looked to be on empty and Diaz was pouring on the pressure. I thought for sure that McGregor was done at the end of round 3 when he was just about out on his feet. There was a brief moment where it looked like McGregor would be standing TKO’d. That didn’t happen.

Conor McGregor’s 4th round is the single greatest thing he’s done in his UFC career. He was on his way to 0-2 against Diaz and he dug deep, found that extra bit of quality, and assured himself a lead heading into round 5. Diaz clearly won the 5th as a spent Conor kept staring at the clock, but the job was done in round 4. It was either a draw (which is how I scored it, with a 10-8 3rd round for Diaz) or a McGregor win 48-47. Can’t see an argument for Diaz getting the 2nd round even though he finished well. He still got decked twice and his leg was getting peppered. I don’t think there’s any robbery call to be had here, folks.

Bravo to both men. Bravo. This was a big money fight and it provided us with excitement and high drama from start to finish.

More thoughts on tonight’s show:

Main Card We witnessed something special tonight, and even if there is a trilogy, whether at 170 or 155, this fight will be hard to duplicate. That said, McGregor vs. Aldo 2 better happen next, because that’s the other side story here. McGregor still has a belt to defend (or relinquish by not defending it) and I want to see Conor rematch Aldo. You’re lying if you say that fight doesn’t do much for you. McGregor really worked the leg kicks and body shots to full effect. It opened the door for him to score with those big left hands that dropped Diaz multiple times over. The end result was still very nearly a defeat, but I felt the strategy going into the bout was well done. I don’t want to make this too wordy because I’m mentally spent, but Nate …

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