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UFC: Conor McGregor to fight Nate Diaz instead of Dos Anjos at 170 lbs
- Thread starter mentallyinept
- Start date
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And Conor walks around at a similar size to Nate. So he would have been cutting from 170+ to 155 instead of his normal 170- to 145 cut.
Basically, neither of these guys is going to cut to make weight.
This is also interesting because with the new USADA testing policies, you can no longer rehydrate with IVs, because they test for plastic particles that leech from IVs in the blood because IVs are used in blood doping. It's part of the reason Conor is moving up in weight, because he cuts really hard, and it can be dangerous to rehydrate orally, because it's not as efficient. Kidney problems are very common.
BigJonsson
Member
LookAtMeGo
Member
I think this will be a good fight. Regardless of how they act in front of the camera I think these guys respect each others fighting style.
My prediction is Conor with a left handed celtic cross KO in round 2.
My prediction is Conor with a left handed celtic cross KO in round 2.
He can just go to 155 or 145. Losing at 170 won't be the end of the world for him.
edit: here's some tweets from @arielhelwani
Honda didn't want to go up 10 lbs to fight Cyborg at catchweight, and here's Conor saying he don't give a fuck.
"Make it 170," he says. "Tell him to get comfortable."
Wow...
Wow...
Nate cuts to 155 he probably walks around at 170-175 maybe a tad more but not much more than that.
Surely if Diaz fights at this weight regularly he's going to have 10 or 15 lbs on McGregor once they get into the ring, by the time he reinflates after the weigh-in?
Conor will have basically no weight to cut here surely? Imo this is an instance where his massive self belief is causing him to bite off more than he can chew.
Conor will have basically no weight to cut here surely? Imo this is an instance where his massive self belief is causing him to bite off more than he can chew.
Ok fair enough. Guess it won't be a huge deal then.
If anything id say the height/reach and style matchup is the bigger concern for Connor.
Difference being Cyborg wasn't fighting in the UFC, but your point stands.
They both walk around at the same weight, give or take 5 pounds. No more than 180 for the both of them, considering Conor's recent gains.
you are only marketable as a fighter if you're winning. Conor has got some big balls to go up 25lbs from his usual fight weight to go against a journeyman like Diaz. If he loses, he has the excuse that it's not his weight class, but there will huge damage done to his brand over a fight he really doesn't need.
wait...diazes themselves are the exact counterexample to your point there, among many others. it's not boxing where unless you're undefeated you're an absolute scrub. and conor doesn't even have the invincible thing going either because he's lost before (to a scrub no less). don't see it as that huge of a risk really.
Collateral22
Member
Should be a good striking fight. Conor has a better fight IQ than Nate and is very precise. Won't have to cut more than a few pounds either since his natural weight is 175ish. Even if he does lose, I bet he still has RDA at 200 for LW title. That superfight is still a huge draw and putting it on that card means way more $$$. Good decision from the UFC though, out of Diaz, Cerrone and Pettis, Diaz is the best draw. Trash talking, bigger name, exciting. Conor KOs Cerrone before the first round ends and Pettis easily gets outstruck.
Exactly. Mostly reward and little risk. He makes at least a million dollars from this fight and ,even if he loses, it makes no difference to his FW title or title shot at LW. So provided he doesn't get his face mashed in really bad or gets severely hurt in some manner, he'll be up for another big payday title fight at UFC 200 if he wants.
BadAss2961
Member
I agree that he could recover from a loss here. It wouldn't compare to a Ronda level disaster.
But Conor is still a huge shit talker and marketed as a conqueror. He's the face of UFC now. Any loss would be a huge blow to that angle.
Diprosalic
Banned
that's fucking insane and sad.
this was the first ufc i was looking forward to since maybe 100.
this was the first ufc i was looking forward to since maybe 100.
Anyone know the time or a link to the presser it should be epic!
I should also clarify a loss to Diaz would not be Ronda levels of a fall. My point was fighting is a very serious business and guys get hurt. It only takes one clean shot to destroy a guys chin. If Conor got KO and lost his chin taking this fight will be complete stupidity. I think the UFC needs to be a little more careful with their talent. Conor taking a loss and making a recovery is no big deal.
AstroZombie
Banned
Stockton in the house!
Personality wise this is an interesting fight but Nate is not Nick in that he has a much weaker chin. I think he gets ko'd BUT if Diaz can get him to the ground a submission would be possible. The more I think about it the cooler it gets lol.
I can't wait to see Holly fight again. Miesha has a great chin, good wrestling has a history of surprising people, so overall this card is pretty amazing.
I can't wait to see Holly fight again. Miesha has a great chin, good wrestling has a history of surprising people, so overall this card is pretty amazing.
TickleMeElbow
Member
I have a feeling Diaz is going drag him to the ground and sub him.
Hopefully it's a banger though, whoever wins.
Hopefully it's a banger though, whoever wins.
Diaz brothers are not good wrestlers. I'd be shocked if this happens.
They both have very good BJJ, you don't need to be a wrestler to have a very strong ground game.
Shao Kahn on the Lawn
Member
His belt isn't directly at risk but a nasty beating can completely neuter a fighter and change their style forever. Look at GSP before and after the Serra upset: he was never the same.
BadAss2961
Member
Diaz Bros have too much pride in their boxing to play the grappler.. Nate's gonna stand and bang with him until he gets in trouble, no doubt. I'm sure he wants to prove himself the better striker.
Good news for Conor since he's in trouble if it goes to the ground.
TheOohChild
Member
I don't know. I think he just wants to kick Nate Diaz's ass
Agreed but poster said Nate would drag him to the ground. I doubt it. Nate has good BJJ but he's not great at getting the fight to the ground.
A broken foot is not 'ducking'.
TickleMeElbow
Member
If he can box McGregor towards the cage, I can see him dragging him down.
alpinestars1980
Member
Why do you people keep saying Diaz is a great trash talker?!
The dude barely speaks intelligible English.
Conor is gonna eat this dude up verbally and physically.
The dude barely speaks intelligible English.
Conor is gonna eat this dude up verbally and physically.
thechristoph
Sir!
Weight class manipulation is carny as fuuuuuck
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
The absurdity is inevitable. McGregor got to Aldo's head for sure but there's no fucking way dos Anjos was intimidated or afraid of Conor. The guy's an animal and has been on a roll.
-MD-
Member
lol...
starts at 4pm EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0Ze86N21ro
nick diaz will be attending as well
stock
ton
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
I have this strange suspicion it's going to be mellower and more subdued than people think. Of course Conor will run his mouth but that's his schtick. I expect Diaz to be stoned.
mentallyinept
Banned
Thanks for the link, added to the OP.
people really overestimate how much a loss affects a fighter.
this is the fight game. you are expected to lose. it happens.
the things that make conor an interesting fighter won't go away. his personality. his style.
conor will handle a loss really well too, he always seems rather humble after a fight, thanking his opponent, etc.
ronda will do bigger numbers after her loss. she's even more interesting now.
this is the fight game. you are expected to lose. it happens.
the things that make conor an interesting fighter won't go away. his personality. his style.
conor will handle a loss really well too, he always seems rather humble after a fight, thanking his opponent, etc.
ronda will do bigger numbers after her loss. she's even more interesting now.
Bam Bam Baklava
Member
I'm surprised people thought Dos Anjos was going to be some easy win. Have people seen the guy fight recently? He would have easily been the most dangerous opponent yet.
There's no manipulation. Diaz is a lightweight fighter who wasn't preparing to fight next week so he wouldn't be ready to make weight. This isn't a welterweight substituting for a featherweight, it's a not quite fight ready lightweight substituting for another lightweight.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
I thought it was 50/50. The longer it went, the more I think dos Anjos would be decisive. He'd maul Conor on the ground with elbows. Moreso than Mendez did. Dos Anjos' conditioning is second to none as well under Nick Curson. Diaz and Conor is an amusing matchup but unlike others, I'm not pumped for it nearly as much as the original fight.
Who was saying that? That person doesn't watch fights. Everyone was talking about how crazy it was for McGregor to go up to LW and challenge one of the hottest fighters in the UFC right now. Dos Anjos destroyed cowboy with ease I don't think anyone expected McGregor to have an easy win against him.
That Cowboy fight was really strange, Cowboy just didnt show up, I would love to know what lead up to that performance. Cowboy looked amazing the other night, I just don't think Dos Anjos is that good as Cowboy was so off.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Level of competition, look at it in your examples. Dos Anjos beat the champion Pettis 5 rounds to 0. He's getting better and better.
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