Stephen Thompson waits for the decision after his title fight against welterweight champion Tyron Woodley during UFC 209 on March 4, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Woodley retained his title with a majority-decision win. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor are one of the greatest rivals in the history of the UFC
Nate Diaz made an entertaining comeback at UFC 263, when he faced Leon Edwards. ‘The Stockton Slugger’ was making a return to the Octagon after almost 2 years.
Despite being dominated by Edwards throughout the fight, he shifted gears in the very last minute of the 5th round. Diaz almost had Edwards knocked out, only for the Brit to be saved by the bell.
Diaz was appreciated and lauded for the jollies he provided, especially towards the end of the fight.
Speaking about Diaz in an interview with Submission Radio, fellow welterweight Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson had a suggestion for Diaz.
He claimed that the West Coast Gangster would fare well in the lightweight division, while also bringing up Diaz’s rival Conor McGregor.
Thompson was quoted as saying:
“I thought he did better work at lightweight, for sure. The only person he beat was Conor McGregor at 170 but Conor’s not a natural 170 guy. I don’t know if there’s any other 170 that he’s fought and beat but I think he should go back down to lightweight for sure. I think he should go back down to 155. I think he’s better that way, his body’s built for it. He’s taller, he’s longer than everybody else in that division. Go back to 155 man, I think you’ll do better off there for sure.”
McGregor wouldn’t have had the faintest idea that he would be facing his first UFC loss against Nate Diaz.
‘The Irishman’ was in fact scheduled to face Rafael dos Anjos in a lightweight bout at UFC 196. Due to an injury, Dos Anjos had to pull out and Diaz stepped in on extremely short notice.
The fight went ahead as a welterweight bout and not many gave Diaz a chance to win. But he did the unthinkable and pulled off a massive upset victory against McGregor.
The pair went on to rematch at UFC 202. This time McGregor somehow managed to beat Diaz, winning via. a majority decision.
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