Nate Diaz shocks the world and defeats Conor McGregor
NATE Diaz (USA, 20-10-0) defeated Conor McGregor (Ireland, 19-3-0) (rear naked choke) in the second round (4:12)
CONOR McGregor's unprecedented rise to the top of the UFC world has come to a devastating end.
In much the same way as Ronda Rousey was dethroned by Holly Holm, McGregor was finished in stunning fashion by Nate Diaz at UFC 196.
Jumping up two weight divisions after winning the featherweight belt against Jose Aldo, McGregor found the bigger man too much to handle as he was submitted in the second round via rear naked choke.
'Oh. My. Goodness,' commentator Joe Rogan said. 'What a night, ladies and gentlemen. What a night. Wow.'
McGregor started well, getting the better of Diaz in the opening round. But the Stockton brawler caught McGregor with a couple of solid shots in the second round and McGregor showed his weaknesses.
FULL-MOUNT: Diaz unloads on McGregor from top position
He failed in a takedown attempt before allowing Diaz to mount his back — and from there it was only a matter of time before Diaz choked him out.
'I'm not surprised motherf*****s,' said Diaz, who was called up as a late replacement for injured lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. 'I knew it was going to be a slow start for me ... If I had a full camp I don't think I would have been touched.'
McGregor gave his opponent credit for taking the fight at short notice and labelled his own performance inefficient. 'I took the chance going to 170,' McGregor said.
Nate Diaz celebrates after defeating Conor McGregor.Source:Getty Images
'I'm humble in victory or defeat ... He was efficient, I wasn't efficient.
'These things happen, I'll lea, I'll grow. I'll face it like a man, like a champion and come back again.'
The upset, which followed Miesha Tate's shock win against Holm earlier in the night, completed a game-changing night for the UFC.
The future of the promotion's two biggest stars — McGregor and Rousey — are now up in the air.
McGregor still makes sense as a headliner for UFC 200 later this year, but you'd expect his visit to welterweight to be a one-stop trip. He still owns the featherweight belt so that could be defended against Frankie Edgar — or the dos Anjos fight which was originally planned may be revived.
The UFC will be regretting its decision to have Holm defend her belt against Tate. Dana White and co. banked on Holm winning and keeping interest in a big money rematch with Rousey high, but that's all changed now.
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