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Confident McGregor has adjustments in mind for Diaz rematch

3K views 73 replies 16 participants last post by  Soojooko 
#1 ·
I like his thought process. He's stepping out of his comfort zone even in failure. Test of a true warrior spirit. Weidman mentioned challenging a lhw opponent and that never materialized amongst others'. Only BJ, Anderson, Hendo, and a few others' did it successfully. I think the biggest upsets were Hendo vs Fedor and Manhoef vs Hunt.

LOS ANGELES -- Before the Nate Diaz rematch was pulled from UFC 200 and the whole "publicized civil war" with the promotion took place, the big question on Conor McGregor was whether that confidence and bravado that made him famous would remain fully intact after a humbling loss at UFC 196 in March.

Early indications suggest the answer is yes.

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In addition to his two obvious talents (fighting and talking), one thing that has come to define McGregor (19-3) is his risk-taking. He has accepted multiple last-minute opponent changes, even when it meant a championship was no longer on the line. Ahead of his submission loss to Diaz, McGregor agreed to a 170-pound weight limit despite training for a 155-pound bout against champion Rafael dos Anjos.

That mindset apparently has not changed; McGregor told ESPN.com he was adamant that the Diaz rematch take place at 170 pounds. McGregor is the current 145-pound featherweight champion and Diaz is a longtime 155-pound lightweight -- so, 170 seems unnecessarily high this time around. But McGregor wanted the exact same fight he lost.

"What kind of fighter would I be, if I said, 'Hey, I didn't get you at 170, let me try to get you at 155,'" McGregor said. "I'll make my adjustments. I ate up to the weight. This time, I won't do that."

The exact status of the Diaz rematch is uncertain, as the UFC was unable to come to terms with Diaz in a recent meeting. There is a chance the rematch could headline UFC 202 on Aug. 20 in Las Vegas.


Conor McGregor, left, blames his lack of stamina during Round 2 of his loss to Nick Diaz in March on poor nutrition while moving up in weight. Ed Mulholland for ESPN
McGregor, who had a 15-fight win streak snapped in March, is as confident as ever that he'll be successful against Diaz -- a bigger, longer southpaw who had fought at welterweight before their fight. Diaz went into the contest on 11 days' notice and won via rear-naked choke in the second round.

When that first fight was moved from 155 pounds to 170, McGregor says he stopped working with nutritionist George Lockhart. The final two weeks ahead of the fight, he essentially ate what he wanted and found himself far more energetic than normal; he's usually depleted cutting to 145 pounds. That excess energy led to some decisions he now questions.

"The first eight minutes of the fight was easy," McGregor said. "Let's be honest, I slapped the head off him. Once the gas tank went, that was it. I drowned. He landed that one punch that rang the bell and went, '[Gasp,] I'm back.' He was close to being done. One or two more shots and he would have been wrapped up.

"Swinging on gymnastic rings on fight week isn't the best thing. Usually, I wrap myself in bubble wrap and only do fight-specific things, but just because of that weight, no weight cut, I had put it in my head that, 'I'm free.' I had energy to burn. I was doing so much bounce footwork, the balls of my feet were burned to a crisp. Looking back, it was ridiculous. I don't know what I was thinking."

McGregor, 29, says he has now brought in experts to monitor his cardiovascular output. He's working with Lockhart year-round, even for a 170-pound bout in which he'll cut no weight. As McGregor conducted this interview, with no fight booked, he ate a small serving of fish and vegetables.

"Look at me right now," McGregor said. "Fish, red cabbage, asparagus -- I'm nowhere near a fight ,and I'm on the clock with nutrition."


McGregor, who knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to capture his UFC featherweight title in December, has not ruled out a move back down to 145 pounds. Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images
As the situation gets sorted out with Diaz, the featherweight division will crown an interim champion at UFC 200 on July 9. Former champion Jose Aldo, whom McGregor knocked out in December, is scheduled to fight Frankie Edgar.

There has been speculation as to whether McGregor ever intends to defend his 145-pound title. Although he admitted the weight cut is difficult, he says that it's obviously manageable and that he hasn't ruled out a return to the lighter weight class.

"It was my idea," McGregor said regarding the introduction of an interim title. "I wanted to have my revenge at 170, and they're crying and complaining about the 145-pound belt, which I just won three months ago. That division was killed, it was dead. Jose went down in 13 seconds. What more can I do? I traveled the world with that man. I finally got him in the Octagon, and he only lasts 13 seconds.

"I didn't see a challenge there anymore. So, I wanted to create interest from a fan's perspective and my perspective. I want to see them two go at it, with an interim belt on the line. Then I will see people walking around my division with a belt and that will intrigue me. It will make me want that belt again."

http://espn.go.com/mma/story/_/id/1...confidence-talking-possible-nate-diaz-rematch
 
#2 ·
So much goofiness.

Conor is a risk taker! He took on a top maybe 7 ranked lw who had ZERO camp! He was a 4 ti 1 favorite! Lol.....

He would gace been like 165 anyway yet he decided for aome reason he need to add what a pound or 2 by eating a bunch! Oh yea I buy that! I mean that makes total sense!

He is full of bull.....still...
 
#13 ·
:sarcastic11:

Featherweight Division
< Conor McGregor
This has always confused me. I know I'm not a fighter and I haven't been there but I have been involved in helping a few amateurs get ready for fights. I try to imagine myself as a professional fighter with years of experience....I have completed a full training camp in preparation for a world championship fight. A 25 minute fight.
I gas after 8 minutes.

I think there are 2 thoughts that would be competing for space in my mind.
A. I'm just not cut out for this.

B. My head coach and trainer failed me miserably and has to be replaced.

I don't think it would occur to me to blame the steak and bouncy footwork in the final week.
Your little sleepover seems one or two people shy. I know Liddell is praying somewhere in some sort of hipster soup kitchen minaret, but I don't see Anteries around. Are you guys gonna order some Kim Chi, and a box of cupcakes with red velvet frosting? Perhaps a "Step Up' 1, 2 and 3 marathon?
 
#5 ·
When he was KOing guys he was training smart. Not sparring hard...ahead of the game....accuracy and speed beats power.

He loses to Nate and after he just said he was inefficient with his energy. AKA he threw too many bombs. His fans ate it up.

Now he for some reason sabatoged his whole training for the sake of adding a few pounds. He hurt his wittle feet. He ate too much. Now he was a total novice at training for a fight.

Funny how his story changed over time.

If it isnt excuses then what is it?

A couple more and Nate would have went down.....lol......whatever he needs to tell himself I guess. Nate held his own the whole fight if you rewatch. He is delusional thinking he was beating Nate senseless.

Guy better come back to reality if he wants to actually get serious about winning this fight.
 
#8 · (Edited)
"I didn't see a challenge there anymore. So, I wanted to create interest from a fan's perspective and my perspective. I want to see them two go at it, with an interim belt on the line. Then I will see people walking around my division with a belt and that will intrigue me. It will make me want that belt again."
:sarcastic11:

Featherweight Division
< Conor McGregor
 
#10 ·
"Swinging on gymnastic rings on fight week isn't the best thing. Usually, I wrap myself in bubble wrap and only do fight-specific things, but just because of that weight, no weight cut, I had put it in my head that, 'I'm free.' I had energy to burn. I was doing so much bounce footwork, the balls of my feet were burned to a crisp. Looking back, it was ridiculous. I don't know what I was thinking."
Its good that he can identify specific errors that were made.

Much better than "I got caught", "he was the better man that night", things people say when they can't figure out how or why they lost.
 
#11 ·
Once the gas tank went, that was it. I drowned.
This has always confused me. I know I'm not a fighter and I haven't been there but I have been involved in helping a few amateurs get ready for fights. I try to imagine myself as a professional fighter with years of experience....I have completed a full training camp in preparation for a world championship fight. A 25 minute fight.
I gas after 8 minutes.

I think there are 2 thoughts that would be competing for space in my mind.
A. I'm just not cut out for this.

B. My head coach and trainer failed me miserably and has to be replaced.

I don't think it would occur to me to blame the steak and bouncy footwork in the final week.
 
#31 ·
You're failing to address that it was preparation he'd never attempted before - and then he admits he was wrong in the way in which he approached it. I mean, what a joke, right?

Yourself and Jonnyg seem to have dedicated the last few months to all things Conor Mcgregor. I wouldn't call myself a fan, but I do enjoy his fights and his pressers, but my god I'm sick of hearing from him about the Diaz fight. You and Jonnyg cant seem to get enough of him. I don't get it.

It's another Conor thread and another time where jonnyg is the most frequent poster. Just plain obsessed.

Edit: And just for clarity, can anyone explain to me why Cerrone is/was hailed as a stud, despite his loss to Diaz, yet Conor is labeled as sh!te for his loss to Diaz?
 
#14 ·
So in other words Don is avoiding talking about his little lad's excuses that rival Tito Ortiz.

Chalk it up to it isnt excuse it is adjustments! Stay off the balls of his feet and acrobatics the week of the fight and clearly he should win!

How does it feel that Conor is still making excuses, Don? He took that loss like a champ! What a great loser! All hail the fearless Conor McGregor! Bring on Robbie Lawler and GSP!
 
#15 ·
Unless he were to become a deaf mute, anything out of his mouth would be an excuse in your world! Definitely not allowed look to reasons he may have lost. Oh no, terrible strategy. Best not to look for ways to prepare better. Again terrible strategy! The only thing that is legit, and animal balloon gangster enough in the 209 world is to be like "Yo, Im shit, can't do better. Nate is the king, and in no way could I ever challenge him or improve myself to win next time'. That MAY make you happy, but still the odds are slim. I'm pretty he would need to be doing testicle waxing and rim jobs to get an acceptability rating from jonnyg!
 
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#16 ·
So right after the fight he says he didnt use his energy well. His fans say he threw too many bombs.

Now months later he ate too much steak, played on rings, and hurt his feet.

If that isnt an excuse what would be an excuse in your book? Seriously Don...what would? You have no response to that. His whole gimmick now is one giant excuse.

The week of everyone from hinself, his coach, his trainer, analysts said how much better he looked and how he would be better without a cut.

What changed? Getting Stockton Slapped by a guy on a weeks notice?

Lost reapect for Conor. Cant take a loss like a man what so ever. Here we are 3 months later and he is bringing new excuses up. Played on rings and hurt his feet all of a sudden. It is pathetic.
 
#20 ·
I know I take the piss with Conor a bit, but even though I think that since his Aldo win his head is in the clouds, I still like to watch him fight.

But c'mon I don'y think I've ever heard so many excuses and bullshit from a champion in my 20 odd years of watching combat sports.

Why couldn't he just say the truth - I gassed and the better man won on the night. But, its just one bizarre excuse after another. Even when he's not making odd excuses he's sugar coating the facts, too much steak (gassed), inefficient use of energy (gassed), 400 breakfasts (gassed).
 
#24 ·
Where did I say Conor is a bum? Put words in my mouth much? I routinely say Conor is a great fighter and would beat anyone at 145 if he can make it there. He is the best 145 in the world but really is a 155er now. Or at least in my opinion he wont go back to 145.......why make stuff up?

It is odd when so many posters here cant comprehend text.....like really bizarre.

Here are the cliff notes......

-Conor is full of excuses and taking things away from Nate Diaz who beat the best 145 on 10 days notice.

-Conor gets praised for anything he does. He is heroic for wanting Nate at 170 again and for fighting him when he just got off a boat on vacation....

Is that easier for you to comprehend?
 
#25 ·
I didn't say you called him a bum, how is your reading comprehension? I put a question mark after it.

When take away all a fighters accomplishments, yeah, it leaves me with an impression you don't think they are all that good. You have an excuse for every victory he has, while complaining that he has excuses for his 1 loss.
 
#28 ·
Did Nate say that? I never did. Where are you getting thst from? If Nate said it Id welcome to know it as Im not avoiding anything here.

Odds are if he came in shape and on weight he still would have lost. The mix of leg kicks and TDs was a bad matchup for Nate. He can deal with Kicks usually but not with TDs added in after getting hobbled. I was happy to see him go the distance and not get finished like so many others have Vs. RDA.
 
#30 ·
I think we can establish based on the slumber party crew:

Looking at personal mistakes in camp and during fight preparation, and trying to change them in order to win your next fight, is deeply unholy. It is in fact heathen like.

He said from the start he was over confident, prepared poorly and gassed. I was saying he was focusing on strength instead of cardio, he has said the same thing. We know that Portal didn't help him for the fight, hence he got rid of him. Bouncing around for a week didn't help, he established that and is changing things for the better. All the mistakes which is what they were, not excuses are being rectified.

When the half giraffe half pipsqueak Nate buckles in the rematch, and the line after the fight is "This time I prepared properly and didn't take him lightly", I think we can point to the rectifying of mistakes as the reason for the victory this time.

Now I know this post will be met with the usual OMG's!! But please, the Choreographers cut of Step Up 4 has just been released on Netflix in the Stockton region, so save the OMG's for the opening credits!
 
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#41 ·
Taking credit from Nate :laugh: what he is suppose to say when getting ready for a rematch? "There is nothing i can do to improve, the fight will go the exact same way"

Fighting is all about making adjustments, Conor is laying out the adjustments he feels he needs to make to win the rematch. This is something all fighters do, all fighters talk about how they can improve, one example is Nick Diaz after the GSP fight, in the press conferences, although unfortunately, he never had an specific reasoning, so why is it so hard for you to hear when its said about your dear Nate?
 
#42 ·
Exactly. They are preparing for a rematch, it would he stupid to be saying the opposite. Who is going to buy a rematch with a guy saying "i was beaten by a better fighter, and i cant possibly improve to beat him in a rematch". Well duh wtf are you fighting him again for then?
 
#73 ·
Id say it was a little of both.

You can debate the stand up but Nate has an eminence advantage on the ground. I just dont see him beating nate.

Conor goes for the KO in every fight and dose good damage, if he doesn't then he wont do enough damage to keep pace with Nate. If he dose he will just punch himself out.

This is just a bad style match up for Conor and a rematch he should skip IMO.
 
#47 ·
Ah yes, missed weight (LW), but is a natural LW fighter and now a WW. Conor didn't move up two weight classes to fight a much bigger guy who entered the ring 15 pounds heavier. Completely zero risk fight for him and the fact he jumped two weight classes means nothing at all in for that fight, deserves no credit, and was not a handicap at all.
Tune in next week for the next nugget of Stockton logic, where will discuss the short notice no camp syndrome for the man who claims to be in better shape then most fighters on the roster when they are in camp, ad nauseum!
 
#50 ·
I never have acted like Nate isn't bigger than him.

But Conor has fought at 155 and won a belt there. So where is the logic? Nate is a 155lb fighter and said he would fight him there and doesn't care. So because Nate missed weight once in his entire life.....then made it vs. Johnson and went 3 hard rounds.....it all of a sudden means he is a 170? I don't get the logic?

Nate is a big 155. Conor is a solid sized 155. There is nothing really to dispute there. Conor himself said he was bigger than RDA. You had a Big 155 taking on a regular 155....at a higher weight where neither cut weight. 1 guy had no camp....they other did. I mean this is all basically facts.

Conor is a 155 now who will not go back to 145 because he cannot. He used to be a 155 before the UFC but cut like hell to make 145.

What am I saying that isn't logical? Not for one second did I ever said Nate wasn't the bigger guy. Nate has been the longer and perhaps bigger 155 all his life yet has lost many of times.

What am I missing?
 
#49 ·
Just yesterday I said Nate beats him even if he fought at Lightweight because Nate is a bad style for him. So where am I taking credit away?

Fact is McGregor was at Welterweight. He never has before. I don't claim to know why. We don't know because McGregor isn't making up excuses left and right about missing weight and not caring about his contract. McGregor was at Welterweight. That is a fact. Would he have won even if he did? No probably not. As I said accurate one - two combos coupled with endurance and a ridiculous chin is a good way to beat McGregor.

So explain how I am taking credit away from Nate? Seriously.
 
#51 ·
Clyde. Buddy. Really don't do this to me. I'm not against you.

But is your name Conor? DO you read? DO you realize I said Conor is making excuses and taking credit away from Nate. DO you realize I said and mean CONOR. Do you realize I never claimed you said you are taking credit away? So why say this? Really? Why are you wasting your time mixing up yourself and "CONOR"....when I clearly said CONOR is taking credit away.

Buddy, pal, I'm trying to be patient with you. Please just slow down and read what I write. You aren't taking anything away from Nate. NOR DID I SAY YOU WERE. So please. Just stop trying so hard. I'm begging you.
 
#54 ·
I predict round one will be a lot of oblique kicks, body shots and uppercuts, a couple
of left hands. Nate will land a few shots but will take more damage. Round two he will adjust to protect the body more and start taking shots to the head. End of R2 or R3 he will go down.
The holy grail would be Nate gets rocked badly and then gets finished by choke. Oh the joy. Would live off that for years, but I predict a tko end of R2 or middle of R3
 
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