As noted, UFC finally announced the Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz rematch for the main event of UFC 200. Following the announcement, UFC President Dana White appeared on ESPN to talk about how things were set up for their landmark event in July.
According to White, he and UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta went to the house McGregor was renting after he lost to Diaz at UFC 196 and asked him what his thoughts were on what’s next for his career.
“After the fight, Lorenzo (Fertitta) and I went up to Conor’s house that he was renting here in Las Vegas and started talking about, ‘what are you thinking, what’s next?’ And he was obsessed. Obsessed with fighting Nate Diaz again,” said White during his appearance on ESPN.
“Obviously Lorenzo and I tried to argue with him and say let’s go back down to 145 and defend your title, or if you really want the Diaz fight that bad, do it at 155. And he wants to fight at 170. Even his coach, Coach (John) Kavanagh, tried to get him to get off this rematch and off the 170-pound fight, but it’s what he wanted.”
White also addressed why he decided to give in to McGregor’s request and give him the fights he wants.
“Conor McGregor is a guy who has had fights fall out seven days before he’s supposed to defend his title, and he steps up and he takes on all comers,” White said. “The guy fights anybody, anywhere, anytime. He’s stepped up on late notice and done the these things. He wants this Nate Diaz fight? We’ll give it to him. We’ll make Frankie (Edgar) and Jose (Aldo) for the interim title, and whoever wins that fight will then fight Conor McGregor for the 145-pound title.”
Regardless of the outcome on 7/9, White believes McGregor’s next trip to the Octagon will be a title unification bout, as he will fight the winner of the interim title bout between Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar, which is also official for UFC 200.
“Win, lose, or draw against Nate Diaz, he will go in and he will fight either Jose or Frankie,” White said. “Whoever wins at (UFC) 200.”
UFC 200: Diaz vs. McGregor II is scheduled to take place at the brand new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 9, 2016.
