THE WORST KEPT secret in mixed martial arts has been confirmed tonight after the UFC announced that Conor McGregor will get a chance to avenge the only defeat of his time with the organisation so far.
McGregor, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, will take on Nate Diaz in the main event at UFC 200 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, 9 July. The fight was made official during this evening’s ‘UFC Tonight’ broadcast on FOX Sports.
Diaz submitted the Irish star in the second round of their welterweight meeting at UFC 196 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena earlier this month. Once again, the rematch will be contested at 170lbs, despite McGregor’s status as the 145lbs champion.
Speaking of the featherweight title, it has also been announced that an interim 145lbs belt will be up for grabs on the same night.
Jose Aldo, who was dethroned by McGregor back in December, will take on top contender and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, with the winner moving on to a unification bout against the Dubliner “at some point down the road”.
Several other fights have also been confirmed for the UFC 200 bill, including a heavyweight clash between Travis Browne and former champion Cain Velasquez, as well as a meeting of ex-welterweight title-holder Johny Hendricks and Kelvin Gastelum.
Also, Gegard Mousasi faces Derek Brunson, Joe Lauzon takes on Diego Sanchez and Takanori Gomi meets Jim Miller.
