– Niall Kelly reports from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
CONOR MCGREGOR WAS beaten for the first time in his UFC career as Nate Diaz sent shockwaves through the sport with a seismic upset.
After taking the fight on just 11 days’ notice, a bloodied Diaz locked in a rear naked choke that forced McGregor to tap out in the final minute of the second round.
Diaz was a massive outsider in the UFC 196 main event which saw featherweight champion McGregor jump up 25lbs to fight at welterweight for the first time.
“I’m humble in victory or defeat,” the beaten Dubliner said moments after his first professional loss since November 2010.
These things happen. I’ll learn, I’ll grow. It is what it is. I’ll face it like a man, like a champion. I’ll come back and do it again.
Diaz’s win topped a night for the underdogs in the MGM Grand Garden Arena where earlier, Miesha Tate scored a stunning submission win to beat Holly Holm and win the women’s bantamweight title.
“I’m not surprised, motherfuckers,” the Stockton brawler said as he drank in the biggest win of his career in front of an arena too stunned to react.
It was McGregor who dominated the first round, landing a succession of lefts that opened a cut on Diaz’s eye and had blood streaming down his face.
It quickly became apparent that Diaz, 30, was willing to back his power and stand and trade blows. He shipped the bulk of the damage in those first five minutes; when he swung back, he found fresh air where McGregor’s head had been only seconds earlier.
McGregor still appeared to be in total control early in the second, waiting only to deliver the finishing touches, and rocked Diaz with another big left hand.
But the momentum shifted dramatically in the American’s favour when he landed a peach of a left that had McGregor in visible trouble and tiring.
McGregor faltered as Diaz poured on the pressure and shot for the takedown that he hoped would seem him through to the bell and some respite.
But Diaz countered and locked in the choke hold that gave McGregor no option but to tap out with 48 seconds left in the second round.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
