5 of the best welterweight fights in MMA history

Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor 2 – UFC 202

The main event of UFC 202 generated one of the best-selling UFC pay-per-views of all time. It was the highly anticipated rematch between then featherweight champion Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz. Not often do fights of this magnitude live up to the hype, but this one sure did and that’s what makes it so special.

After the first bout, an obsessed McGregor demanded an immediate rematch against the first person to hand him a loss in the UFC. Diaz accepted and his wishes were granted. The two would meet again in Las Vegas at UFC 202. The bout would once again be contested at welterweight.

Seconds into the opening round of the fight, you can see the adjustments made by McGregor with his plan to emphasize leg kicks by landing two clean kicks within the first ten seconds. Diaz, too, would show adjustments early on by being a more active fighter early on and reaping the benefits of a full fight camp.

One minute into the round you can already see the bruising start to develop on Diaz’s leg and McGregor building off the leg kicks by picking up the pressure. McGregor walks him down, finds home with his patented left hand, and knocks down Diaz with three minutes left in the round. McGregor would let Diaz up and the two would continue to exchange strikes, with McGregor landing a well-placed leg kick that buckles Diaz in the final minute of the round.

Round two would be a tale of two halves, with McGregor dominating the first half of the round and Diaz battling back in the latter half. Just 25 seconds into the second round, McGregor feints Diaz into a huge left hand that drops Diaz. Again, McGregor lets him stand up. 20 seconds later, McGregor triple jabs and throws a left hand right down the center that splits Diaz’s high guard and floors the Stockton native for the second time in 45 seconds of the round. However, the knockdowns seemed to wake up a bloody and battered Diaz who would recover and ramp up the pressure with an aggressive volume of strikes. Utilizing the clinch and dirty boxing, Diaz would make things a whole lot more interesting and give viewers flashbacks to the first bout.

In round three, Diaz would ride the momentum and continue taking it to a visibly fatigued McGregor. Stalking the Irishman, trying to drown him with strikes and draining clinch work. McGregor would land some shots of his own, but with less impact as Diaz smiles and shakes them off. In the final minute of round three, Diaz peppers McGregor’s head and body that forces the Irishmen to just try surviving the duration of the round.

Beginning the championship rounds, the activity of both men has declined. But to the viewer’s surprise, it is McGregor who catches a second wind and scores on strikes as Diaz looks to conserve energy for a strong finish. McGregor wins the clinch exchanges and lands several slipping left-hand counters. Diaz is forced to wipe the blood out of his eyes a few times but does land a nice left hand near the end of the round.

Round five was a grueling one. Early on, McGregor was once again looking to catch his breath and retreating, but when he did throw, he landed often. Diaz keeps the pressure up by initiating the clinch and shooting a takedown that McGregor impressively defends. A minute later Diaz lands a flurry of clean clinch strikes that McGregor eats right up. Clinch work would continue for the last minute, with McGregor tripping Diaz for a quick moment. Diaz would work up to his feet, get a favorable position, and secure a takedown with 10 seconds left – finishing the fight with a storm of strikes from top position.

After the final bell, the two would embrace their 25-minute war and show respect while covered in each other’s blood. According to UFC Stats, significant strikes were 166-164 and total strikes 252-197, both in favor of Diaz. McGregor was the more accurate fighter in landing 57% of significant strikes and had the advantage in damage dealt by knocking down Diaz three times.

In the end, judges would give McGregor the victory by way of a majority decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-47).