If McGregor had walked out to the Octagon at MGM Grand Garden Arena and dispatched Diaz like he had most of his previous opponents, this rivalry would have ended there. Would it have been massive? Sure. But it would not have reached the legendary level it did due to the shocking outcome of the fight.
Following an impressive opening five minutes from the featherweight champion, it was clear McGregor was slowing in the second round, and Diaz began putting on the pressure, landing a 1-2 that ultimately stunned the Irish superstar. Retreating, McGregor shot for a takedown, which became his downfall. Diaz gained control, took his back and locked in a rear-naked choke, submitting McGregor and becoming the first fighter to defeat him in the UFC. This launched Diaz into superstardom overnight.
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So, what happened next? Did McGregor drop back down to 145, or wait for dos Anjos to get healthy? Neither. Instead, McGregor called for an immediate rematch, which was booked just five months later at UFC 202.
After suffering a major setback and having his rapid rise halted at the hands of a fellow trash talker in Diaz, McGregor needed to get this one back. Now, with Diaz full of confidence and McGregor heated to get the win, every altercation between the two carried increasingly more intensity, all culminating in the UFC 202 press conference, which saw McGregor and Diaz’s team hurling water bottles at one another. Not the best look for either fighter, but it showcased the raw nature of their feud, and that neither would step back from one another inside or outside the Octagon.