UFC 196 will be insane yet entertaining in ways more than one. Featherweight champion Conor McGregor takes on Welterweight fighter Nate Diaz in the main event, which can be termed as a battle of the UFC's top thrash-talkers.
The fight was never supposed to take place in the first place. McGregor, coming off against a huge win over former pound-for-pound king Jose Aldo in UFC 194, was scheduled to take on UFC Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos for the championship. However, a "broken foot" for the Brazilian just more than a week ahead of the fight forced the MMA company to change the plan altogether.
Nate, the brother of Nick Diaz -- known for his superlative microphone skills -- has been zeroed in as McGregor's opponent in UFC 196, which will take place this Saturday in Las Vegas.
The battle lines have been drawn now. Both Nate and McGregor are renowned for their mic skills and brash image outside the octagon and inside the octagon as well, they are revered for their ferocity and energy. The two go against each other in a non-title fight, but that will not prevent them from showcasing the best of their MMA skills.
"You knocked out three midgets and you're pumped up," Diaz took a dig on McGregor, referring to his wins against Dennis Siver, Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo. "I've been fighting grown-ups for 12 years," the 30-year-old was quoted by Sydney Morning Herald.
McGregor, who is climbing two weight classes up to take on Nate, also retorted with one of his usual trash talking. "How can you not like him [Diaz]? He's like a little Cholo gangster from the hood, but at the same time he coaches kids jiu jitsu on a Sunday morning and goes on bike rides with the elderly," the Irishman said.
"He makes gun signs with the right hand, and animal balloons with the left hand."
Forget about the weight class, Saturday's main event will be as action-packed as it can be. UFC released the first promo of the fight and both fighters are seen getting ready inside the octagon to light up the fireworks. The fight has been termed as a "Money fight."
Check out the promo below:
