MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani is reporting a Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz rematch could soon be on the horizon.
The UFC is close to finalizing a non-title welterweight rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz for the July 9 card.
July 9 is the scheduled date for UFC 200. And making a rematch from main event of the highest grossing show in company history does seem like a no-brainer. The UFC has never been shy about going to the well more than once and making immediate rematches. However, that is usually reserved for title fights. But with the numbers put up by UFC 196; including the most pay-per-view buys and the third-biggest gate in promotion history; adding McGregor/Diaz II is a smart move by the company to stack their forthcoming mega-card.
The unfortunate question that comes from this news is, once again, what is to be of the featherweight title and the top contenders to it? McGregor seems disinterested in meeting his championship obligations. Will this lead to an interim-title match-up? Or would McGregor look to vacate the title and move on up to the lightweight division permanently?
As has been the case for the last year, when you have the clout that “Notorious” does, you can always dictate the terms. And then re-negotiate them to even better benefit yourself.
