LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor avenged his only loss in the UFC with a majority decision victory over Nate Diaz on Saturday night at UFC 202.
In a highly anticipated rematch of their two-round welterweight thriller in March, the two put on an action-packed fight, with each taking control at different moments. The judges scored it 48-47, 47-47, 48-47.
McGregor forced the action early, landing multiple leg kicks to Diaz’s lead leg and a straight left that knocked Diaz down. McGregor knocked Diaz down twice more in Round 2, bloodying his nose and taking total control.
Later in Round 2, Diaz found the energy to unleash a flurry of strikes, knocking McGregor down against the fence. Diaz continued to attack in Round 3, and for the final 90 seconds of Round 4, the fighters stood in the center of the cage and exchanged punches.
They traded punches again in the fifth, and neither gained an edge until the final ten seconds, when Diaz secured a trip and landed a few final shots from on top before the bell rang.
In the co-main event, Anthony Johnson landed a devastating uppercut 13 seconds into the first round to knock out Glover Teixeira in the co-main event between top-ranked light heavyweights.
Johnson (22-5) flattened Teixeira with the shot, forcing the referee to call an early end to the fight. Johnson got his 13th victory in his past 14 fights and put himself in position to challenge for the title.
“I’m coming for you Daniel,” Johnson said, speaking to current light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, who was seated near the cage.
..... - Newsday