UFC Featherweight champion Conor McGregor is jumping two weight classes to take on Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC 196 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. McGregor was originally supposed to face UFC Lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos, but the Brazilian was forced to pull out with an injured foot.
Diaz is stepping up at short notice, but the two men are making up for lost time with plenty of trash talking leading up to the bout. Take a listen to the pre-fight press conference:
(Warning video contains NSFW language)
If nothing else, the in-cage banter between the two men should be compelling. Here’s a look at the entire schedule, card, predictions and viewing information.
| UFC Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. ET | ||
| Matchups | Weight Class | Prediction |
| Julian Erosa vs. Teruto Ishihara | Featherweight | Erosa by submission |
| Jason Saggp vs. Justin Salas | Lightweight | Saggo by decision |
| Diego Sanchez vs. Jim Miller | Lightweight | Miller by submission |
| Fox Sports Prelims ar 8p.m. ET | ||
| Darren Elkins vs. Chas Skelly | Featherweight | Skelly by decision |
| Vitor Miranda vs. Marcelo Guimaraes | Middleweight | Miranda by TKO |
| Erick Silva vs. Nordine Taleb | Welterweight | Taleb by TKO |
| Brandon Thatch vs. Siyar Bahadurzada | Welterweight | Thatch by TKO |
| PPV Main Card at 10 p.m. ET | ||
| Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko | Women’s Bantamweight | Shevchenko by submission |
| Corey Anderson vs. Tom Lawlor | Light Heavyweight | Anderson by decision |
| Gian Villante vs. Ilir Latifi | Light Heavyweight | Latifi by TKO |
| (c) Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate | Women’s Bantamweight Championship | Holm by TKO |
| Conro McGregor vs, Nate Diaz | Welterweight | McGregor by TKO |
Latifi Will Win in Explosive Fashion
Gian Villante is one of the most highly touted light heavyweights in the UFC, but he’s proven to be susceptible to strong and effective strikers.
He’s been stopped twice in his career by strikes, and he was losing to Corey Anderson in April 2015 before landing a huge right hand that turned the tide. Villante‘s opponent on Saturday is Ilir Latifi, and he brings a pair of unforgiving fists into the Octagon.
The powerful Swede is known as “The Sledgehammer,” and with good reason. He’s won two fights in a row with both coming by way of TKO/KO. Villante‘s potential weakness makes him a prime candidate to become Latifi‘s third-straight KO victim.
Holm Will Stop Tate
Folks who long for a rematch between UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey needn’t worry about the former losing her title to Miesha Tate.
There’s some concern that Holm might experience a letdown after upsetting Rousey in 2015, but that isn’t likely. Holm told the Washington Post‘s Jeff Wagenheim she doesn’t want to be a “one-hit wonder.”
Holm‘s awareness will allow her to maintain the edge she needs to beat Tate. The champion is a superior athlete and striker. Tate may be better on the ground, but isn’t that what we thought about Rousey?
Expect Holm to get the finish via second-round TKO.
McGregor Will Punish Diaz
The trash talk was awesome, but in the Octagon Diaz will prove to be no match for McGregor. Normally, a two-division leap would spell trouble for a fighter. However, McGregor has been starving himself to make 145 pounds.
If you look at the way he looks at the weigh-in and press conference, he looks to be carrying the 170 pounds well. If he has his normal crisp movements, Diaz doesn’t have much of a chance.
McGregor is faster and stronger. Diaz has a huge edge on the ground, but he lacks the explosiveness to close the distance and take McGregor to the ground. McGregor will have his way.
The Notorious One will win by second-round TKO.
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