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Last night (Sat., March 5, 2016), Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz scrapped at UFC 196 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In a fantastic win, Diaz submitted his opponent. Find out how below!

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight warriors Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz clashed last night (March 5, 2016) at UFC 196 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

McGregor has been untouchable at Featherweight, but this was a completely new challenge for him. If the Irishman managed to successfully jump up two full weight classes, it would be raise his super star status to new heights.

Looking to play spoiler was Nate Diaz. The younger Diaz brother has been a staple of the Lightweight division for years, but he did make a brief foray to 170 lbs. in the past. Regardless of all the weight details, Diaz was simply looking to shut McGregor up and prove his own dominance.

Mission accomplished.

McGregor struck first, landing a long left hand. However, Diaz immediately stepped into the clinch and drove his opponent into the fence. Despite the size advantage, McGregor was able to create separation quickly, and the two return to flinging punches at each other.

The advantages that both fighters held coming in were quickly made obvious. Diaz’s extra height and reach were clearly a big benefit for him as it helped him land effectively. On the flip side, McGregor’s speed and athleticism were on full display, as his punchers were quicker and did cut Diaz open.

Interestingly, Diaz scored with a takedown near the end of the round but allowed himself to be rolled over without much resistance. Regardless of that brief exchange, it was a rather close round in which both men scored with some hard shots. That said, McGregor did more damage and likely won the round.

McGregor started the second round violently, scoring with some big punches immediately. After just a couple minutes, Diaz’s face was covered in blood.

However, the high output of big power shots were clearly taking their toll on McGregor’s cardio. “The Notorious” fighter was definitely slowing down, and Diaz capitalized on that with a piston-like straight left hand that stunned the Irish fighter. As usual, Diaz swarmed aggressively, firing off a dozens of punches and working his opponent over in the clinch.

McGregor tried to hang in range and did land some of his sledgehammer left hands. However, Nathan Diaz was undeterred and continued to press forward, causing the Irish striker to shoot for his one double. From there, it was classic Diaz grappling, as he attempted to lock up his usual guillotine. Instead, he used it to reverse into the mount.

Once there, Diaz dropped some blows, and McGregor surrendered his back. Afterwards, the result was predictable, as Diaz quickly locked in a rear naked choke.

This is an example of how styles make fights. McGregor has been able to excel when he fights opponents reaching for his chins, and when he’s able to swarm his opponent with power shots. Against a lankier opponent who’s comfortable in a brawl, neither of those paths to victory were readily available.

Indeed, McGregor did land some great punches, kicks, and generally showed off his stellar kickboxing. However, McGregor commits to his power shots and throws in high volume. Together, those two elements simply are not sustainable. Unless he scored an early knockout or switched up his approach, McGregor was always going to gas trying to trade with Diaz.

And there’s few people better than swarming a gassed fighter than a Diaz brother.

Diaz is such a unique fighter that it’s difficult to predict his career trajectory. Against some Lightweight contenders, Diaz will look utterly ineffective and undeserving of his ranking. Against others, he will dominate and look unbeatable.

Depending on who’s champion at any given time, Diaz has a great chance or no chance to become champion. Either way, he’s much closer to that opportunity following this win.

For McGregor, it’s something of a reality check. He may indeed still be a challenge for Rafael dos Anjos — again, styles make fights — but the idea of him running all the way up to Welterweight to challenge Robbie Lawler was and is absurd.

This fight also showed that McGregor’s chin is not unbreakable. It’s not weak or any such nonsense like some will claim in the coming weeks, but nor can he take punches freely. Following this loss, we may see McGregor return to his counter punching roots rather than keep walking opponents down.

Frankie Edgar should be next for the Irishman back at Featherweight.

Last night, Nathan Diaz shocked the world by stopping Conor McGregor in the second round. Where does the Stockton-native go from here?

For complete UFC 196 “McGregor vs Diaz” results and play-by-play, click HERE!

Looks like Holly Holm won’t get an immediate rematch after he loss to Miesha Tate at UFC 196. Tate-Ronda’s trilogy is about to be set.

In an appearance with ESPN following UFC 196, Dana White said Ronda Rousey will most likely get the title shot against the newly crowned champion in Miesha Tate upon her return. Here’s the dialogue Dana had with the hosts of the show, which included featuring former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen and Gilbert Melendez.

Melendez: That was a really close fight. Holly Holm was about 40 seconds from winning it. Do you think she deserves the rematch?

Dana White: No, I think that Ronda now will now fight Miesha Tate for the title – that’s what’s gonna happen. That’s what I said before this fight even happened. Whoever wins tonight will fight Ronda for the title.

Melendez: Have you heard from Ronda yet?

White: I texted Ronda – she wasn’t watching the fight. I texted her and she said, “What happened?” And I said, “Miesha just choked her unconscious.” She said, “Looks like I gotta get back to work.”

Melendez: That’s exciting!

White: Well, I don’t know what that means. (laughing) Ronda is scheduled not to come back until October or November. But it doesn’t mean I can’t ask.

Sonnen: You said that Ronda’s return match, that was supposed to be against Holly, could be all the way down the road to November. UFC 200, will you wait or would you like to speed it up?

White: Ronda Rousey has worked very hard for 3 and a half years for this company. She did everything that was asked, and went above and beyond the call of duty. If she wants to stay out until October, I will let her do that.

Last night (Sat., March 5, 2016), Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko dueled at UFC 196 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In a back-and-forth battle, Nunes came out on top. Find out how below!

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight contenders Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko battled last night (March 5, 2016) at UFC 196 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nunes has proven herself a dynamic finisher, one of the best in her division. If she could move past her experienced opponent in similar fashion, Nunes would be in great position to earn a title shot.

Similarly, Shevchenko established herself as a top contender recently. However, the kickboxing veteran accomplished that feat in just a single short-notice victory, and another victory last night would make her rise to the top quite incredible.

In an unexpected turn of events, the first round went rather slowly. Both women picked their shots slowly and were less than active. In particular, Shevchenko barely opened up at all, allowing her foe to run away with the round. Then, to really seal the round, Nunes scored with a takedown and finished on top.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was a clear round for Nunes.

Nunes didn’t waste much time in throwing her opponent back to the mat. Working from the half guard, Nunes brutalized her opponent with some hard elbows, opening some cuts. At one point, Shevchenko utilized a nice roll to return to her feet.

However, Nunes simply muscled her back to the ground.

Back on the mat, Nunes advanced into back mount. From that position, Nunes attacked with some punches and a deep rear naked choke, but “Bullet” stayed tough and defend.

Near the end of the round, Shevchenko reversed into guard, but it was far too little to win back the round.

Shevchenko needed a finish to win this bout, and she knew it. The Russian fighter started the round scoring with some big strikes and reversed a takedown into side control, where she attacked with elbows and an Americana.

With three minutes remaining, Nunes worked back to her feet but was clearly tired. While Shevchenko did put it on her and clearly win the round with some damaging strikes, she never turned it up enough to really push for the finish.

Ultimately, the judges correctly awarded Nunes the decision for her work in the first two rounds.

This was a strong performance by Nunes, who showed the ability to pace herself for the first time in her career. Normally, Nunes falls flat in fights that drag on past the opening frame, but this time she was dominant in the second and built up enough of a lead to ride out the victory.

Nunes’ strength advantage was quite obvious here. She simply manhandled the Russian in clinch exchanges and routinely held top position in scrambles, which allowed her to do major damage.

Following this win, Nunes is definitely up for a title shot. Depending on when Rousey returns, Nunes is either up next or will challenge for the belt following “Rowdy’s” return.

Either way, it should be interesting.

For Shevchenko, this revealed a couple of the flaws in her game. Perhaps most importantly, Shevchenko’s bottom game needs work, as she did a poor job scrambling up or even keeping herself safe from ground and pound. It’s obviously difficult against such a physical beast like “Lioness,” but Shevchenko wasn’t even trying to do the right things.

Additionally, Shevchenko’s size will make defeating the elite difficult. That’s not exactly her fault — there’s no women’s Flyweight division for her to drop down to — so it’s something to consider in the future.

On the bright side, Shevchenko’s kickboxing looked nasty in the final round when she opened up. If she can strike like that consistently, she’s still an elite Bantamweight.

Last night, Amanda Nunes battered Valentina Shevchenko en route to a decision win. Can the Brazilian hold a title?

For complete UFC 196 “McGregor vs Diaz” results and play-by-play, click HERE!