After Conor McGregor's UFC 196 opponent Rafael dos Anjos dropped out with an injured foot, Nate Diaz stepped in for a 170-pound bout.
McGregor (19-3) was gassed much quicker with the weight gain, moving up as the featherweight champion to fight the normally lightweight fighter, Diaz (19-10) Saturday night in a thrilling bout that ended with the champ tapping.
Despite having the longer reach, Diaz spent most of the first round in retreat as McGregor pounded his face with swift hands and a stiff left uppercut. In the second round, McGregor was worn out and took too many open shots to the face, eventually getting reversed on the ground and tapped out.
After taking a year off, Diaz returned in December to beat Michael Johnson on a decision victory. McGregor last won against Jose Aldo for the featherweight crown in December as well.
Diaz had less than two weeks to prepare for the fight after dos Anjos pulled out due to his foot injury.
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