Back after three years, Nate Diaz remembers McGregor again: 'I won the rematch'

Nate diaz hasn't fought since August 2016. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @natediaz

the return of Nate diaz Returning to the Octagon after three years of inactivity is one of the most anticipated attractions at UFC 241, which takes place this Saturday (17), in Anaheim, in the United States. The controversial North American faces the former lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg), Anthony Pettis, in the welterweight category (up to 77kg.). The fighter, however, does not forget his last fight, in August 2016, when he was defeated by Conor McGregor in a rematch of a first confrontation that took place in March of the same year. In an interview with ESPN, Diaz stated that he did not agree with the judges' result when they stated that the Irishman won by unanimous decision. Nate returns to do the co-main event of the night.

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“I feel like I won the last fight. I'm not going to cry over spilled milk. It just is what it is. Especially in this UFC game, because I lost a lot of fights that I don't agree with. They treat you like: 'you lost, go to the back of the line. Get out'. This way. When McGregor lost the first fight to me, it was a big deal and he needed this rematch. He was obsessed and all this marketing surrounding him is so he can do these things,” said Nate.

Although he is not one of the athletes who has performed more regularly in recent times, Diaz enjoys a lot of prestige among MMA enthusiasts; especially after defeating Conor after receiving a last-minute invitation to the fight (in March 2016). On that occasion, after exchanging frank blows with the Irishman for almost two entire rounds, McGregor succumbed to the American's boxing and ended up failing when trying to take the fight to the ground, where Nate is a very effective opponent. After just a few seconds, McGregor ended up submitted by a rear naked choke.

At the time, Conor was considered the most important name in the UFC, as he had just become one of the most important names in Ultimate, given the way he produced his fights and managed to attract the public to watch his always exciting performances. After the defeat, just four months later, another fight was scheduled and the result, this time, went to the 'Notorious'.

Diaz, even without winning the rematch, got the right to choose some opponents against whom he would like to fight. For this Saturday, the fighter decided to move up a category, under the affirmation that he would have defeated all possible weight challengers in the lightweight division. The challenge accepted was to face the former champion of the division currently reigned by Khabib Nurmagomedov, however, among the welterweights. As he was once again in a good phase of his career, Pettis seemed like a good challenge for Nate.

The controversial athlete is now 34 years old and has 30 fights on his record with 19 wins and 22 losses.

Anthony, 32, in turn, has the same 30 fights, but 22 triumphs and eight setbacks.