McGregor faces Diaz with an eye on total UFC dominance

McGregor and Diaz have the most important fight at UFC 196. Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC

Current world featherweight champion, Conor McGregor was willing to make history this Saturday (5), at UFC 196, but the injury to Rafael dos Anjos, lightweight champion, prevented the duel between title holders from taking place.

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However, the Irishman arrives to fight against Nate diaz, in Las Vegas (USA), with an eye on a much more ambitious plan: skipping the Brazilian's category and going straight in search of the welterweight title.

The plan is quite unusual, as McGregor leaves a featherweight fight (up to 66 kg) to go straight to 77 kg. However, is the Irishman capable of doing well in the new category? The fight against Diaz will give a good indication.

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It's undeniable that McGregor is one of the UFC's biggest rising stars. In his most recent fight, he knocked out the previously unbeatable José Aldo in an unbelievable 13 seconds to become champion. The point is that the Irishman will play in an unprecedented category, in which he could lose a good part of his great attributes.

Among the featherweights, McGregor often had the advantage of being taller and having a greater wingspan than his opponents. Diaz, however, is bigger than the Irishman, which raises the question of how the new star will react to the difference.

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McGregor's biggest advantage for the fight is the fact that Diaz received the invitation to the event less than two weeks before it took place. Even so, a victory over the American will give McGregor even greater visibility, which would make it difficult for the UFC to deny the Irishman the chance to challenge Robbie Lawler at the historic UFC 200. The sky is the limit.

Overshadowed, Holm makes first save after beating Ronda

H. Holm (photo) is the new UFC bantamweight champion. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

The UFC 196 spotlight is on Conor McGregor, but the program will also feature another fight of great importance: Holly holm, who shocked the world by running over Ronda Rousey Last year, he made his first title defense against Miesha Tate.

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Combat plays a fundamental role in Holm's career. More than the desire to remain champion, the American wants to show that the result against Ronda was not the result of luck. The challenger, on the other hand, wants to finally feel the taste of winning the UFC title in her second attempt – she was already defeated by Ronda inside the octagon.

Brazilian participation

E. Silva (photo) is coming off a defeat to N. Magny. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

In total, four Brazilian representatives are confirmed for UFC 196. The most prominent are Amanda nunes, top athlete in the female bantamweight category. After winning four of the five fights she had in Ultimate, the Bahian hopes to defeat the tough Valentina Shevchenko to, perhaps, dream of a fight in front of the winner between Holm and Tate.

Erick silva will try to get out of her endless period of ups and downs against Nordine Taleb. The Espírito Santo, this time, invested in a period of training with Rafael Cordeiro, master of UFC champions Rafael dos Anjos e Fabricio Werdum. Finally, the runner-up of TUF Brasil 3, Vitor miranda, has a Brazilian duel against Marcelo Guimarães.