UFC 202 tips: Five potential outcomes for Conor McGregor-Nate Diaz rematch
Lee Gormley | August 17, 2016
UFC 202 tips for McGregor-Diaz rematch
Fight night is almost upon us, with the highly-anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz taking place this weekend at UFC 202, as the pair prepare to face-off once again in the early hours of Sunday.
In the desert of Las Vegas, ‘the Notorious’ will look to avenge his maiden UFC 196 defeat to Diaz, while the latter Stockton fighter is aiming to prove his initial victory wasn’t just a flash in the pan.
So, ahead of the second octagon meeting between McGregor and Diaz, Coral outline UFC 202 tips, highlighting five potential outcomes for punters to consider before the awaited rematch in Sin City…
McGregor to stop Diaz in second round
This imminent follow-up bout between McGregor and Diaz has also seen the return of ‘Mystic Mac’, with the Irishman having previously predicted the outcome of his earlier UFC outings, and more often than not he was spot on.
The deadly Dubliner has enjoyed a full training camp specifically tailored to deal with the threat of Diaz this time, having initially been getting ready for Rafael dos Anjos before their first clash, and he has outlined a decisive second round finish for fight night.
Speaking during media duties in the build-up, the confident Irishman claimed he can’t see Diaz going beyond the second round in their rematch, and he is 11/2 to back this up by handing his Californian opponent a knockout then.
Diaz to secure second successive submission
McGregor may be full of confidence for his latest outing, but for those leaning towards another Diaz triumph, promising odds of 5/2 can be snapped up on the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt securing a second successive submission win.
The 31-year-old boasts the second-most submission victories in UFC history, with nine of his 12 career wins coming via that method, and his success in this second bout will likely depend on his ground game and grappling. It’s worth noting that all three of McGregor’s career losses have come by submission too.
Although Diaz is renowned for his submission finishes, it’s the Stockton native’s solid boxing skills that ultimately wear his foes down and set up those decisive takedowns, having sparred with former super-middleweight kingpin Andre Ward before, giving McGregor plenty to be cautious of this weekend.
‘The Notorious’ to beat Diaz over the distance
McGregor has only ever went the distance on one occasion in his 22-fight career which has spanned 12 years, having outpointed Max Holloway back in August 2013 in Boston.
Though, after running out of steam in the maiden meeting with Diaz, the Irishman admitted he completely altered his training schedule to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself, focusing a lot on cardio to get help get him through to the Championship rounds if needed.
The 28-year-old is therefore 15/2 to gain revenge this time around by overcoming Diaz on points over the five-round distance.
Rematch to have over 3.5 rounds
Following on from the previous selection, with McGregor working hard with his trainer John Kavanagh to make sure he can take Diaz into deep water come fight night and not burn out, a 13/8 price can be had on there being 3.5 rounds (four or more).
Diaz has been the distance 11 times in his MMA career to date, winning on three occasions, most recently last year when he dominated Michael Johnson, but the veteran has been on the losing end eight times. McGregor will look to add to that list of defeats and is 15/2 to earn a decision success at UFC 202.
McGregor to halt Diaz in fourth round
As well as McGregor having made his prediction for fight night, his esteemed coach Kavanagh has also chipped in with his thoughts on how he sees proceedings playing out come Sunday morning in the octagon.
The Dublin trainer, who runs Ireland’s highly regarded Straight Blast Gym, has heaped mass praise on his fighter’s impressive preparations for this weekend and outlined a fourth-round KO as the outcome.
If punters like the sound of Kavanagh’s prediction, tasty 16/1 odds are available on McGregor halting Diaz in the fourth round in what should be another enthralling meeting at UFC 202.
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