More press-conference fireworks are expected from Conor McGregor at 9pm tonight after his replacement opponent for UFC 196 was announced.
Nate Diaz will take on McGregor on March 5 in Las Vegas but first will have to face McGregor’s press conference taunting.
Aside from the likely verbal sparring, the questioning is expected to focus on McGregor’s weight gain for the fight.
The Featherweight (145-pound) champion was preparing to increase to 155 pounds to face Lightweight belt-holder Rafael dos Anjos, but will instead fight Diaz at welterweight (170 pounds).
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According to one journalist, McGregor has been walking around at 177 pounds this week, which would mean a small weight cut for the pre-Diaz weigh-in.
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[/raw]I spoke to McGregor's team earlier this week his walk around weight is 177lbs so will still cut a little to make welterweight #UFC196
— Jim Edwards (@MMA_Jim) February 24, 2016
The 30-year-old Diaz, who has an 18-10 record, steps in for the non-title bout after Dos Anjos broke his foot in training.
The injury will delay McGregor’s attempt to become the UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion.
