Conor McGregor replays miscues of first Diaz fight, promises winning fixes

Conor McGregor talked to Times sports writer Lance Pugmire about the UFC 202 melee and his fight with Nate Diaz.

By Lance Pugmire

Aug. 17, 2016 11:30 AM PT

Reporting from LAS VEGAS — As he heads to Wednesday’s UFC 202 news conference with Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor admits he was “a little overeager with my talk,” in advance of his March loss to Diaz.

McGregor (19-3), preparing for a Saturday rematch at the same 170-pound limit he lost to Diaz by second-round submission in UFC 196, spoke on the UFC promotional film “Bad Blood,” of getting too caught up in the excitement of his first-round success.

He said he couldn’t remember what his coach John Kavanagh was telling him between rounds as he watched replays of his best punches on Diaz on a video board and was distracted by the crowd’s roars of support.

“I usually zone out of [the replays], the music,” McGregor said. “I’m focused on my corner, I’m engaged with my corner, listening to my corner. [Last] time, I was looking at the screen, smiling at [Diaz], he’s smiling at me.

“My coach is speaking instructions and I’m not paying attention. I’m in the game, playing a game. That, I regret.

“This time, I will not make that same mistake.”

McGregor’s intense interest in winning this rematch has been so rapt he argued with his UFC superiors over attending a news conference and marketing commitments over his previously scheduled main event with Diaz at UFC 200 in July.

That got him pulled from the card, and placed on UFC 202.

He said it’s his hope that intense focus will decide the outcome.

“I’m extraordinarily prepared, prepared for everything he has to give and I anticipate him being there for the full distance,” McGregor said. “I wasn’t anticipating him being there longer than the first round last time, so … I’ve made adjustments for his height, his weight, his reach, his durability.”

Ireland’s McGregor (19-3) is a slight minus 130 favorite over Stockton’s Diaz (20-10) in Las Vegas sports books.

“I’m prepared and I’m looking forward to showing him what I’ve been working on, because I’ve been working hard,” McGregor said.

Conor McGregor, left, and Nate Diaz exchange punches during their welterweight fight at UFC 196 on March 5.

He thinks Diaz is heavy and has to deal with a tough weight cut, although Diaz has joked it’s “nothing missing a couple dinners,” won’t solve.

McGregor also takes heart with how he landed punches on Diaz in the first round. He said he credits Diaz for his prior durability and the experience he has in his 10th UFC year.

My punches “will be more consistent,” McGregor said. “And they’ll be there for longer.”

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