Conor McGregor-Nate Diaz welterweight rematch to headline UFC 200

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

March 30, 2016 4:39 PM PT

Conor McGregor won’t settle for an excusable loss to Nate Diaz 25 pounds above his weight class, and on Wednesday, a main-event rematch was made between the two at the same 170-pound welterweight limit for UFC 200 on July 9 at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s marquee event of the year will star the popular McGregor, of Ireland, who boldly decided to move up from a scratched lightweight title shot against injured champion Rafael Dos Anjos earlier this month to fight Stockton’s Diaz at 170 pounds.

McGregor (19-3) in December won the UFC’s featherweight (145 pounds) belt by ending Jose Aldo’s 10-year unbeaten run.

The UFC also announced Wednesday that Aldo will fight former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar for the interim featherweight belt at UFC 200, a designation that will allow McGregor to fight the winner if he opts to return to the division.

“I’m excited to be fighting on UFC 200 for the UFC title. The best are supposed to fight the best, which I have done thru out my career, July 9th will be no different against Aldo. I look forward to beating him and finally facing Conor because this is the last stop and he can’t run anymore,” said Edgar.

Aldo’s interest for now is on settling the loss to Diaz (20-10), who used his comfort with the extra weight to land heavy second-round punches on McGregor, who fatigued carrying the extra load and succumbed later in the round to defeat by submission via rear naked chokehold.

UFC 200 will also include a heavyweight bout between former champion Cain Velasquez and Travis Browne, who dates Ronda Rousey.

Veteran lightweights Diego Sanchez and Joe Lauzon will also fight on the card.

It’s still unclear if the UFC will add a title fight as a co-main event featuring candidates Robbie Lawler at welterweight, Miesha Tate at women’s bantamweight, or Dos Anjos.

Twitter: @latimespugmire

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