10 Predictions For UFC 196

1. Conor McGregor Vs. Nate Diaz

Weight Class: Welterweight Some fans were surprised to see Conor McGregor (19€“2) remain in the main event slot after his title shot with Rafael Dos Anjos fell through. After all, UFC belts are supposed to be given a certain amount of respect, and McGregor's replacement fight against Nate Diaz (18€“10) is not a title fight. That said, he is a champion - and people paid to see McGregor for five rounds or less. And so the UFC opted to make McGregor vs. Diaz the main event. It's not a bad call, just a business decision. What can you expect in the cage? McGregor is fighting up two weight classes here, but so is Diaz, who normally works at lightweight. In fact, McGregor is still likely the bigger man, with better striking. Diaz has volume punches, but he's no knockout artist; his best shot at a win is getting McGregor down and using his jiu-jitsu against the Irish star. Problem is, Diaz isn't a takedown machine, and he's easy to lure into a stand-up battle, which McGregor will probably win. This fight may set a record for most in-cage jawing and middle-finger flipping. It's an insanely marketable match and will probably do a ton of buys on PPV. It's a way to get McGregor into the welterweight picture even before he has a title shot at lightweight, without having to risk him against a regular welterweight fighter. When it comes to McGregor, it's almost impossible to bet against him at this point - he keeps doing what he says he'll do. McGregor by knockout in whatever round he claims it will happen in, because he'll probably be right.