50 MMA Fights You Must Watch Before You Die
4. Nate Diaz Vs. Conor McGregor 2 - UFC 196
Ever since he made his UFC debut in 2013, Conor McGregor has been the talk of the MMA world. Whatever he does, good or bad, the Irish double UFC champion will go down as one of the most polarising figures inside the sport. For three years, he delivered knockout blow after knockout blow to nearly every opponent who came in range of his devastating left hand.
That was until he met infamous lightweight contender, Nate Diaz, at UFC 196 in a short notice fight at welterweight. Diaz shocked the world that night, tiring out McGregor with a flurry of punches before eventually submitting him with a rear naked choke in the second.
It didn't take long for a rematch to get booked, and the anticipation was palpable. What made the fight so special is because McGregor had an opponent who he wouldn't be able to break. He was now facing someone who could take his rocket launcher of a left hand and keep moving forward and keep attacking.
We also saw a different McGregor that night. A more calm, assured and patient McGregor who didn't just explode out the gate. He took his time, picked his shots and just about got the victory in one of the more tactical performances fights of his career.