7 Incredibly Heated UFC Press Conferences

It was supposed to go another way.

Irish megastar Conor McGregor was supposed to fight then-Lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos in a highly-anticipated bout. Instead, RDA pulled out and Stockton's other favourite son Nate Diaz came in to replace him. This presser marked the beginning of their infamous, and oftentimes personal, rivalry. Conor, who was in the midst of his burgeoning global popularity, first made it seem like Nate wasn't ready for a fight at Lightweight.

That was essentially where the pleasantries ended. Nate quickly interjected by saying (in typical Diaz brother fashion, no less) he was ready for a fight at anytime. A few expletive-ladened exchanges later, and Conor made two of his most infamous insults. He first called Nate a 'cholo gangster from the hood' who went on bike rides with the elderly, while teaching kids jiu-jitsu on Sunday mornings. Using Nate's hometown of Stockton, California as a basis, McGregor finished by saying Nate was a credit to his community, and made gun signs with the right hand, while making animal balloons with the other.

To his credit, Nate made sure to make it known that he literally couldn't care less about what he was saying or his title. He went on to say that he fought way better caliber athletes than Conor, not before accusing the then-Featherweight champion of taking steroids. Even Nick Diaz. who was in the audience, shouted something inaudible in an attempt to join in on the verbal exchanges.

Luckily for fight fans, Nate's victory at UFC 196, along with Conor's win at UFC 202, ensured that this rivalry, trash talk and all, would persist. The rubber fight, and the marketing leading up to it, can't come soon enough.