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Conor McGregor granted Nate Diaz rematch after surprise loss

Conor McGregor punches Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by
Image: Conor McGregor will take on Nate Diaz against this summer after their rematch was confirmed on Wednesday

Conor McGregor has been granted a rematch this summer with the man who gave him the first defeat of his Ultimate Fighting Championship career.

The featherweight will get another chance to prove himself as a welterweight when he takes on Nate Diaz once more on the UFC 200 card in Las Vegas on July 9.

Californian Diaz - whose own career record is mixed with 19 wins and 10 losses - caused a shock earlier this month when he choked McGregor into submission at UFC 196.

UFC boss Dana White posted a picture on Twitter of the two men above the caption '200' upon announcing the headline bout late on Wednesday.

White later told ESPN SportsCenter he and UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta had encouraged McGregor not to fight at 170 pounds, 25 more than the 27-year-old's usual featherweight limit.

Nate Diaz applies a chokehold to win by submission against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March
Image: Diaz handed McGregor his first UFC defeat on March 5 when he choked the Irishman into submission on round two

The Irishman had not lost in more than five years and was unbeaten since joining the UFC until he was stopped in round two by Diaz on March 5.

White said of the number one-ranked 27-year-old: "He was obsessed - obsessed with fighting Nate Diaz again.

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"Obviously, Lorenzo and I tried to argue with him and said: 'Let's go back to 145 and defend your title. Or if you really want the Diaz fight that bad, do it at 155.' He wants the fight at 170.

"Even his coach tried to get him to get off the rematch and off the 170-pound fight - but it's what he wanted."

Conor McGregor exits the Octagon after his fight against Nate Diaz in their welterweight bout during the UFC 196 at the MGM Grand
Image: McGregor had not lost in more than five years until Diaz's surprise win

McGregor had hurt Diaz early in their first bout in Las Vegas but could not capitalise and the bigger man landed some punishing blows himself before his jiu-jitsu talents won him the fight.

White said Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar would also square off on the UFC 200 card, with the winner then taking on McGregor for the featherweight belt regardless of the Dubliner's result against Diaz.

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