Conor McGregor vows to learn from past mistakes against Nate Diaz
By Michael Kelleher
Last Updated: 07/07/16 11:02pm
Conor McGregor admits he underestimated Nate Diaz when they last met but vowed not to make the same mistake at UFC 202.
Californian Diaz caused a shock in March when he choked McGregor into submission at UFC 196, after stepping in as a late-notice replacement for lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos.
The pair are set to meet again on August 20 in Las Vegas with McGregor looking to exact revenge for his humbling defeat.
McGregor admits he has gone back to the drawing board after the loss and has altered his training approach by bringing in specific opponents to mimic Diaz's southpaw style and long reach.
However, although McGregor admits to making some changes, he vowed to keep the same high-pressure, high-volume approach he has become known for during the fight.
"They may feel that I am going to tip-tap and hit-and-run but I am going to go and do what I always do," McGregor said.
"I am going to go out, press forward and have that man backed up similar to the way I had him backed up in the last fight and I am going to tee off on him.
"This time I am going to be a lot more prepared for the size and the weight and for the distance also.
"All my sparring partners are 6ft plus. I'm sparring middleweights for this contest so when I feel that extra weight, I will understand that I must piece the shots together well.
"One thing I underestimated was his durability and his experience. I will not make that same mistake again."
The rematch between McGregor and Diaz was originally scheduled to be held this Saturday at UFC 200 but was pulled when the Irishman refused to fly to Las Vegas for a press conference to promote the event in April.
The UFC subsequently booked a light-heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier to replace it in the main event slot - a decision which backfired spectacularly on Wednesday when it was announced Jones had failed a drugs test.
McGregor passed up the opportunity to gloat at the UFC's misfortune as company president Dan White looked on glumly but he did eagerly point out that neither Jones nor Cormier, nor Brock Lesnar or Mark Hunt, who will now main event UFC 200, were present at that now infamous press conference in April.
"I could sit up here and say 'well, well, well' but I am a successful human being and successful human beings do not celebrate in the adversity or misfortune of others," McGregor said.
"I wish Jon (Jones) well. I wish everyone backstage well. I know they are running around like headless chickens trying to get everything together.
"But all I missed was a press conference. If I look at the facts, the main event and the co-main event of the card weren't even at that press conference.
"So, it is what it is. August 20 is my date. UFC 202 will be the real UFC 200 and I will have my redemption."
When asked if he would be willing to step into the breach at UFC 200, McGregor said: "You know, I am here and I am in shape. All they have got to do is ask."
