UFC champion Conor McGregor will now fight Nate Diaz
'The energy he has at this weight is way better'
By James Dielhenn
Last Updated: 24/02/16 4:10pm
Nate Diaz has stepped in to fight Conor McGregor at less than two weeks' notice after Rafael dos Anjos' withdrawal due to injury.
Featherweight champion McGregor was due to challenge for Dos Anjos' lightweight title in an attempt to become the first UFC fighter to hold simultaneous belts, but the Brazilian has withdrawn with a broken foot.
UFC veteran Diaz (18-10) has been drafted in and will fight McGregor (19-2) on March 5 at welterweight (170lbs), a full 25lbs above the weight division in which the Irishman reigns as champion.
He's a lot stronger at this weight because he has built himself up. The energy he has at this weight is way better.
McGregor's coach Owen Roddy
"In regards to the new weight, he's got a lot more energy and he's a lot faster," McGregor's coach Owen Roddy told Sky Sports.
"He's also a lot stronger at this weight because he has built himself up. The energy he has at this weight is way better. Usually he's cutting weight for two or three weeks but this time he's not, which is a huge difference.
"Mentally, it's a great thing for Conor to not be worrying about his weight cut anymore so he has enjoyed his training. He's eating rather than going to bed hungry. These are huge things."
The last-gasp change of opponents represents the second time in seven months that McGregor has been forced to readjust before a world title fight.
In July, then-featherweight king Jose Aldo dropped out and Chad Mendes stepped up at short-notice but McGregor beat him by knockout. In December, McGregor stopped Aldo in 13 seconds of their rearranged title fight.
Diaz, the 30-year-old from California, is ranked at No 5 at lightweight (155lbs) but wouldn't have been able to make weight in time so a limit of 170lbs was agreed. Diaz won his last fight against Michael Johnson but has a previous loss to Dos Anjos on his record.
The women's bantamweight fight between Holly Holm and Miesha Tate will go ahead as the co-main event.
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