Nate Diaz beats Conor McGregor: UFC 196 stunned as Holly Holm choked unconscious by Miesha Tate

'I took a chance to move up a weight and it didn't work,' says defeated Irish champion

The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas played host to one of the craziest ever nights of UFC action when both Conor McGregor and Holly Holm were defeated in an incredible evening of upsets.

In the main fight of the UFC 196 event, featherweight champion McGregor was defeated by Nate Diaz in the Irishman's debut bout at 170lbs as he stepped up two weight divisions.

The evening started out well for the Irishman and in the first round with McGregor pushing the pace and landed the harder shots. By the time the first round was over, Diaz had a serious cut over his right eye, bleeding profusely, as the round drew to a close with McGregor seemingly in total control.

At the start of the second round, the fighters immediately started trading again but this time, it was Diaz who rocked McGregor with a counter left that changed the complexion of the bout.

From there Diaz poured on the pressure and he pursued a dazed McGregor relentlessly. McGregor bravely tried to fight back before a desperate takedown attempt saw the Irishman end up eating punches on the mat. As McGregor turned, Diaz took his back and sunk in a choke for the win in front of a stunned MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Speaking to Joe Rogan afterwards, the winner Diaz said: “I’m always in good shape, I peak as I go. I thought I landed with some good punches that got him off. I started off slow but I’m faster than anyone later on. My jiu-jitsu is always there for me.”

A stunned McGregor was humble in defeat and showed respect to his opponent: “I thought I took him the first round. I’m humble in victory or defeat. I took a chance to move up in weight and it didn’t work. I respect Nate. It is what it is. I’ll face it like a man.”