UFC 202: Conor McGregor defeats Nate Diaz by majority decision in Las Vegas to set-up trilogy showdown

Both men called for a third fight to settle their rivalry once and for all

Conor McGregor beat Nate Diaz by majority decision at UFC 202 (Getty)

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz will do it all over again after "The Notorious" gained revenge over his fierce rival with a thrilling victory at UFC 202 in what was undoubtedly the greatest fight on the greatest night in UFC history.

After five gruelling rounds, McGregor triumphed by majority decision, with the judges scoring the fight 48-47, 48-47 and 47-47 in the Irishman’s favour, making up for his shock defeat at IFC 196 to Diaz back in March.

“Surprise, surprise, motherf*****,” screamed McGregor after the fight. “The king is back!”

As had been predicted, McGregor utilised kicks to Diaz’s right knee and thigh, attempting to isolate the American and slow him down in order to read his attacks. It worked, and when Diaz hesitated, McGregor launched a devastating left that sent Diaz crashing to the canvas in the opening round. It would be a sign of things to come.

McGregor has no interest in going to the ground though, and waved Diaz back up to his feet – he duly obliged. As ‘The Notorious’ made his way back to his corner at the end of the first, his fans were chanting away to their own delight, but the question lingered; would McGregor regret not finishing Diaz when he had the chance just like he did at UFC 196?

Initially, it didn’t seem it. McGregor came out flying in the second and floored Diaz twice more, though again he chose not to follow in with an attack. With Diaz on the ropes, a McGregor victory felt a certainty. Then the tide turned.

Suddenly the McGregor tank was empty and Diaz knew it. His confidence grew, he started to point, smile and talk at McGregor, whose mouth was wide open gasping for air and legs doing as much running as they could. For the final three minutes of the second, Diaz dominated, but the two knockdowns would prove crucial.

Diaz fought back after his poor start (Getty) (Getty Images)

The third went the way of Diaz undoubtedly, and McGregor was lucky to see the hooter after Diaz launched a barrage of punches, elbows and knees with McGregor pinned on the fence. The Irish fans who were so triumphantly singing had been silenced, unaware that their boy had held something in reserve, learning from his mistakes in their previous fight.

McGregor got a second wind in the fourth and it now seemed as though Diaz was out on his feet. Truth be told, he was, but they don’t build them much harder than Nate Diaz and no matter what McGregor threw his way, he was still standing there and, more concerning for McGregor, was throwing punches despite having his face busted wide open and blood pouring into his eyes to obscure his vision.

With McGregor taking the fourth, it was all to play for in the final fifth round. McGregor looked to be in control, but when he turned his attentions to run down the clock after giving it all he had, Diaz launched one final attack. After two failed attempts, Diaz finally threw McGregor to the canvas and tried to follow up, but it was too late.

Diaz was left a bloodied mess after McGregor's barrage int he fourth (Getty) (Getty Images)

The final hooter went, both sets of fans roared in amazement, and in what was the greatest sight of the night, Diaz offered his hand to his adversary to pick him off the matt and share a joke together – out of pure hatred grew mutual respect. The nervous wait that followed showed just how close the fight was, and in the end it was the decision of two judges by one point that saw referee John McCarthy raise McGregor’s arm in victory.

Of course, one great fight doesn’t make for the most memorable night in UFC history, but a card that boasts seven TKOs and nine finishes in 12 fights certainly helps, and especially when that fight card contains the name Anthony ‘Rampage’ Johnson.

After being called out by veteran Glover Teixeira, Johnson duly accepted the fight in an attempt to put him back on light heavyweight champion’s Daniel Cormier’s radar. He couldn’t have done any more. As Teixeira rushed out of his corner, Johnson took a step back and launched a lethal right upper-cut that left Teixeira unconscious while still standing.

Such was the damage done to Teixeira, referee Mike Migliotta immediately waved the fight off, and once he came to, Teixeira attempted to wrestle Migliotta unaware that he had just been knocked out.

Teixeira needed medical treatment after suffering a brutal knockout (Getty) (Getty Images)

Donald Cerrone continued his impressive start to life as a welterweight after a devastating left-right jab combination to the body of Rick Story was followed up by a head kick, with ‘Cowboy’ chasing up with a secondary attack to win their clash by TKO.

However, rather than set his sights on the rest of the welterweight division, Cerrone made it clear that he wants a return to lightweight with eyes on champion Eddie Alvarez.

Cerrone wishes to return to lightweight rather than remain at welterweight (Getty) (Getty Images)

Mike Perry announced his arrival in the UFC with a devastating TKO victory over Hyun Gyu Lim, while Tim Means proved his credentials once again with a masterclass display to torment Sabah Homasi on his first appearance inside the Octagon to also win by stoppage.

On the prelims, Cody Garbrandt took his next step on his collision course with bantamweight champion Dominic Cruz as he stopped Takeya Mizugaki inside the first round with a brutal knockout.

Full fight card

Main Card:

Conor McGregor DEF Nate Diaz by majority decision (welterweight)

Anthony Johnson DEF Glover Teixeira by TKO (light-heavyweight)

Donald Cerrone DEF Rick Story by TKO(welterweight)

Mike Perry DEF Hyun Gyu Lim by TKO (welterweight)

Tim Means DEF Sabah Homasi by TKO (welterweight)

Prelims:

Cody Garbrandt DEF Takeya Mizugaki by TKO (bantamweight)

Raquel Pennington DEF Elizabeth Phillips by unanimous decision (women’s bantamweight)

Artem Lobov DEF Chris Avila by unanimous decision (featherweight)

Cortney Casey DEF Randa Markos by submission (women’s strawweight)

Early prelims:

Lorenz Larkin DEF Neil Magby by TKO (welterweight)

Colby Covington DEF Max Griffin by TKO (welterweight)

Marvin Vettori DEF Alberto Uda by submission (welterweight)