Welcome to The Red Corner, a brand new boxing and MMA column brought to you by the Amarillo Pioneer, covering the world of boxing and mixed martial arts. This column will bring you news, opinions, and quick facts that you need to know about the fights that make the sports world pay attention.
In 2016, a pair of fights featuring Stockton, California-based brawler Nate Diaz and money machine Conor McGregor turned in big business for the UFC. After winning a shock upset submission victory over McGregor in their first pairing, Diaz dropped the second fight to McGregor by split decision in their second outing.
A third fight between the pair seemed inevitable. Just months later, McGregor would instead opt to successfully chase his goal of being the UFC’s first simultaneous double champion in two weight classes, knocking out then-lightweight king Eddie Alvarez to take the throne in both the lightweight and featherweight divisions. This success would propel McGregor into his big-money boxing debut against unbeaten boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and an eventual mega-fight in the UFC against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Meanwhile, Diaz took a hiatus from the UFC before his 2019 return, in which he picked up a decision win over former lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis. Diaz would go on to face Jorge Masvidal in a BMF title fight at Madison Square Garden later that year, dropping the bout to Masvidal due to a controversial doctor stoppage regarding a cut over Diaz’s eye.
Now, we fast forward to 2021, with McGregor currently lined up for a rematch with Dustin Poirier — the man who handed him his most recent loss in January of this year. Diaz also appeared in the cage earlier this month, dropping a unanimous decision loss to underrated welterweight sensation Leon “Rocky” Edwards, who Diaz nearly finished in the final minute of their fight in what has to be one of the most notable comebacks in a UFC fight this year.
As for Diaz, he is widely expected to seek another fight in the cage this year, although his potential opponent remains a mystery. Meanwhile, McGregor is currently sitting as an underdog in his July 10 rematch with Poirier, which, if Las Vegas oddsmakers correctly predict, would be his third loss in his past six UFC fights.
If McGregor wins his bout against Poirier, fight fans better believe that the former UFC lightweight champion would likely catapult himself right back into the title picture against newly-minted 155-pound king Charles Oliveira. If he loses, however, it might be the right time for the UFC to look at the third pairing of Diaz and McGregor, two icons of the sport.
Both Diaz and McGregor have proven themselves as major stars in the UFC and the types of fighters that fans love plopping down pay-per-view bucks to watch. The fight would certainly do big business and would finally settle the score on one of the UFC’s most notable rivalries of all time.
This bout should have come years ago, but it’s not too late (yet) to make the fight. Regardless of whether McGregor wins or loses in July, he should face Diaz next, but the fight should especially be made if he loses the bout.
It’s time for both men to settle the score and give fans the closure they need on this iconic rivalry.
Diaz vs. McGregor III. Let’s book it, UFC.