Nate Diaz made startling comment before his famous submission victory over Conor McGregor
02/18/2025 10:49 AM
As if he could tell the future, Nate Diaz foreshadowed exactly how he’d beat Conor McGregor, with a cryptic remark.
After Rafael Dos Anjos pulled out with an injured foot, on short notice, the Stockton brawler stepped-up to the plate to face ‘The Notorious’ at UFC 196.
And while the world counted him out, Diaz refused to listen to the doubters, believing he had what it took to upset the applecart.
He went as far as insinutating he knew exactly what was going to happen once he got his hands on McGregor.
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Nate Diaz told Conor McGregor that he needed a knockout
When Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz signed on the dotted line, the Irishman instantly went on the offensive, trying desperately to get under his rival’s skin.
However, unlike most, the American wasn’t overwhelmed by the trash talk fired in his direction. After all, Diaz is decent at verbal warfare himself, recently branding Islam Makhachev an ‘Ewok’.
Regardless, the Dubliner couldn’t quite crack his opponent. During an interview with UFC on Fox, McGregor said he’d win via first-round KO, to which Diaz replied: “You better hope.”
Stunned by the remark, the host asked the Californian to repeat himself.
The fighter emphasized: “He better hope he gets that knockout. Otherwise, it’s going to be a f—– up night for him.”
As it turned out, this was exactly the case. After riding out a storm, the underdog overwhelmed McGregor under an unrelenting wave of pressure, before taking his back and choking him out, to claim one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.
Why Georges St-Pierre vs Nate Diaz never happened
While Diaz claimed an exceptional victory against McGregor, a win over Georges St-Pierre would’ve been even better for his legacy.
The pair of UFC legends nearly went head-to-head, with ‘Rush’ heavily considering whether to take the offer.
However, in the end, he declined.
Now, St-Pierre has revealed why he turned down the chance to fight Diaz.
