5 reasons to watch UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor 2
UFC superstars Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor go to war in the main event of UFC 202 in a rematch of their exciting fight at UFC 196 back in March.
In addition to that rematch, the rest of this weekend’s card is packed with exciting fights that should entertain fans, from the UFC Fight Pass prelims through the main card. Let’s take a look at the five best reasons to watch UFC 202 this Saturday.
The rematch of all rematches
The rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor is undoubtedly the biggest rematch of the year and could be one of the most anticipated rematches in combat sports history. Diaz was able to take the first fight by second-round submission, but it was no easy task. McGregor cracked Diaz over and over in the first round with heavy shots, but Diaz was able to survive.
How will both fighters fare after full training camps where they prepared for each other? Can Diaz withstand those shots all over again? Has McGregor’s ground game improved enough to keep up with Diaz if that’s where the fight goes? All of these questions will likely be answered this Saturday at UFC 202.
Title shot on the line
Two of the hardest-hitting light heavyweights square off in the co-main event of UFC 202 when Glover Teixeira battles Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Not only will the winner claim victory on Saturday, he will also earn a shot at current champion Daniel Cormier.
With a combined 30 knockouts on their records, this fight is guaranteed to have fireworks, but the chance of a title shot makes Johnson vs. Teixeira that much more special.
Magnificent Magny
Neil Magny has won an incredible 10 fights since 2014 and is coming off an exceptional win over Hector Lombard when he landed a career-high 148 significant strikes. He also earned wins over the likes of Kelvin Gastelum, Erick Silva, Hyun Gyu Lim and Tim Means during that streak while losing only to fourth-ranked welterweight Demian Maia. Watching Magny run through the ranks after starting his UFC career 1-2 has been fantastic. If he can get it done against Lorenz Larkin, he deserves another shot at the top five.
Bantamweight bruiser
UFC bantamweight Cody Garbrandt has been knocking 135-pounders out left and right and has an opportunity to earn his fourth UFC knockout. After starching previously undefeated Thomas Almeida in the first round of their main event fight at UFC Vegas back in May, Garbrandt put his name on the UFC bantamweight title shot short list.
If he can become just the second man -- behind Dominick Cruz -- to finish Takeya Mizugaki with punches, he’ll all but guarantee himself a UFC bantamweight title fight.
Squad vs. Squad
Not only are heated rivals Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz squaring off in the main event of UFC 202, but two of their teammates will also go toe-to-toe during the prelims to kick off a team vs. team clash. Stockton’s Chris Avila is 5-2 as a professional with three wins by knockout. He’ll take on McGregor’s teammate Artem Lobov, who is looking for his first win in the UFC after a loss in the Ultimate Fighter and in his first fight outside of the show.
