Kenny Florian: Nate Diaz broke Conor McGregor mentally
Before UFC 196, Conor McGregor called Nate Diaz's Brazilian jiu-jitsu "overrated," said his striking was basic, and insulted him with ethnic slurs. On fight night, however, McGregor submitted to the Stockton fighter.
Diaz's striking was more effective, and his jiu-jitsu was fight-ending. Retired UFC title contender and FOX Sports analyst Kenny Florian told listeners of he and Jon Anik's podcast this week that McGregor didn't have proper respect for Diaz.
"I don't think Conor respected Nate Diaz. He didn't respect Nate Diaz the way you should," he said.
"He didn't think his chin was going to be able to hold up. He thought his punches were going to land and Nate Diaz was just going to crumble. He underestimated him."
McGregor has phenomenal power in his punches and when he was unable to stop Diaz, despite hitting him heavy and often, Florian believes it got to the Irishman. "The other thing is, and Conor kinda of talked about this, is his lack of efficiency. Conor was trying to knock him out with every shot. Before he realized that he was tired, it was too late," Florian explained.
"I think that was the difference. When he saw that Nate Diaz was still walking forward, still throwing shots and landing them, I think mentally it broke Conor.
"He goes, 'My god, against other normal human beings, 145-pounders, these guys crumbled with the power.' I think that really threw him for a loop. He didn't expect Nate Diaz to stay standing like that."
