‘Bloody battle of attrition’: UFC fans react to ‘brutal’ McGregor-Diaz brawl (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
Conor McGregor may have exacted revenge against bitter rival MMA fighter Nate Diaz, but it was the ferocious manner with which the pair traded blows that really overawed fans.
The grudge match went to five rounds in front of a baying crowd in Las Vegas, with the judges scoring the close fight in the Irishman’s favor.
That kind of respect is only gained through the toughest of battles in pure unarmed combat #UFC202#McGregorDiazpic.twitter.com/W29DTt7U00
— RobTortureWright (@TortureUFC) August 21, 2016
READ MORE: McGregor beats Nate Diaz on points at UFC 202
The UFC 202 main event has been likened to a bout between fictional boxing rivals Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, thanks to an intense build up and the dogged nature of both fighters.
That McGregor-Diaz fight was a real life Rocky fight. Sat there like a movie thinking there's no way this can be real. Unreal fight.
— chris stone (@cstone29) August 21, 2016
McGregor just pulled a Rocky 2 and beat Diaz like Rocky did to Apollo Creed
— Rich Boi (@TheMightyScrep) August 21, 2016
Nate Diaz fights like rocky I swear hahahaha takes abuse early, then attacks once McGregor gets fatigued from throwing so many punches
— Derek Gonzales (@derekgonz34) August 21, 2016
McGregor/Diaz is the closest thing to Rocky/Apollo Imaginable.
— Ben Nelson (@BNels10) August 21, 2016
Viewers have since tweeted about the severe punishment both fighters were able to withstand, with one fan describing the match as a “bloody battle of attrition.”
@ufc 202 was sick! @TheNotoriousMMA and @NateDiaz209 in a bloody battle of attrition that went to 🇮🇪. Conor says #3 has to be at 155lbs. 👊💰💵
— Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) August 21, 2016
Got up and watched @ufc 202 Diaz v MacGregor 2. That was absolutely brutal. Very close. Can't wait for the decider #UFC202@UNIBETAustralia
— Baden Cooke (@badencooke) August 21, 2016
UFC 202 was a straight war! Congrats to @TheNotoriousMMA for stopping at nothing for redemption! pic.twitter.com/gZnObKaTqP
— Rob Dyrdek (@robdyrdek) August 21, 2016
UFC 202 was an all out war 👊🏽😤
— Zachary (@ErrbodyLuvsZach) August 21, 2016
In the lead up to the UFC 202 grudge match, McGregor had threatened to ‘kill’ Diaz in the octagon, following his defeat to the Stockton fighter last March.
READ MORE: Conor McGregor threatens to ‘kill’ Diaz at UFC 202 grudge match (VIDEOS)
But despite Diaz being dropped three times during the fight, there wasn’t much between the pair, with both fighters ending the match battered and bloodied - but somehow still standing.
In a post-match interview, McGregor paid tribute to his hard-hitting opponent, praising him for putting up stiff resistance.
“He was about 25lbs heavier than me in there. Man, he is as tough as they come. I mean his face was leaking and he was still in my face.
“I hit him one or two [punches] back to the body and that sort of swayed it in my favor, but it was a hell of fight. Very close fight. It’s one for the ages.”
The scorecard for the T Mobile Arena match-up shows judges awarded the fight to McGregor in a majority decision.
McGregor vs. Diaz II scorecard #UFC202pic.twitter.com/zFJ5YdJ0bT
— Mike Chiappetta MMA (@MikeChiappetta) August 21, 2016
However, debate has erupted online over the result, with a split among some UFC fans over whether McGregor really did gain the upper hand.
Nah Nate Diaz won that fight! He a performer.
— Dillon (@deejayrupp) August 21, 2016
Anyone who watched that fight or understands UFC knows low key Diaz won, but its better for UFC is CM won. HELLA GOOD fight, both deserve it
— daddy. (@Joshiebayy) August 21, 2016
Thats weak....Diaz clearly won but they gotta give it to MacGregor cuz they gon make more $$ off the next fight AND hes a better entertainer
— +LordWåve+ (@CenaPinkDolphin) August 21, 2016
McGregor did what he had to do to win. Great night of fighting!!!
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) August 21, 2016
McGregor deserved it, barely. Inflicted more punishment. Refused to be taken down. The better boxer. But Nate Diaz has HUGE HEART.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 21, 2016
Mcgregor deserved the win, won at least 3 rounds, possibly 4 depending who you ask. Looking forward to #McgregorDiaz3@ufc
— Sheldon Nolan (@ReachNolie) August 21, 2016
Diaz has since said he was surprised that McGregor was awarded the victory.
“I thought I won at least three rounds. Obviously I think I could have done better and done some better things. But yeah, I thought I won the fight,” he said.
He accused McGregor of being “scared to engage” and backing off during the fight.
“I feel like they [the judges] should have taken points [off] for that,” Diaz added.
VIDEO: post fight Conor McGregor says its 1:1 now, if Nate Diaz wants a rubber match it'll be on his terms at 155 lb pic.twitter.com/FbVH2K3U9m
— Boxing-Hype.com (@BoxingHype) August 21, 2016
With the scores now equal after two fights, fans are now calling for the pair to return to the octagon in the near future to decide things once and for all.
What a fight! McGregor by Majority Decision. Don't like him going down to fight Aldo, then come back up. Do the trilogy first, then Aldo!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 21, 2016
McGregor says he wants a trilogy at 155. Sign me up. Do that ASAP. Sorry, Jose.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) August 21, 2016
I say let Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor go their separate ways for now and bring them back for the trilogy fight at 155lbs UFC 209 Q1 2017.
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) August 21, 2016
Brilliant rematch last night #ufc202
— Tom Hendricks (@TheTomHendricks) August 21, 2016
Credit to McGregor - complete the trilogy now!
McGregor calls for a trilogy fight at 155. They're 1-1, but he's done at 170.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 21, 2016
