LAS VEGAS (AP) – The Latest from UFC 202, where Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz will fight in an anticipated rematch from UFC 196 (all times local):
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6:55 p.m.
Bantamweight prospect Cody Garbrandt (10-0) notched his fifth UFC win with a devastating first-round knockout over veteran Japanese fighter Takeya Mizugaki (21-10-2). Garbrandt, known for his power, wasted no time in pressuring Mizugaki, landing a flurry of punches that sent Mizugaki to his knees. Garbrandt then pounced, landing crosses and hammer fists that forced the referee to stop the fight after 48 seconds.
“I respect him as a veteran,” Garbrandt said. “I noticed I hurt him early on. I had to pick my spots and take him out.”
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6:50 p.m.
UFC 202 is underway, and Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz are nearly ready to begin their rematch of a two-round bout from March.
McGregor was originally supposed to fight Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight title at UFC 196, but dos Anjos pulled out due to injury. McGregor agreed instead to fight Diaz in a welterweight bout, and Diaz finished the flyweight champion with a rear naked choke in the second round, ending McGregor’s 15-match winning streak.
A rematch was immediately set for the landmark UFC 200 card but canceled when McGregor announced his retirement and refused to meet with media. McGregor did not end up retiring, but UFC did drop him from the card.
Instead the anticipated rematch was set for UFC 202. The garrulous McGregor has promised to finish Diaz early this time around, and promotion for the fight included a bottle-throwing melee at a press conference Wednesday.
They are again fighting at welterweight, with McGregor planning to drop back down to lightweight following the bout win or lose.
The rest of the card includes Tim Means vs. Sabah Homasi, Hyun Gyu Lim vs. Mike Perry, Rick Story vs. Donald Cerrone and Anthony Johnson vs. Glover Teixeira.