LAS VEGAS (AP) – Moments after Nate Diaz choked out Conor McGregor and punched a big hole in the UFC’s plans, Diaz took the microphone and triumphantly, profanely declared his victory was “no surprise!”
Maybe not to Diaz. The rest of the sport is still reeling from a revolutionary Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The pandemonium caused by Miesha Tate and Diaz had barely subsided when everyone else began pondering the future created by their back-to-back upset victories at UFC 196.
Tate and Diaz scrapped some tentative plans for the promotion’s landmark UFC 200 show in July. Yet they also created many tantalizing new possibilities in a sport that isn’t afraid of a little chaos.
After his stunning dismissal of the touted McGregor, Diaz (20-10) likely could have virtually any fight he wants in two weight classes, perhaps including a title shot at either lightweight or welterweight. He isn’t picking an opponent yet, but he wants a big check.