Last Updated : 3rd March, 2016 By Alex M

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Conor McGregor V Nate Diaz Preview

This isn't the super fight UFC fans were promised, but it's still going be a pretty attractive substitute. This match-up presents more of an outright possibility of a fight, whereas Rafael dos Anjos - who had to pull out of the champion versus champion clash with an injured foot - is a much more well-rounded performer. Still, when the 'Notorious' is in town, any UFC card becomes must see television.

McGregor's Magic

The Dublin-born featherweight champion is the face of the UFC - that's a fact. Owner Dana White is fully invested in the charismatic knock-out puncher and for good reason. McGregor is an attention-seeking magnet and his gregarious personality is made all the more polarising because he can back up what he says. He has done thus far, anyway, and much like Ronda Rousey before him, you can't put a price on that kind of unbeatable aura.

Is McGregror the favourite here? Typically speaking, he is. He's the fiercer striker out of two fighters who like to throw left-hand bombs and not only that, he's more calculated and quicker than Diaz. However, this is the first time since the Irishmen's first fight in the UFC that the conqueror of Jose Aldo won't have a height and reach advantage on his opponent. That could spell trouble for McGregor if he tries to end it early like he has suggested he will, as walking onto a Diaz left - as unspectacular as those shots have been throughout his career - that will rock any man.

McGregor has to take Diaz seriously; Diaz certainly has the propensity to hurt him. They're meeting at Welterweight, but McGregor has generally cut his weight to fight at featherweight, so in theory, his power show translate to his new, higher weight. But of course, that remains to be seen. One could argue that White wouldn't arrange a formidable opponent for McGregor as they still want to draw big numbers for the inevitable bout with RDA when that eventually transpires.

Get odds of 3/4 with 888sport for McGregor to win the fight between rounds 1-2 (Treble your odds)

Don't Doubt Diaz

The fighter out of Stockton, California did lose to RDA in 2014 via a unanimous decision, but Diaz is also a six-time Fight of the Night winner and has been involved in big, lightweight title matches. However, he's also lost three of his last five outings and he's not the intimidating prospect that Aldo...well, Aldo should have represented and RDA.

What does Diaz have in his arsenal? He's a southpaw who likes to jab his way into the action before unleashing his left. His kicks are one of his best assets and that form of attack made the openings he needed to utilise his strong submission game in victories over Jim Miller and Takanori Gomi. He likes the tried and trusted armbar as well as the UFC favourite guillotine choke, but his takedown game to enable these moves are his bread and butter.

That's where this could all fall apart for Diaz. McGregor's takedown defence is exceptional to say the least, and bar his outing against Chad Mendes where he was dealing with an ACL injury, the Irishmen is not one to be taken down easy. Can Diaz shock the world like Holm did Rousey? It's the same kind of match-up in many senses, and if McGregor takes the over-confident, gung-ho approach that Rousey did, he'll get the same, brand destroying results.

Get odds of 4/1 with Betfred for a Diaz win (£30 free bet)

FREEbets.org.uk Prediction

Like nearly any UFC fight, Diaz could beat McGregor if the featherweight champ gets his tactics wrong or takes this fight for granted, but given the Dubliner's laser like focus and intensity, I would estimate that as highly doubtful. I'm willing to bet on a McGregor knock out after they inevitably trade blows and if Diaz makes the third round, he's had a successful night.

McGregor isn't all bark and no bite. He might be a walking propaganda machine, but he's also one of the most dangerous fighters in the world. It's almost certain he'll prove as much again in the early hours of Sunday morning en route to setting up a future date with RDA.

Get odds of 2/9 with Paddy Power for a McGregor win (£30 free bet)