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MMA

18th Mar 2016

Conor McGregor v Nate Diaz II reportedly being targeted for UFC 200

Poor Frankie

Ben Kiely

If you listen closely, you can hear Frankie Edgar actually getting slapped across the face.

It looks like Conor McGregor will be given an immediate chance to avenge his first UFC loss at UFC 200.

The UFC are finalising a non-title welterweight rematch between McGregor and Nate Diaz for the July 9 card, according to MMA Fighting.

This news comes the same month that Diaz defeated McGregor via second-round rear-naked choke in the main event of UFC 196.

That match-up was put together on 11 days notice after McGregor’s original opponent Rafael dos Anjos pulled out after injuring his foot in training. McGregor was scheduled to fight at lightweight but agreed to move up to 170 on short notice to face Diaz.

The fight did big business for the promotion, surpassing one million pay-per-view buys and was the third-highest gate in UFC history.

It also massively improved the popularity of Nate Diaz, who turned from a veteran with a strong fanbase to a superstar by handing McGregor his first UFC loss.

The fight is expected to be officially announced shortly, which should annoy featherweight contenders Frankie Edgar and Jose Aldo who have been campaigning to fight McGregor at the massive event.

UFC are also eyeing up  Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne and Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson for UFC 200.