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Conor McGregor has backed his old rival Nate Diaz to beat Jorge Masvidal in this weekend’s welterweight clash – and wants to set up a trilogy fight between the pair.
McGregor has not fought since losing his lightweight title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018 but has made clear his plans to return to the sport in 2020.
He has twice fought Diaz: losing their first contest in March 2016 before gaining revenge in a five-round classic a few months later.
“I think Diaz beats him,” McGregor told MMA Fighting .
“He’s got crisper boxing, way more experience. I think Masvidal’s had a good run, he’s had a two fight win streak.
Show all 13 1 /13Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Conor McGregor's most controversial moments The Irish superstar is no stranger to controversy. Here are twelve occasions in which he generated headlines for all the wrong reasons.
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments 'F*** the Queen' McGregor came in for criticism from some quarters for wearing a poppy at a UFC event back in 2015. “I know where my allegiance lies and what I do for my country,” was his firebrand response. “You have a pint in your hand and a Celtic jersey on in your local. F*** you and the Queen.”
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Nazi row One of the first serious controversies in McGregor’s career. “Kiss them feet, Nazi,” he tweeted German fighter Dennis Siver. His apology also came in for criticism: “Ich bin bin sowwy. Now about them feet…” he wrote.
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Insulting Aldo “I own this town, I own Rio de Janeiro,” McGregor told Brazilian fighter Jose Aldo, in a series of heavily criticised comments. “In previous times I would invade his favela on horseback and would kill anyone who wasn’t fit to work, but we’re in a new time, so I’ll whoop his ass instead.”
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments UFC 200 no show McGregor decided he did not have the time to fulfil his press duties ahead of UFC 200, and his scheduled rematch with Nate Diaz. UFC president Dana White was unimpressed with his no-show at a press conference and decided to pull him from the card. McGregor and Diaz would eventually meet at UFC 202, with the Irishman taking a points decision.
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Bottles ahoy McGregor has been in trouble for throwing things before. Ahead of UFC 202 he became involved in a heated altercation with the Diaz brothers, which culminated in him hurling full cans of energy drink across a press conference. He was subsequently fined $25k by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and handed 25-hours community service.
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Racism allegations There were a number of controversial moments during the Mayweather vs McGregor world press tour, with the UFC champion accused of racism on more than one ocassion. He attracted criticism for telling Mayweather to “dance for me, boy!” before later reasoning he was not a racist because “I’m black from the bellybutton down.”
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Showtime spat Showtime Spots executive Stephen Espinoza was less than impressed when McGregor turned his ire to him during the Mayweather vs McGregor world tour. “While we’re at it, f*ck Showtime too,” McGregor shouted at Espinoza in Toronto. “Look at you, you little f*cking weasel, I can see it in your eyes, you’re a f*cking bitch. Cut my mic off? Cut the champ’s mic off? Hell no. You f*cking weasel.”
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Bellator brawl After his team-mate Charlie Ward defeated John Redmond at a Bellator event in Dublin, McGregor vaulted into the cage and began arguing with respected referee Marc Goddard. McGregor pushed Goddard and threatened an official, before eventually apologising. “I’ve always learned from my mistakes, and this will be no different,” he said.
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Homophobia allegations The Irishman was heavily criticised when television cameras overheard him referring to Andre Fili as a “f****” after the American beat his training partner Artem Lobov at UFC Gdansk. “I’m human; I slip up, I say stupid things every damn day,” McGregor later apologised. “All I can (do) is hold my hand up and apologise if anyone was offended.”
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Darkest day A warrant for McGregor’s arrest was issued after the Irishman was caught on video smashing the window of a bus full of fighters with a sack trolley. Two fighters were injured in the incident, with McGregor eventually handing himself in to the police. He was eventually sentenced to three days of anger management courses and five days community service.
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments UFC ban He was banned from the UFC for six months and fined $50k for brawling with the camp of Khabib after his world title loss.
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Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Latest shame On Monday, McGregor was arrested in Miami Beach for allegedly destroying and stealing the mobile phone of a man who was attempting to take his photograph.
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“The game is very forgetful I believe, our sport is, I think Diaz has enough in him to do it.
“I think he’s in a better space. You’ve got to factor that in, what kind of space is the fighter in because everyone’s the best on their day. I think Diaz beats him.”
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