Conor McGregor’s welterweight debut should end like most of his featherweight fights have — in a resounding victory.
The reigning featherweight champion will move up in weight for Saturday’s welterweight bout against Nate Diaz at UFC 196 in Las Vegas, and anything less than a KO for McGregor would be a surprise.
McGregor never has lost in the UFC, and he has won his last two title defenses, including a stunning 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo that required a single powerful punch.
It probably will take more than that to knock out Diaz, but it shouldn’t take too long. McGregor’s agility and his ability to rattle off devastating combos in such a quick fashion should overwhelm Diaz. McGregor also has a better strike percentage than Diaz (45 percent to 43 percent), as well as a much better grappling percentage (83 percent to 31 percent).
Diaz has lost three of his last five bouts, and he has fought only once since Dec. 13, 2014. McGregor has fought three times in that span, so rust won’t be an issue for the Irishman.
McGregor also has a slight aura of invincibility around him. He has been so dominant in the UFC, and after destroying Aldo so quickly, McGregor’s confidence is at an all-time high. He should come out on the attack, and how Diaz weathers the early storm will determine how long he stays in the fight.
Seventeen of McGregor’s 19 career wins have been settled via knockout. Expect a similar outcome in fight No. 20.
Thumbnail photo via Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports Images
