Morning Report: Nate Diaz supports Conor McGregor UFC 303 withdrawal: ‘Inexperienced people out there talking sh*t
Nate Diaz is on Conor McGregor’s side regarding the UFC 303 debacle.
Two of the UFC’s biggest all-time superstars have put their differences aside since they last fought at UFC 202 in August 2016. There have been minor verbal jabs thrown between the two throughout the following eight years but Diaz doesn't find McGregor’s first career bout withdrawal as the time for one.
UFC 303 was supposed to feature the long-awaited return of “The Notorious” against Michael Chandler inside the T-Mobile Arena this Saturday night. That was until McGregor suffered a broken pinky toe, claiming he doesn’t want to go into a fight less than 100 percent. Diaz, 39, believes the community’s critical reaction to the decision has been overblown.
“I think it was just a minor thing,” Diaz told MMA Junkie. “I think they made a bigger deal out of it than it is. Good idea. If I get f*cked up, I would like to push the fight back too, but people f*cking freak out. I think I wouldn’t want to fight until I’m 100 percent ready to rock too, because in the past I’ve done all kinds of sh*t I shouldn’t have done.
“So, I think he learned from experience and all these inexperienced people out there talking sh*t, just speaking for their inexperience. They’re going to have to deal with the criticism until the fight gets done, but I think it’ll happen and it’ll all be good.”
Before McGregor steps back into the octagon, Diaz continues his boxing career when he takes on Jorge Masvidal in a boxing rematch next weekend. Diaz lost their first encounter in MMA at UFC 244 in November 2019 when Masvidal scored a third-round doctor’s stoppage TKO. He made his professional debut when he lost a unanimous decision to Jake Paul last August.
Despite no longer being a part of the UFC roster, Diaz ended his run with the promotion on a good note and has expressed his interest in fighting there again. Ultimately, a McGregor trilogy to settle their 1-1 score is something he isn’t ruling out of the question.
“Yeah, we’ll see what happens with time, you know?” Diaz said. “It depends on what happens with my fight, his fight, UFC. I ain’t a fortune teller, you know what I’m saying? We’ll see what happens.”
TOP STORIES
Weak. Matt Brown: Conor McGregor still deserves criticism even if broken toe is legit reason not to fight
Bullying. Arman Tsarukyan suspended 9 months, fined $25,000 for altercation with fan at UFC 300
Boxing. Oleksandr Usyk vacates IBF heavyweight title, tells Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois it’s a ‘present’ for them
Crossover. Dan Hardy reveals potential opponent to get Jake Paul interested in MMA again with Nate Diaz no longer an option
Comeback. Invicta FC founder Shannon Knapp scoffs at rumors promotion was allegedly going out of business
Crazy. Manager: Robert Whittaker underwent emergency surgery before UFC Saudi Arabia, UFC 305 status unclear
Fair. Ex-UFC fighter Igor Severino suspended 9 months after biting his opponent
Recap. The Ultimate Fighter 32: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko Episode 4 results
Tease. Brian Ortega planning lightweight move after UFC 303
Officials. Referee, judges assigned for Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2 at UFC 303
Broadcast. Dustin Poirier joins analyst team for UFC 303
LET’S WATCH
Sound & Pound.
Embedded 2.
PFL Fight Week.
Burns breakdown.
Farewell, gentlemen.
LISTEN UP
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses if Jon Jones is in play for Alex Pereira with UFC 303 win.
MORNING MUSIC
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or find one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re currently really into. I’ll pick the best one alongside my daily choice and give you a shoutout! You can also share in the comments below — those are just harder to sift through sometimes!
SOCIAL SCROLL DOWN
Zzzz.
pic.twitter.com/YPX33ab4qc
— Volkan Oezdemir (@volkan_oezdemir) June 25, 2024
Call me if you have trouble sleeping #NoTime
GSP things.
I will always remember the day we attempted to complete the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. ……. pic.twitter.com/y6rgotLZtj
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) June 25, 2024
Strickland in Japan is the nightmare you’d expect.
Anpo VS Strickland Full Sparring.
— ICHI (@WoradonBK) June 25, 2024
Anpo went in there wanting a real fight. Anpo wanted 3 rounds, Sean countered with 10 and got negotiated down to 7
Anpo was tired after the 1st and they ended up with 5 after Anpo was exhausted.
Translator told Strickland “too much” many times pic.twitter.com/lK3aTy7cm8
PPV SPARRING
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) June 25, 2024
Former K-1 champion Rukiya Anpo's intense boxing sparring session against 40-pound-heavier Sean Strickland. This took place during the former UFC champion's visit to Tokyo last week. pic.twitter.com/tTPmmMMZ2G
Art.
Choose your fighter:
— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) June 24, 2024
Pereira ⚔️ Prochazka ❄️#UFC303 pic.twitter.com/zluNWrxyY4
Our #UFC303 Artist Series just dropped!
— UFC (@ufc) June 25, 2024
: @BartlettStudio pic.twitter.com/kLWuxrpDgD
The takeover continues.
This guy Craig Jones is on fire.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 25, 2024
A week ago, Mikey told us he couldn’t be a part of CJI and now … pic.twitter.com/lg9d9xEoWV
Diamond.
Been toe 2 toe with the best of em
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 25, 2024
Grateful for the journey. pic.twitter.com/eWsX7ENz39
That wasn't a retirement tweet. Im just grateful for the journey, but I'm still unsure about what's next https://t.co/BieFb5BF7g
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 26, 2024
Rowdy author.
Announcing EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED by WWE & UFC Champion @RondaRousey & @MikeDeodato. The graphic novel launching @Kickstarter in July sets a new bar for fight scene authenticity as it follows a newly pregnant mom with a bounty on her head fighting waves of assassins. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/vHmtw8Ubcf
— AWA Studios (@AWA_Studios) June 25, 2024
GOAT.
今日は格闘技の師匠、藤井惠さんとランチへ
— 小波(KONAMI) (@k_o_n_a_m_i_) June 25, 2024
先日のブラッドスポーツの試合を生配信で観てくれてたみたいで反省を聞きました
最後めぐさんの必殺技のアンクルで勝ちたかったけど、上手く決まらなくて色々とアドバイスを頂きました。… pic.twitter.com/PsUvoePfMg
Right.
The Rock slap fights a mythical creature in his new movie pic.twitter.com/xD8nfYCIv6
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) June 25, 2024
Math.
I keep getting asked to fight whittaker. I beat Izzy, the world knows I beat dricus.
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) June 25, 2024
Whittaker lost to both.
I am the number 1 contender, I defended that spot easily against Costa.
I will wait.....
Champ.
Alexa Grasso spoke on her rivalry with Valentina Shevchenko #TUF32 pic.twitter.com/aUZbtaWWHJ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 26, 2024
Callout.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rose Namajunas (12-6) vs. Tracy Cortez (11-1); UFC Denver, July 13
Dan Ige (18-7) vs. Chepe Mariscal (16-6-1); UFC Vegas 94, July 20
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whatever it takes to get that trilogy, right?
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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