Confusion surrounds who wants Diaz and McGregor rematch at Welterweight

Since Ariel Helwani broke the news that Conor McGregor and Nathan Diaz would be fighting at welterweight to top the UFC 200 card the MMA community has been somewhat puzzled as to why a career lightweight and the featherweight champion were going at it as 170 pounders.

Over the last few days that puzzlement has been escalated even further with different stories coming from all different sides.

Today, on Twitter, McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh wrote that the UFC insisted on having the fight at welterweight after he had initially hoped to have the bout at lightweight

@davehighton83 initially thought 155 would suit both guys better. UFC insisted on 170. we agreed. not that much of a biggie.

— Coach JK (@John_Kavanagh) March 31, 2016

Last night, though, UFC president Dana White appeared on ESPN and said it was actually McGregor himself who wanted the fight at welterweight.

“Lorenzo and I tried to argue with him [McGregor] and said; “Lets go back down to 145 and defend your title” or, if you really want the Diaz fight that bad – do it at 155 lbs.” White said.

“He wants the fight at 170.”

“Even his coach, Coach Kavanagh, tried to get him off this rematch and off of a 170 lbs fight but it’s the fight he wanted.”

While former UFC contender Kenny Florian, speaking on this week’s fighter and the kid podcast, maintains McGregor’s pride, having lost to Diaz already at welterweight, and future match-ups are the reasons why he wants to run it back at the same weight.

“Nate really wants this fight at 155 and Conor, I think, I don’t know if it’s his pride getting through or if he does want a big fight against a GSP or a Robbie Lawler – he keeps talking about those guys.”

“He wants this fight at 170.”

Whatever the case is, I’m sure there will be plenty of press-conferences and plenty of opportunities to ask between now and July 9th.