UFC 196 Connor McGregor vs Nate Diaz: Pair make weight to set up their massive clash

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz stood toe-to-toe for the last time Friday evening before their big fight at UFC 196. Both fighters weighed within the 170lbs welterweight limit, McGregor clocking in at 168lbs and Diaz at 169lbs.

Both fighters hit the scales in front of a lively crowd gathered inside the MGM Grand as the thousands in attendance gave both fighters very different reactions.

Diaz was up first and the American was greeted with loud boos as he stepped up on the stage and lapped up the negative reaction from the mostly pro-Irish crowd. McGregor followed just seconds after and he entered the arena to an astonishing reaction of cheers and chants as he himself stepped onto the scales.

After both fighters were weighed in it was time for the final staredown. Unlike on Thursday, the two were kept at a safe distance from one another and the UFC took extra precautions to make sure all passed smoothly as Dana White was flanked by Joe Rogan, Lorenzo Fertitta and a heavy security team in the background, just in case.

Whilst the staredown didn't result in a physical confrontation it was still every bit as intense as Diaz directed his signature middle fingers at McGregor whilst the Irishman was pulled away before anything could go down.

Before the two could leave the stage, Joe Rogan had one final word with both fighters. Speaking first, Diaz said: “I’m here to kill or be killed. F*** this little b****.”

McGregor responded: “It’s another day for me: one pulls out and one comes in. I’m used to it. I was just giggling at his little soft body. How can a fat guy be so skinny at the same time? It amuses me.

“I’m looking forward to going in there and put the martial arts back into the game. Weight should never be an issue. Champions should be able to go up and down and fight any challenge that comes before them.

"I’m looking forward to going in tomorrow night fresh and to put on a show for the fans. I always step up for the fans.”

He then treated the fans to a brief moment of shadow boxing and one of his trademark spinning kicks and with that, the fight was set, and the two will meet tomorrow in the main event at the MGM Grand.

Prior to McGregor and Diaz taking the stage, both the co-main event stars Miesha Tate and Holly Holm also weighed in below the bantamweight limit to set up their title fight tomorrow.

Speaking to Joe Rogan afterwards, Tate said: “Thank you all for being here. Women’s MMA rocks, thank you so much. It’s because of you guys, seriously. It’s because of you guys I stand here right now so thank you.”

The champion Holly Holm then had her final say before her first title defense and said: “It’s a whole new training camp, whole new nerves, whole new fight, whole new work in progress. November’s fight was back in November, now I gotta be ready for March 5th so I’m ready.”

All fighters on the card successfully made weight at the first time of asking.

The full weigh-in results are as follows:

UFC 196 Main Card

Conor McGregor (168) vs Nate Diaz (169)

Holly Holm (134.5) vs Miesha Tate (135) – Women’s bantamweight title

Gian Villante (205) vs Ilir Latifi (205)

Corey Anderson (204) vs Tom Lawlor (204.5)

Amanda Nunes (136) vs Valentina Shevchenko (134)

UFC 196 FOX Sports Preliminary Card

Brandon Thatch (170) vs Siyar Bahadurzada (170)

Erick Silva (170) vs Nordine Taleb (170)

Vitor Miranda (185.5) vs Marcelo Guimaraes (185.5)

Darren Elkins (145.5) vs Chas Skelly (145.5)

UFC 196 UFC Fight Pass Preliminary Card

Diego Sanchez (156) vs Jim Miller (155.5)

Jason Saggo (155.5) vs Justin Salas (156)

Juilian Erosa (144.5) vs Teruto Ishihara (146)