Nate Diaz offers insight into potential Floyd vs. Conor bout…
Nate Diaz and Gilbert Melendez appeared on CSN Fights yesterday. Amongst other topics, host Andre Ward asked the Cesar-Gracie fighters what they thought about a potential Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather bout.
Having fought 6.5 rounds with Conor, Nate is uniquely qualified to talk about his striking.
Nate Diaz Boxing Licence/ UFC “Not Having It”
Diaz stated on the show that the UFC was “not having it” in regards to him getting his boxing licence. Nate has stated in the past that he is open to going into boxing, but it doesn’t sound like his UFC contract is going to allow him to do.
While attending a Bellator event in January, Nate indicated to reporters that boxing may be in his future.
“I know what this is: I’m being put on the shelf,” Nate said, referring to the UFC’s treatment of him.
“That’s why I’m trying to get a boxing license,”
Dana responded that Nate had told him he was only going to fight Conor. The UFC has since offered Nate a bout with Eddie Alvarez, but Diaz reportedly turned the bout down.
Judging by the sounds of it, the UFC isn’t going to allow Nate to go into boxing, and he could be waiting along time for a trilogy bout with Conor.
Nate Diaz on Conor vs. Floyd
“I think McGregor’s got a good chance of making something happen in 2 or 3 rounds.”
Talk turned to Nate and Gilbert’s opinions on who would win in a boxing bout between Conor and Floyd. While Nate admitted he feels the whole thing is a publicity stunt, he responded that he felt Conor would have a real shot at hurting Floyd inside 3 rounds. If the fight went longer however, Conor’s striking would be too amateur in comparison to Floyd’s for him to be competitive.
“I’m just saying he’s got a puncher’s chance, if anything.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PUb23Rq0JM
Gilbert answered Ward’s question regarding how Floyd would do in an MMA bout with Conor. In this case the answer was reversed.
“Same thing. Floyd has a great puncher’s chance.”
“It’s just different in the cage. James Toney fought Randy Couture once, he stepped into the octagon and it didn’t go too well.”
