As the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) begins to establish a stronghold in New York City, let’s rewind back to UFC 202.
This was arguably the most important event the UFC has ever held thus far in promoting the sport, which featured the rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor.
McGregor is seeking to be the first fighter to claim the deuce in the UFC – i.e. two title belts simultaneously.
Ever since Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty commissioned the Colosseum around Anno Domini (AD) 70-72, combat has been synonymous with entertainment. In AD 80, Vespasian’s son Titus, opened the Flavian Amphitheatre with 100 days of games; involving brutal gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights.
But enter the Octagon, exclusive not just to the Romans. UFC programming is accessible to over 145 countries – showcasing audacious forms of unarmed combat which was never truly publicly displayed previously.
And you meet Stockton’s own Diaz and Ireland’s pride of honour McGregor in the centre of the Octagon. Headlining UFC 202. Both fighters are feeling the warmth of their supporters but also the immense pressure. They do not touch gloves, these two are every inch of the word competitor – respect is earned only through battle.
The fight begins: McGregor immediately takes control of the Octagon and soon drops Diaz with his lethal left hand.
Proceeding in a similar fashion throughout, until the closing stages of the second round. McGregor’s tiring from his exhausting power; a talent both extraordinary and vulnerable.
Diaz senses this – pressuring McGregor up against the cage like a man possessed with an evil motive. As the fight transitions to Round 3, Diaz continues to assert his dominance; landing 48 more strikes than his fatigued opponent.
McGregor ambles his way back to his corner; wheezing as if he just caught the whooping cough. The creases on his face begin to extend.
McGregor’s wise head coach John Kavanagh reiterates to his student – he has been training for a war. The grind was to be expected; McGregor acknowledges this but he is drowning.
Despite time to momentarily recuperate and halt the blood flow – Diaz’s face is leaking blood, as easily as tap water runs down the drain without obstruction. The fourth round commences, when they engage in the clinch, Diaz is tactically wiping his bloody eyes on McGregor’s shoulders.
McGregor looks like he is suffocating in the Octagon, but he is tolerating the pain. Hurting Diaz and in turn, greatly tensing his already exerted respiratory system.
When Diaz is gaining momentum, McGregor astutely jogs away, oxidising the lactate in his legs and staying out of harm’s way.
Gilbert Melendez, UFC fighter, trusted friend and cornerman of Diaz, states to him bluntly: “Diaz, you have to win this round.” Diaz fails to acknowledge this verbally or physically – he looks like he is finally showing the effects of a damaged workhorse.
And yet judging by his actions in the fifth round, Diaz appears renewed albeit for the swollen bruises around his face. A triathlete outside of the Octagon, Diaz highlights his outstanding aerobic endurance. Eventually taking McGregor to the ground in the fifth and final round; pummelling him until the bell rings.
And what is left despite the 25 minutes of violence and shared bloodshed? The warmth and embrace of each other.
The UFC is the epitome of battle and New York City is in for a treat on November 12th.
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