Surprise, surprise, motherf*cker.

A lot, it turns out, was on the line for Conor McGregor ahead of his UFC 202 rematch with Nate Diaz in August 2016. First, of course, came the notion of revenge for the first defeat of his UFC career several months prior when Stockton’s Diaz forced a tap from McGregor in their hastily-arranged bout in the opening months of the year.

A second defeat in succession for the Irishman, one assumes at least, would have made the prospect of his lightweight title win against Eddie Alvarez unlikely at best. And what, then, of 2017’s blockbuster boxing match with Floyd Mayweather?

In their second fight, McGregor started strongly, dropping his foe to the canvas on multiple occasions with series’ of sniping shots. Diaz, as is his wont, rallied late on before McGregor came on strong again in the fifth to secure what still remains as one of his most impressive wins.

With their scores now tied at one win apiece, it remains to be seen if fight fans will be given a third chapter to this legendary rivalry — but if their second fight is the last time that the McGregor and Diaz throw down on the cage, no one can deny that it was a classic bout.

Check it out in full below:

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