McGregor on Diaz: His jiu-jitsu is overrated

LOS ANGELES – UFC TONIGHT hosts Daniel Cormier and Kenny Florian break down the upcoming UFC 196 and catch up with Conor McGregor, Holly Holm and Miesha Tate.

UFC TONIGHT host Daniel Cormier on what Nate Diaz needs to do against Conor McGregor: “He’s got to be Nate Diaz. He says he can always go five rounds. He needs to set a high pace. That’s how he’s successful. He’s long, rangy and has great boxing, something Conor hasn’t faced before. He’s got to apply constant pressure, use his boxing and range, and look for submissions. He’s won the grappling exchanges in big fights before.”

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on if Diaz has an advantage: “The Diaz brothers are always training and in shape. Nate’s got a longer reach than Conor and Conor hasn’t faced someone like that before. Nate’s a big lightweight. He’s got a bigger frame and an excellent chin. He’s got the advantage on the ground.”

Cormier on how McGregor needs to fight Diaz: “Conor has to be smart and be a sniper. Conor is usually the one talking in a fight, but Conor won’t get in Nate’s head. We’ll see how he handles someone talking to him in the Octagon instead.”

Florian on McGregor’s advantages: “Conor will have speed advantage. Nate not known for his kicking game, but Conor is. With Nate’s southpaw stance and his front leg out there, Conor will kick out that lead leg and he’ll also use spinning attacks. He has to get inside, vary his attacks and defend the takedown. He doesn’t want to be on the ground with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt like Nate.”

Cormier on how Miesha Tate beats Holly Holm: “She has to be confident in her striking and set up shots against her. The problem with Ronda, she had to get close to Holly. Miesha has the ability to shoot a double leg. She needs to rely on her champion experience to carry over the hump.”

Cormier on Holm’s keys to winning: “Holly maintains distance and be light on her feet. She needs to move, and can’t be stationary target. She needs to let her hands go and that sets up the great high kick after her striking. She has to be a sniper. It’s a close fight, but I think Holly will get it done.”

VIDEO: Strikezone and Predictions: Cormier and Florian break down McGregor vs. Diaz and Holm vs. Tate

https://youtu.be/ymUNUJMwFlo

Conor McGregor on being the smaller fighter: “I look forward to it. It’s another question for the fans – how to handle the range, size and weight difference? I enjoy answering these questions. I’m the featherweight champion. I could still fight these guys who are identical but I seek challenges. I rise up, I went to get the lightweight belt, but it went running from me. So I went up again and will answer more questions for the fans.”

McGregor on Nate Diaz: “His jiu-jitsu is overrated. I see opportunities to pass his guard. I’ll bang it out and I’ll keep it on the feet. When he goes down, he rolls out to get out, I’ll pass his guard, mount him, pound him out or look for the choke.”

VIDEO: Interview: McGregor discusses Nate Diaz and his intense weight cuts

https://youtu.be/8XogjQ5PwZQ

VIDEO: Interview: McGregor shows off his car collection

https://youtu.be/OOf-TaUChIw

Nate Diaz on McGregor: “He’s great. Calling out everyone. A lot of the things he’s said are things I’ve already said. He’s doing a good job. If I’m a fight fan, that’s what I want to see and it’s a good thing. Everybody is a wrestler now and that’s not entertaining. Then a martial artist comes and takes you out.”

Diaz on McGregor fighting at 170: “It’s martial arts. You should be ready to fight anyone at any time. I’ll fight everyone. I think Conor will do great – hopefully not against me. I’ve went up a weight class before and felt great.”

VIDEO: Nate Diaz praises Conor McGregor before their fight

https://youtu.be/tibKA48Dv6o

Holly Holm on how fighting Miesha Tate is different from Ronda Rousey: “Miesha is a little more unpredictable. You don’t know what she’s going for. She’s really good and scrappy. I need to be ready for whatever situation we’re in.”

Holm on how she can top her performance against Rousey: “I don’t want my career to be defined by one fight. I want to show more things. I’m here to fight. Every fight is different. That fight with Ronda was the high in my career, but I don’t want to stop there. Every fight makes a different style. I don’t want to compare the two.”

VIDEO: Holly Holm interviewed in car leaving In-N-Out Burger

https://youtu.be/ZW3TZCHg_9s

Miesha Tate on what Holm does well in a fight: “She likes to have a very clean fight and keep people at the perfect range. Her chin could be suspect. In some fights when people connected – Ronda connected, Raquel Pennington connected – she can be knocked down.”

Tate on how she’ll take down Holm when Ronda couldn’t: “It’s different styles. With Judo, have to be hip to hip. All of Ronda’s attacks were to the head. She reached out and zombied into her. She has a completely different way to close distance than I do. I have a lot going for me in this fight.”

Tate on fighting someone she’s friendly with: “I don’t want to fight people I hate. I want to fight people who are best in the world. I love everything about this fight. I love my energy, love my feeling right now. A title shot doesn’t come around every day and I can’t take it for granted. I’m ready for it.”

VIDEO: Interview: Miesha Tate explains the flaws in Holly Holm’s game

https://youtu.be/lkKwOzn0loM

UFC TONIGHT Insider Ariel Helwani on Chael Sonnen’s suspension and possible comeback: “His suspension is over on July 23 of this year. His manager says he firmly believes that Chael would jump at the chance to fight again.”

Helwani on Cain Velasquez’s return: “His back surgery did well and he wants to return again before July.”

DC on Velasquez: “He’ll be back in two weeks training to help me prepare for Jon Jones.”

For notes, coverage, bios, photography and more, visit the FOX UFC page on FOX Sports Press Pass.

UFC TONIGHT

UFC TONIGHT is the official weekly news and information show of the Ultimate Fighting Championship on FS1. Veteran UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian, light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant and six-time World MMA Awards Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani bring you all the news and analysis.