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Conor McGregor discusses choice to fight Nate Diaz

Conor McGregor discussed the process of selecting a fight with Nate Diaz at UFC 196.
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Conor McGregor met with the media ahead of his welterweight fight with Nate Diaz at UFC 196 on March 5 and discussed the process of selecting Diaz as an opponent.

Rafael dos Anjos was initially slated to fight McGregor before withdrawing due to a broken foot Tuesday. UFC President Dana White announced that Frankie Edgar and Jose Aldo turned down the short notice fight.

“Nate for me was the leading option,” McGregor said. There were many options but in reality many people pretended like they wanted to fight until the fight actually presented itself.”

McGregor (19–2) will make his UFC debut at 170 pounds after regularly competing at 145 pounds.

McGregor has knocked out his opponents in five consecutive fights. His last bout lasted just 13 seconds, as he KO’d Jose Aldo to claim the featherweight title.

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Diaz is a former lightweight title contender after fighting Benson Henderson in Dec. 2012 before losing by unanimous decision. In Wednesday's press conference, Diaz accused McGregor of using steroids.

McGregor is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated for the first time this week.