Conor McGregor says Nate Diaz trilogy ‘will happen’ and congratulates ‘bonafide superstar’ UFC rival on final fight
CONOR MCGREGOR says a trilogy-deciding fight with old rival Nate Diaz "WILL HAPPEN" despite the "bonafide superstar" having just one fight left on his UFC contract.
Diaz, 37, may step inside a UFC octagon for the final time on Saturday with his contract coming to an end.
The American brawler was due to face up-and-coming hotshot, Khamzat Chimaev, 28, but the Swede missed weight by seven-and-a-half pounds.
Chimaev jokingly brushed off coming in heavy and the UFC have picked Tony Ferguson as his replacement.
Ahead of Saturday's UFC 279, Diaz said a trilogy fight would happen with old rival McGregor.
And his insistence on facing McGregor again has been backed up by the Irishman himself.
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McGregor, 34, sent a tweet to his former fierce rival Diaz, firstly congratulating him on reaching the end of his UFC contract, before declaring a trilogy "will happen".
He said: "Congrats Nate Diaz on making it to the end of his contractual obligations with the UFC, and as a bonafide superstar goer.
"An incredible feat. Fair play.
"Our trilogy will happen."
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McGregor also weighed in on Chimaev's weight drama.
He says Chimaev should have been pulled from the card altogether instead of being handed a new opponent.
Chimaev will now face Kevin Holland in the co-main event.
But McGregor fears smirking Chimaev's actions will see other fighters follow suit - with some claiming he deliberately missed weight.
McGregor added: "My opinion they should have pulled Khamzat from the card entirely.
"Reconfiguring bouts, and with a more favourable bout for the failed cutter, will only make many others in the game follow suit.
"The smirks on the scale where enough for me. Pull from the card and starve. McG UFC."