Conor McGregor releases statement after UFC 196 loss

Ironically, McGregor famously said that when people strike with him, they become panicked wrestlers yet that's exactly what McGregor did when he shot for a takedown after Diaz landed combinations on him.

The oddsmakers barely gave Nate Diaz a shot against Conor McGregor on Saturday night but he came out on top with a second round rear naked choke victory. McGregor was honest in his assessment, didn't offer excuses, point out that he'll fight anyone anytime, and still found time to promise to shut up Jose Aldo again. Certainly Nate Diaz is not someone you need to scuff off.

Aldo, who had lost his featherweight title to McGregor at UFC 194 in a stunning, 13-second knockout, was reportedly approached to fill in for dos Anjos and declined.

However, the featherweight champions' hopes of becoming the first man in UFC history to hold two belts simultaneously were dashed 11 days before the contest as Dos Anjos broke his foot in training.

"I think he doesn't deserve a fight for the 155lb (belt)", he told The MMA Hour.

McGregor entered the contest weighing 168-lbs and after enjoying a successful first round with strikes and a stomp kick to Diaz's knee, got worn out quickly and was unable to break the more experienced American in his 22nd UFC fight.

Being the shorter man and accustomed to dropping all the way down to 145 pounds for his fights, McGregor used his trademark speed and precision, landing significant strikes nearly at will upon the helpless Diaz.

"Champions take lumps all the time", said James on Monday. McGregor continued. "That's the sign of a loser". "I think it's a loser's mentality to get happy with somebody losing". That's the sign of a runner-up. "That's not the sign of a champion", McGregor said. Before the fight, McGregor fueled talk of facing Lawler for the title after a possible win over Diaz at welterweight in the main event.

But it will take much, much more than one unusual loss before McGregor finds himself at a loss for words.