McGregor v Diaz: Top five rivalries in UFC history

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  • Intense rivalry: Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor.

    Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz lock horns again this weekend with the Irishman determined to avenge his March defeat—and the animosity has been rising.

    The pair’s status and mutual dislike means the bout has attracted interest like few others.

    Ahead of the encounter, Sport360 looks at five of the biggest rivalries in UFC history.

    Daniel Cormier v Jon Jones

    Three times their rematch has been scrapped and it’s only worked to stoke the hatred between these two warring light-heavyweights. Jones questioned the two-time Olympian’s wrestling credentials and it escalated to an out of cage brawl and various verbal battles.

    Chuck Liddell v Tito Ortiz

    One of the best rivalries in UFC history is also one of its most one-sided. Both played their roles to perfection with Ortiz as the villain and Liddell as the fan’s favourite. Despite ‘The Iceman’ claiming two onesided knockout wins, everyone wanted the trilogy but sadly it never came to fruition.

    Ronda Rousey v Miesha Tate

    For women’s MMA, they are both pioneers. Both had big egos and the skills to match. Their rivalry started with Strikeforce and carried through to the UFC but it was during the ‘Ultimate Fighter’ they clashed and Tate was the first woman to go beyond a round with Rousey in their title meeting.

    Anderson Silva v Chael Sonnen

    Few can forget Sonnen’s brilliant call out of Silva. Although he was dominant, Sonnen was submitted by triangle choke in their first meeting. But the loquacious American earned a second shot at the middleweight belt when he said: “Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck,” after beating Brian Stann.

    Brock Lesnar v Frank Mir

    The WWE superstar arrived to much fanfare in the UFC but was handed the unenviable task of taking on submission specialist Mir in his promotional debut. After 90 seconds, Mir wrapped up a knee bar and a rivalry ensued, famously coming to an end at UFC 100.

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