Conor McGregor recorded the heaviest pre-fight weight of his career on Friday, tipping the scales at 168lbs before his main event showdown with Nate Diaz at UFC 196.
And after a week of trash-talking, the pair had to be separated by UFC president Dana White as they faced off.
McGregor naturally looked significantly larger than ahead of his last contest, a dramatic 13-second knockout victory over former pound-for-pound king Jose Aldo in December.
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Back then, the Irishman weighed it at 145lbs, the featherweight limit. For UFC 196, he was scheduled to move up to 155lbs to try to take away Rafael dos Anjos’ lightweight belt. However, when dos Anjos pulled out through injury, Diaz stepped in at 11 days’ notice. The weight was then stipulated at a 170lb maximum. Diaz, normally a lightweight, weighed in at 169lbs.
UFC welterweight Conor McGregor shadow boxes for the fans. Photo: AP
“The weight should never be an issue for a champion,” McGregor said, patting his stomach to indicate he had been able to eat regular meals in the build up to the contest, instead of being forced into his typical agonising weight drain.
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Meanwhile, Holly Holm, the women’s bantamweight champion, will defend her belt for the first time after defeating Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia, in November.
UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm flexes. Photo: AP
