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Published 17:08 28 Sept 2017 BST
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This time around, McGregor has made it clear that he wants the third to be at 155 lbs, meaning Diaz will skip the most populated queue in the UFC to earn a title shot. Some people may take issue with a fighter who is so inactive receiving a crack at the title, but it's hardly the worst match-making we've ever seen and we'll probably see even worse again.
Diaz is currently ranked sixth and has a captivating rivalry with McGregor. It's not really comparable to a retiring Dan Henderson ranked outside the top 10 fighting Michael Bisping for the middleweight strap or eighth-ranked Chris Cariaso fighting flyweight king Demetrious Johnson at UFC 178.
However, if McGregor vs Diaz III is for the lightweight championship, everyone has to accept the outcome of the fight closing this chapter for time being. No matter how lucrative or appealing it may be, doing the fourth fight straight away would be a serious misstep, even if Diaz manages to usurp the throne.
Undoubtedly, the biggest superstar the sport has ever seen would aggressively push for another crack at Diaz if he lost to him again, but if they grant him that wish, rationalising that move to the hungry pack of 155 lbers would be tricky.
If the negotiations go to plan and this red panty night gets booked as a title fight, the victor must surely accept that they only have two options next - a unification bout next against the interim champion or relinquishing the belt to pursue another opportunity.
McGregor doesn't need to put his belt on the line to sell this fight, Diaz doesn't need to fight for the belt to make another staggering payday and this will still likely be the biggest fight in UFC history even if was a catchweight 160 lb fight with no title implications.
With so many monsters at lightweight in the top 20, this division doesn't deserve to be held up any longer. These warriors need something to fight for. Those 12 pounds of gold have to be a viable goal.
As Daniel Cormier said, it's so much more financially beneficial being a UFC champion, so why deny elite contenders that opportunity to allow fighters who don't really need it compete for champion status?
But anyway, we'll cross that bridge if we ever come to it. It's just something worth keeping in mind when title fights such as these get booked.Football

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