Conor McGregor may be a massive favorite March 5 at UFC 196 but Richard Perez could be looking to place some bets.

Nate Diaz's longtime boxing coach can certainly appreciate McGregor's standup, but he's not losing sleep over it.

"McGregor is a good striker," Perez told Submission Radio. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's not, but Nathan's better. I mean, when Nathan's on his gameplan he'll make him look silly."

McGregor wasn't exactly complimentary of Diaz's boxing acumen when the pair squared off for a press conference last week in Torrance, California.

"He comes forward but his understanding of ring generalship and ring control is really very amateurish," McGregor said. "It's novice where I come from. So he will understand the difference between the amateur and world champion."

Having spent 15 years training Diaz, Perez doesn't sound worried.

"Well the thing is, [in] the striking department, Nate is a lot better when he's in good shape and not injured or anything," said Perez. "So when it comes to the night of the fight, McGregor's going to be shocked."

McGregor was also critical of Diaz's conditioning, saying his opponent has looked liked "the skinniest fat guy" he'd ever seen. Not to worry, says Perez.

"I just get focused and he gets focused and we just start training. I mean, he's been training anyway. So even though it's a ten-day notice, or two weeks or whatever it is, he's been training. So we just pick it up a little higher in the notch."

Diaz faces McGregor March 5 in the main event at UFC 196 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

The Count. After his UFC Fight Night: London win, Michael Bisping discusses his performance against Anderson Silva, why he avoided Silva's mental games, why he didn't call for a title shot, and more.

'Sometimes it's like in Brazil, total corruption.' Anderson Silva reacts to his controversial loss to Michael Bisping in London.

'I had the same score, but had it the other way.' Dana White has to watch again, but he thought Anderson Silva beat Michael Bisping.

'I'm the show.' Nate Diaz explains how the Conor McGregor fight at UFC 196 came together.

'He's a cheater. F**k him.' Following win in London, Gegard Mousasi accuses Lyoto Machida of greasing and taking steroids during their five-round bout in 2014.

MEDIA STEW

Octagon interviews with Michael Bisping and Anderson Silva.

Dana White recaps UFC Fight Night: London.

A few quick finishes from UFC Fight Night: London.

Nate Diaz talks gameplan, weight, training partners and more.

Pros pick Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz.

Highlights from Lion Fight 28.

Forrest Griffin eats horrible English food.

Long watches.

UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Silva post-fight press conference

...

KNUCKLE UP #326: BISPING v SILVA + a Night Time of Terror: When Judges Rule the Earth.

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TWEETS

Victory lap.

This is me and Anderson exchanging respect while being attended to by the doctors. https://t.co/jaP9wQ1Vgb Posted by Official Michael Bisping on Sunday, February 28, 2016

I want to thank all my fans, family, friends, and management team. Your support is priceless! @ufc @Venumfight pic.twitter.com/ETRg5QaSZM — Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) February 28, 2016

Frustrating fight yesterday against a very experienced veteran in Keita nakamura. I got the win... https://t.co/3MOMLw2vv3 — Tom Breese (@BreeseMMA) February 28, 2016

Was a really emotional night for me but a massive thanks to my corner team behind me and the... https://t.co/nJaacvr51g — Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) February 28, 2016

Thank you all! Thank you UFC! pic.twitter.com/QkcB8xfRt7 — Makwan Amirkhani (@MakwanAmirkhani) February 28, 2016

Thank you everyone for the support! #UFCLondon was unreal! I have put my thanks on Facebook as its too long for Twitter ✌ ️ — scott askham (@scottaskham1) February 28, 2016

Great support #UFCLondon what a feeling — Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) February 27, 2016

My job is to throw him , how he lands is his business ✈️ #DagestanAirlines pic.twitter.com/m37ULyLEy6 — Rustam Khabilov (@RustamTheTiger) February 28, 2016

I am so happy right now. — Teemu Packalen (@PackalenTeemu) February 27, 2016

Better luck next time.

No one conquers anything if you don't risk everything

It was a decision defeat. It is well-worn, but across the street to improve because the issue clear to the next. Most to people than expected have me to cheer on Twitter I was happy. The next step is to win always. I was very tired.

Don't know what to say congrats to Pickett and thank you to the fans of London great place hope you guys liked the fight @ufc @UFCEurope — FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) February 28, 2016

Big thanks to everyone who supported me last night,heartbroken I didn't get the win,I'll be back,congrats to @MakwanAmirkhani #UFCLondon — Mike Wilkinson (@M_WilkinsonMMA) February 28, 2016

Sorry do not succeed, I will return more strong. Thanks Ecuador

Lo siento no lo logre, volveré mas fuerte . Gracias Ecuador — Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) February 27, 2016

Watched my fight back just a minute ago. I feel like I won the fight. I felt in control the whole fight until the last minute and 20 seconds — Bradley Scott (@Bradleyscott89) February 28, 2016

Great job Rustam! It ws a pleasure to share the octagon with you..beautiful wrestling technique.. I wish you the... https://t.co/py9KItwcDR — STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) February 27, 2016

I am very sad that I wasn't able to give another win to all of my fans. Unfortunately this fight was ill-starred... https://t.co/MLiupZbjTJ — Jarjis Danho (@ManMountainMMA) February 28, 2016

Im all ok. Thanks for all The support pic.twitter.com/s8u1zrVVdE — Martin Svensson (@M_Svensson_MMA) February 27, 2016

Coulda, woulda.

I wish Anderson would have just stayed aggressive the whole time, he would have won https://t.co/76v7QkoFk1 — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 28, 2016

Absolutely I saw many glimpses of greatness during that fight. He definitely still has it https://t.co/gOzhjpLNr9 — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 28, 2016

Work.

Buds.

@bisping I still don't like you but that was one hell of a fight. Best performance of your career and perhaps best middle weight fight ever. — Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 28, 2016

Baby Conor look how far he has come! I am a massive fan of the @TheNotoriousMMA he delivers!: 16 ... https://t.co/57qFrIQkqj — Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) February 29, 2016

Beef.

Failing drug test is really something to be proud of. Hats off buddy ur a compete fuck up and proud of it. Good on u https://t.co/MVJCCU1HYC — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 26, 2016

I am very aware of that. Not my proudest moment. But I'm sure u know that. https://t.co/v260FNppkJ — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 26, 2016

Bringing it up. Jon can win every argument pretty easy. All he has to say is I already beat u. https://t.co/ji1KDKnb5P — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 26, 2016

this is true https://t.co/c4atqa3G2R — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 26, 2016

Hey @ChuckLiddell it'll be a honor to have you as a training partner at @JacksonWinkMMA @JonnyBones — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 26, 2016

We dancing or what @UriahHallMMA ? Or you gonna stand me up Cinderella ? #UFC — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 27, 2016

.@johnlineker I really can't wait to fuck you up. We will see who the cunt is. Just show up on weight with your boots tied tight. — Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) February 26, 2016

Interested?

Hey @nickdiaz209 see your talking shit. Don't be bitter cos I beat somebody you couldn't. Thought you were cooler than that. Obviously wrong — michael (@bisping) February 29, 2016

Hey @nickdiaz209 see your talking shit. Don't be bitter cos I beat somebody you couldn't. Thought you were cooler than that. Obviously wrong — michael (@bisping) February 29, 2016

I'd of thought @nickdiaz209 would be more concerned about the beating his bro is gonna get next week, rather than looking for his own — michael (@bisping) February 29, 2016

For the record I like @nickdiaz209 I've always been a fan. But if wants to throw down I'm in. — michael (@bisping) February 29, 2016

Crazy.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Feb. 26-28 2016)

NA

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