News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Nate Diaz will face Conor McGregor in a welterweight fight at UFC 196 next month following Rafael dos Anjos' withdrawal from his lightweight title fight against McGregor with a foot injury.

Earlier this week, Mirror Fighting's Jim Edwards spoke to McGregor's coach, Owen Roddy, about the Irishman's preparations for March 5th.

McGregor will face Diaz at 170lbs, which is two divisions up from all of his previous fights.

Until yesterday, McGregor was preparing for a fight at 155lbs lightweight and, before Dos Anjos' withdrawal, Roddy said his fighter was looking better than ever.

"The preparation has been fantastic. We've done a lot more rounds and he's had way more energy," Roddy revealed.

(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty)

"He's a workhorse and puts it in any way but you can see when he fights at featherweight that he doesn't quite have the same energy.

"For this camp, he's faster, he's bigger, he's stronger and he's in a happier place mentally."

"He just looks phenomenal but I always say that every fight. He just seems to take it to the next level every time and become a way better version of himself.

"He has the same advantage that he has over everybody and his ability to find that shot that puts people away and execute them.

(Image: Getty)

"It's inevitable that Conor finds that shot. He's got 25 minutes in there and anybody is bound to get hit once in 25 minutes I don't care who you are.

"He could land one in the first 30 seconds never mind in 25 minutes. His ability to find the holes and put the shots in is what makes him unique. He hits like a middleweight."

Roddy believes McGregor's knockout power will be maintained at welterweight and says the Irishman is capable of adding to his five consecutive KOs with yet another at 170lbs.

"Trust me, at that weight, he would still be knocking people out without a doubt," Roddy added.

(Image: Getty)

"He's hit very hard and punches way above his weight. He's very, very accurate and those two things combined they are devastating," he concluded.

Despite McGregor and Nate Diaz being a non-title fight it will still headline UFC 196 ahead of the women's bantamweight title clash between Holly Holm and Miesha Tate.

The fight will be fought over five rounds and not the traditional three.

It has been reported but unconfirmed that Diaz will receive a $500k appearance fee and a $500k win bonus should he defeat McGregor.