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LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor will fight Nate Diaz at UFC 196 on March 5 after champion Rafael Dos Anjos dropped out of their bout with a foot injury.
The UFC announced the 170-pound matchup Tuesday night.
McGregor (19-2) won the UFC featherweight title in December. The Irish pay-per-view star hopes to hold the 155-pound lightweight belt simultaneously, but Dos Anjos (24-7) was forced out of the matchup after injuring his foot.
Diaz (18-10) isn’t a title contender, but the entertaining brawler from Stockton, California, is one of the UFC’s most popular fighters in his weight class.
Diaz lost a decision to Dos Anjos last year, but also beat Michael Johnson in December in a thrilling bout.
Bantamweight champion Holly Holm also meets Miesha Tate on the UFC 196 card.
READ: UFC champ Dos Anjos injured, out of McGregor bout