Conor McGregor defiant after UFC 196 loss: 'I will not change who I am'

UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor suffered the most high-profile setback of his mixed martial arts career on Saturday night when he was submitted in the second round of his UFC 196 main event by Nate Diaz.

While McGregor still retains the featherweight strap - and likely will defend it next, according to UFC President Dana White - Saturday's loss represents the first misstep of McGregor's burgeoning career and growing stardom.

Does that mean McGregor is going to change who he is? According to an Instagram post from the Irish fighter on Sunday, probably not.

"I stormed in and put it all on the line. I took a shot and missed," he wrote. "I will never apologize for taking a shot."

I stormed in and put it all on the line. I took a shot and missed. I will never apologize for taking a shot. Shit happens. I'll take this loss like a man. I will not shy away from it. I will not change who I am. If another champion goes up 2 weights let me know. If your tired of me talking money, take a nap. I'll still be here when you wake up with the highest PPV and the gate. Still talking multi 7's. Thank you to the true support and fuck the hate that came out of the woodwork. I love it all. Its still steak for breakfast. I've been here many times in my life in some form or another. I'll eat it all and come back stronger. Aldo you are a pussy. Dos anjos you are a pussy. When the history books are written, I showed up. You showed up on Twitter. To the fans! Never ever shy away from challenges. Never run from adversity. Face yourself head on. Nate I will see you again.

A photo posted by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Mar 6, 2016 at 12:52pm PST

"I'll take this loss like a man. I will not shy away from it. I will not change who I am. If another champion goes up 2 weights let me know," he continued. "If your tired of me talking money, take a nap. I'll still be here when you wake up with the highest PPV and the gate. Still talking multi 7's."

McGregor, 27, was submitted at 4:12 of the second round after being rocked by Diaz on the feet, forcing a shot from the striker on the jiu-jitsu black belt. Diaz quickly took top position, mount, back control and finished McGregor off with punches that set up the choke.

The loss brings McGregor's record to 19-3 while Diaz moves to 19-10.

"Thank you to the true support and f--k the hate that came out of the woodwork. I love it all. Its still steak for breakfast," McGregor said. "I've been here many times in my life in some form or another. I'll eat it all and come back stronger."

Before he was done, however, McGregor had words for both previous and one-time opponents from Brazil.

" [Jose] Aldo you are a pussy. [Rafael] Dos anjos you are a pussy. When the history books are written, I showed up. You showed up on Twitter," McGregor wrote. "To the fans! Never ever shy away from challenges. Never run from adversity. Face yourself head on. Nate I will see you again."