We know Tyron Woodley is sitting out, but hopefully he's sitting down, too.
The supposed No. 1 UFC welterweight contender just might have been leapfrogged by a guy who was literally tossed out of the division by Rory MacDonald.
Woodley was up in arms over the prospect of UFC featherweight champ Conor McGregor possibly taking his place against welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 200 in July, but the Irishman's loss is Nate Diaz's gain.
Diaz submitted McGregor in the second round of their main event Saturday night at UFC 196 in Las Vegas and now UFC brass are giving him "the push" he's been asking for.
"You know what would make a lot of sense?" UFC president Dana White asked the ESPN panel post-fight at UFC 196. "This isn't the fight I'm making, I'm just saying, [Diaz] and Robbie Lawler would make a lot of sense. His brother beat [Lawler]. Robbie's now the world champion and Nate became very, very popular tonight. We'll see what happens with Nate, but listen, for me to try to predict what one of the Diaz brothers is going to do? Who knows?"
According to Lance Pugmire of The Los Angeles Times UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta is right in step with White.
Spoke to @lorenzofertitta about UFC 196 fallout. He says he likes the idea of @NateDiaz209 vs. @Ruthless_RL
— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) March 6, 2016
As White mentioned, Lawler was knocked out by the elder Nick Diaz at UFC 47 in 2004.
White has stated he "would love to see Robbie and Nick fight again," but given Diaz's current suspension and the fact that he hasn't won a bout since beating B.J. Penn in 2011, younger brother Nate may just be a more bankable alternative.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Post-show. Ariel Helwani, Dave Meltzer, and Marc Raimondi break down the storylines coming out of Saturday's UFC 196.
'I went into panic mode.' Conor McGregor calls loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 196 a "bitter pill."
'Just a big mistake.' Holly Holm believes getting "complacent" against Miesha Tate cost her the fight.
And new. Miesha Tate was ready to "risk getting knocked out" in fifth round against Holly Holm.
Options. Conor McGregor says he's likely headed back down to 145 pounds but is still open to challenging for the lightweight title or a rematch with Nate Diaz at 170 pounds.
MEDIA STEW
Octagon interviews with Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor and Miesha Tate.
Highlights of Diaz-McGregor and Holm-Tate at UFC 196.
Dana White recaps UFC 196.
UFC 196 post-fight presser highlights. (full presser here)
Holly Holm talks loss to Tate.
Jon Jones reacts to Holm and McGregor losing and has some words for Daniel Cormier.
Long watches.
KNUCKLE UP #325: DIAZ-McG + Look Who Is Smiling Now? Outside of Everyone
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TWEETS
Check out Pros React from UFC 196 and This Week in Struggle.
Victory lap.
#war https://t.co/z2dU6Yc8gL pic.twitter.com/KbOgqc5qJY
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 7, 2016
Thank you for your support! @ufc @danawhite #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/cVGNbQsAlY
— Ilir Latifi (@Latifimma) March 6, 2016
24 hrs later and I'm already back home studying film trying to get better. So much room to grow... https://t.co/ue0CE6WpMs
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) March 7, 2016
There are moments in the fight that your corner becomes crutial...last night was one of those moments. pic.twitter.com/AM1QZzvWih
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) March 6, 2016
Vitória em Las Vegas!... https://t.co/tzIl8TxHna
— Vitor Miranda (@Vithai) March 6, 2016
Hard work pays off! U get what u put in! #UFC196 #winning #Teamalphamale #dedication pic.twitter.com/bmEV8uqgHm
— Darren Elkins (@DarrenElkinsMMA) March 7, 2016
Not a scratch man it feels good to not have to get stitches! thanks be to the Lord Jesus Christ... https://t.co/D2U3RxhitI
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) March 6, 2016
(don't push play at work)
これやから格闘技はやめられへん。(笑) pic.twitter.com/hzCi0Wxdyk
— Teruto Ishihara (@teruto_ko) March 6, 2016
Better luck next time.
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...
Posted by Conor McGregor on Sunday, March 6, 2016
Haha your the best @RubyRose thank you
— Gian Villante (@GPVillante) March 6, 2016
@joerogan even though I didn't get the W, can I still get some kettlebells?:)
— Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) March 7, 2016
I'll be back more stronger!
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) March 6, 2016
Regreso mas fuerte!
Я вернусь еще сильнее! #BulletValentina #ufc196 pic.twitter.com/syIkYivd70
Obrigado a todos pela torcida #likeatiger #LoveTheProcess https://t.co/3mC1FMV359
— Erick Silva (@ErickSilvaMMA) March 6, 2016
More reactions.
Conor McGregor I'll see you at #UFC200, your Cinderella fantasy is over. Nowhere to run to now- you're gonna have to give me my rematch, you pussy!! UFC Dana White
Posted by Jose Aldo Junior on Saturday, March 5, 2016
If @thenotoriousmma wants to show character and prove he is a champion he needs fight me,... https://t.co/9hnYsJ7Owf
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) March 6, 2016
||--->>>That's what weight divisions are made for, a bigger man can take heavier shots and keep going. A...
Posted by Rafael Dos Anjos on Sunday, March 6, 2016
Yo @danawhite give me that fight!! @UFC @MieshaTate I beat her before, let me do it again! #Zingano/Tate2 #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/pj0S1PwhkN
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) March 6, 2016
@natediaz209 got me working my #StocktonSlap . Mad respect for what he did last night. People... https://t.co/BOb49Vwol8
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) March 6, 2016
Post fight thoughts from @nickdiaz209 #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/lhlVisHASy
— UFC (@ufc) March 6, 2016
Round 2 from Aldo and RDA.
Frankie "The Answer" Edgar, I heard you were asking for a title shot. I respect you as a fighter, but let's check the...
Posted by Jose Aldo Junior on Sunday, March 6, 2016
How come after a performance like that you call somebody a pussy?You showed me and the world that you don't deserve to fight for 155 belt
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) March 7, 2016
Beef.
Looks like his do no evil, high and mighty role isn't working out as planned https://t.co/h5GypdJqCg
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 5, 2016
Weidman acting like my jealous ex girlfriend. #Unstoppable
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) March 5, 2016
@BobbyKGreen Easy Big homie , U can grab the winner of Jim miller vs Diego .. My focus is the belt , U still fight ?? I like watching u
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) March 6, 2016
Buds.
Oh really??? What now jonnybones let do this @ MGM Grand Garden Arena https://t.co/4RQqA6BKNu
— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) March 6, 2016
Glad I had a chance to talk things out with Chuck tonight pic.twitter.com/x8cyyMZ7bl
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 6, 2016
Jiujitsu is One family... @NeimanGracie and @Leprechaunmma reviewing their mistakes after their fight.. True BJJ ;-) pic.twitter.com/fMYSjJU7Oo
— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) March 5, 2016
Fight to the death then share the secrets #TrueMartialArts @jakeshieldsajj pic.twitter.com/GBbdTvR0Vy
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) March 6, 2016
What can't he do?
NASCAR Pit-Stop fun @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/NUqeA0OVse
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) March 6, 2016
Guess on placement?
Looking for the finest tattoo artist in South Florida. All hail Nate Diaz. Honored to pay tribute to the Diaz bros. & an all-time great win.
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) March 6, 2016
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Mar. 4-6 2016)
Rory MacDonald vs. Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson
Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 198
Yancy Medeiros vs. Francisco Trinaldo at UFC 198
Sergio Moraes vs. Kamaru Usman at UFC 198
Luke Rockhold vs. Chris Weidman at UFC 199
Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber at UFC 199
Ian Entwistle vs. Alejandro Perez at UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Rothwell
Lucas Martins vs. Robert Whiteford at UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Rothwell
Maryna Moroz vs. Cristina Stanciu at UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Rothwell
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.