Morning Report: Kenny Florian says Conor McGregor 'mentally broke' against Nate Diaz

Talk of UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor fighting Robbie Lawler at UFC 200 seems forever ago.

It took nearly 10 minutes, but Nate Diaz spoiled the party for McGregor when he submitted the Irishman in a welterweight main event at UFC 196 in Las Vegas.

Speaking with fellow UFC commentator Jon Anik, Kenny Florian says it was all too much, too soon for McGregor.

"Conor, while he's super slick, and I still think he was the more slick boxer, he was not the more consistent boxer," Florian said Monday on his podcast. "When you go up in weight and you're used to fighting at a certain weight and carrying that extra weight you're not going to be as efficient as you normally are. You're going to expend more energy fighting at that weight. I think Conor didn't take that into account.

"The other thing is I don't think Conor respected Nate Diaz. He didn't respect Nate Diaz the way you should. He didn't think his chin was going to be able to hold up. He thought his punches were going to land and Nate Diaz was just going to crumble. He underestimated him."

McGregor likely carried the first round on most scorecards, but the momentum began to shift late in round two as Diaz refused to go down.

"The other thing is, and Conor kinda of talked about this, is his lack of efficiency," said Florian. "Conor was trying to knock him out with every shot. Before he realized that he was tired, it was too late. I think that was the difference. When he saw that Nate Diaz was still walking forward, still throwing shots and landing them, I think mentally it broke Conor.

"He goes, 'My god, against other normal human beings, 145-pounders, these guys crumbled with the power.' I think that really threw him for a loop. He didn't expect Nate Diaz to stay standing like that."

Florian believes McGregor needs to return to the featherweight division, be it against Jose Aldo or Frankie Edgar. Pushing for Edgar, Florian believes a win for McGregor would close out that chapter of his career and justify a permanent move to 155 pounds.

"He's got to go down to 145, first of all," Florian said of McGregor. "He's got to defend his belt at 145 pounds. I would like to see him face Frankie Edgar. That's just what I would like to see. For Conor, as champion, I'm going to go with whatever is going to bring me the most money. What do the fans want to see?

"We saw the Jose Aldo fight, give another guy a shot. I know Aldo was the champion for a very long time. He certainly has an argument to get that rematch, however, I'd like to see a fresh face in this case. I think Frankie deserves it. He's been waiting in the wings for a very long time. Give the kid a shot."

5 MUST-READ STORIES

‘Bro, how are you going to tap?' UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos says Conor McGregor lacked heart, got "exposed" at UFC 196.

It's something. After signing with Bellator MMA, Wanderlei Silva will enter a grappling tag match at the upcoming Rizin Fighting Federation event.

Monday Morning Analyst. Luke Thomas explains how Nate Diaz defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 196.

'He's a p*ssy. He went down and quit.' Jose Aldo says Conor McGregor has no power in his hands and that Frankie Edgar doesn't deserve a title shot.

'Let's see a proper fight.' Conor McGregor's coach John Kavanagh says, if it were up to him, a rematch with Jose Aldo would be next.

Watch The MMA Hour with Rafael dos Anjos, John Kavanagh, Paige VanZant & Matt Mitrione in studio, Jake Shields, Robert Follis, Chi Lewis-Parry and Chuck Mindenhall.

MEDIA STEW

Dana White's Looking for a fight episode 3.

Miesha Tate taking more shots at Ronda Rousey.

Dana White talking UFC 196 fallout with Cowherd.

DC, McGregor, PVZ, Hendo, Gus, Ronda and others discuss their favorite knockouts of all-time.

Joe Rogan and Eddie Bravo defends McGregor's ground game at against Nate Diaz. (full podcast here)

Behind the scenes at KSW 34.

TTTHS.

Long watches.

Motus V with Nick The Tooth - Jason Parillo UFC 196 Wrap-up

...

TWEETS

Congrats.

Hungry.

Hey @RondaRousey you got to beat her up twice already, I want 2 too. Lets fight over the belt when it's mine @ufc pic.twitter.com/FRFqIfREMX

— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) March 7, 2016

You'd want to avenge that "controversial" loss right, champ? @MieshaTate @ufc @danawhite pic.twitter.com/e8s1HhAseM

— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) March 8, 2016

Beef.

A little foreshadowing @thedomin8r taking a nap in my presence. #ufc199 @ufc https://t.co/GftvyYLUdg

— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) March 7, 2016

And yes I have been hired by @ufc to get @thedomin8r more followers on social media. He is who... https://t.co/LhmLSjQITX

— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) March 7, 2016

Biebers a hater https://t.co/w016OtahGQ

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 8, 2016

Biebers a hater

A photo posted by natediaz209 (@natediaz209) on Mar 8, 2016 at 12:01am PST

Get well soon.

( 3 months ago) Every camp has its setbacks OVERCOME ! shout out to Dr Alan Brackup 4 being Amazing! #ufc #eafight pic.twitter.com/E9SwFxOzeF

— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) March 7, 2016

Buds.

No I'm going to keep that conversation between us. I will say we spoke like men and were both really respectful https://t.co/cBibWfyPrR

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 7, 2016

Tequila marathon.

I wasn't trainjng for a triathalon before this fight I was on a yacht in cabo gettin my chillax... https://t.co/GMgRd0h24x

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 7, 2016

I wasn't trainjng for a triathalon before this fight I was on a yacht in cabo gettin my chillax on wit my dudes @gilbertmelendez and crew before I got the call but #alwaysreadyforwar in season or not #100 #patron #ninjashit #theninjaway

A video posted by natediaz209 (@natediaz209) on Mar 7, 2016 at 3:53pm PST

Life lessons.

Is this with the torn groin?

What a world.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Mar. 7 2016)

NA

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.