Morning Report: Nate Diaz says Conor McGregor getting 'gift' rematch because UFC thinks first fight 'was an accident'

Nate Diaz has his own ideas about why he's fighting Conor McGregor a second time.

Diaz submitted McGregor with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their welterweight main event March 5 at UFC 196 and the pair will headline UFC 200 July 9 in Las Vegas.

McGregor had the option to defend his UFC featherweight title or maybe even challenge lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos, but insisted on getting another crack at Diaz right away.

Speaking with ESPN's Brett Okamoto, Diaz says the UFC believes his victory was "an accident" and that the promotion plans to "take him out before he gets any bigger."

"Since that last fight, have you heard any praise for me from Dana or the UFC? None at all," Diaz told ESPN. "How much praise has that m-----f----- got? I've never lost a fight and not wanted to fight the guy 10 minutes later. The UFC is pumping him up again, saying he wants to redeem himself and giving him all this credit for it. It's like, dude, I've been obsessed with every fight I've ever lost. This is a gift for him to get it right away.

"He's saying he's obsessed? Welcome to my life, m-----f-----. That's the game, and I've never gotten my losses back."

McGregor dictated the terms of the weight of the first bout with Diaz, but it's up for debate as to why the second fight remains at 170 pounds. Neither Diaz or McGregor currently call welterweight home but Diaz believes it has everything to do with the Irishman looking to right a wrong.

"He knows that if he goes in and changes circumstances, then that's weak," Diaz said of the rematch. "It's not cool to go in and make your own set of rules because you lost on another set. If you're going to avenge your loss, you've gotta go out and avenge it for real. It's like a guy saying, 'Let's fight again, but no takedowns.' That's weak, and he knows that."

Despite a strong finish the first go-round, complacency doesn't sound like an issue for Diaz.

"I think I can beat every fighter from my weight up to heavyweight," Diaz said. "I really do feel like I'm better than everyone, but I feel like if I don't go in there and do what I'm supposed to do, you can f--- up and lose to anyone. So even a guy I just beat, I need to make sure I prepare and get the job done. Kill or be killed. There's a lot of pressure in this sport. I need to go in and make s--- happen my way."

McGregor faces Diaz July 9 in the main event at UFC 200 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

***Well guys, that's it for me. Sad to say this is my final Morning Report for MMA Fighting. Thank you so much for reading it over the years. It's much appreciated. And no, I promise this is not an April Fools joke. Thanks again. -DSM

5 MUST-READ STORIES

The MMA Beat. The panel discusses Jon Jones' latest arrest, the UFC 198 & 200 cards and much more.

Statement. UFC "disappointed" by Jon Jones' latest incident, but fight with Daniel Cormier at UFC 197 will proceed.

'Jon is gonna do Jon.' Dana White says playing the "good guy" drove Jon Jones "crazy."

'He has some insecurity, but he's a good kid.' Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva reacts to Jon Jones' arrest.

Sold out. Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic will fight in front of 45,000 fans in Curitiba, Brazil at UFC 198.

MEDIA STEW

Jon Jones goes before the judge.

Dana White reacts to the Jon Jones traffic stop video.

Holly Holm blames herself, not her preparation, for loss to Miesha Tate.

Gracie breakdown of the helicopter armbar from RFA 35.

KSW took the VR everywhere.

TTTHS.

Long watches.

...

...

TWEETS

About time.

I feel slightly sorry for each one of your vertebrates @BryanCaraway @ufc #ProtectYaNeck

— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) April 1, 2016

Interested?

.@MieshaTate #ufc200 is too close to #ufc198 but #UFCny at Madison Square Garden? Let's break ppv records !@ToddShapiroShow @theJaybrody

— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) March 31, 2016

Hey @ryanbader
All respect you're a great fighter. Let's fight. Why not at MSG? Let's give the fans what they want to see.@danawhite @ufc

— Ilir Latifi (@Latifimma) March 31, 2016

I'll oblige, let you know a date. https://t.co/8NlaEMIKjh

— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) March 31, 2016

Buds.

another solid day of work!! @bjpenndotcom @ JacksonWink MMA https://t.co/jSSzZStbSZ

— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) March 31, 2016

#Repost @showtimepettis with @repostapp.
・・・
another solid day of work!! @bjpenn https://t.co/HlhwZNj6Yz pic.twitter.com/nBbYQgheVP

— JacksonWinkMMA (@JacksonWinkMMA) March 31, 2016

Unfortunate.

Heading north.

Oil change on the way to TriStar Gym! Only 1,900 miles.. @firas_zahabi @georgesstpierre @romac_gorilla @oliaubin pic.twitter.com/yZtBZcMyLg

— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) March 31, 2016

Congrats.

I want to thank everyone who is responding to me joining Bellator. Your energy is what kept me going and doing the right things. Love u all.

— Jacob Stitch Duran (@StitchDuran) March 31, 2016

I got my Jiujitsu Blackbelt today from @LiborioATT @McCarthyUFC @AmericanTopTeam Truly honored and proud! @ufc pic.twitter.com/3yM9Vv028p

— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) April 1, 2016

I'll watch.

Nobody is making you watch it. Why you following me . https://t.co/AsyD8Jej66

— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 31, 2016

Protect yourself at all times.

That moment your #zebra bites your nipple. All I wanted do do was kiss him. #zeb #zebby #myzebra... https://t.co/Ga7OW6hwEa

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) March 31, 2016

That moment your #zebra bites your nipple. All I wanted do do was kiss him. #zeb #zebby #myzebra #sicko #zebrainmissouri #ironmichael @bellatormma #bellatormascot @jd_aguon @rtrevor06 @dannybrener @briechandler

A video posted by Michael Chandler (@mikechandlermma) on Mar 31, 2016 at 10:34am PDT

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Mar. 31 2016)

Sage Northcutt vs. Enrique Marin at UFC 200

Keith Berish out, Jake Collier vs. Alberto Uda at UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Garbrandt

Bryan Caraway vs. Aljamain Sterling at UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Garbrandt

Tonya Evinger vs. Colleen Schneider at Invicta FC 17

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.