Bitter rivals McGregor and Diaz watch on as Jones secures easy win

Conor McGregor shares a FROSTY exchange with bitter rival Nate Diaz at UFC 285 as big names descend on Las Vegas to watch Jon Jones claim heavyweight title against Cyril Gane

  • Jon Jones won the UFC heavyweight title with a dominant win over Ciryl Gane 
  • UFC rivals Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz were both in attendance last night 
  • The pair have long been linked with a trilogy bout after taking one win apiece 

Long-term rivals Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz appeared to lock eyes in the stands – as both men were in attendance to watch Jon Jones win the UFC heavyweight title on Saturday night.

Jones made French opponent Ciryl Gane tap out inside the first round of their contest at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

The fight attracted a huge host of celebrities, as well as names from the MMA world, including McGregor and Diaz.

Both men have long been linked with a trilogy bout, after sharing one win apiece in their prior two clashes.

BT Sport posted a video of both men in the crowd, where the duo appear to have a frosty exchange at the T-Mobile Arena.

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz were in attendance for Jon Jones’ victory at UFC 285

Jones became the heavyweight champion as Ciryl Gane tapped out in a guillotine choke

The video starts off on Diaz who appears to be eyeing up McGregor and makes a gesture towards his rival. The camera then turns to McGregor who is also looking in Diaz’s direction – stern-faced – before he turns away. 

Diaz clinched a second round submission victory over McGregor when the pair first fought in Las Vegas in March 2016.

McGregor didn’t have to wait long to get his win back though, with a majority decision victory five months later at the same arena as last night’s fight between Jones and Gane. 

Over recent years, the pair have squabbled on social media, with reports linking them to a deciding third bout.

McGregor though has been out of action since July 2021 after breaking his leg in a defeat to Dustin Poirier.

He is currently coaching on The Ultimate Fighter, and is set to have his return bout against Michael Chandler later this year. 

Diaz, last fought in September where he defeated Tony Ferguson via submission with a guillotine choke, before opting not to sign a new UFC deal and making him a free agent.

McGregor was seen sitting next to US actor Jake Gyllenhaal in the stands during the event

McGregor was spotted by UFC president Dana White and the pair shook hands

McGregor and Diaz have both spoken about a potential trilogy bout between the pair

Ahead of Diaz’s last bout, McGregor tweeted: ‘Congrats Nate Diaz on making it to the end of his contractual obligations with the UFC, and as a bonafide superstar goer. An incredible feat. Fair play. Our trilogy will happen.’

McGregor was seen shaking UFC president Dana White’s hand at last night’s event, while he was also pictured with Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhall. 

He was sat in a separate section to Diaz, but the pair were clearly visible to each other from where they were sitting.

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