Dubliner Conor McGregor on another collision course with UFC employers

After a fractious five months ended with Conor McGregor resiliently reclaiming his position as the biggest draw in combat sports, the Dubliner might be pitched right back into a fresh battle of wills with his UFC employers.

McGregor outlasted Nate Diaz through five rounds of punishment in Las Vegas at UFC 202 on Saturday night, settling the scores after he lost to Diaz in March, a defeat that kicked off a testing time between fighter and employers.

But in the immediate aftermath of the fifth-biggest gate in the UFC’s history, president Dana White insisted McGregor must now return to the featherweight division he dominated before this two-fight feud with Diaz — or relinquish the belt. That was met with a swift response.