Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz could finally be set for a trilogy bout… but in the Power Slap League.
On Saturday, the former two-weight UFC champion joked his former foe stands a chance of winning a title if he were to meet him in Dana White’s slapping competition.
The Slap League, which is being overseen by the UFC president, will be launched in early 2023, which will see competitors hitting one another in the face with an open hand.
It will be regulated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission [NSAC], with fighters to be given 30 seconds to deliver the slap, with another 30 seconds for recovery.
And McGregor has taken to social media to comment on his interest in White’s new venture, before expressing his desire to face Diaz.
The pair fought twice in 2016, and with one win each, UFC fans have been desperate to see a third meeting between the duo.
But with Diaz currently a free agent after coming to the end of his UFC contract, it appears unlikely they will square off inside the octagon.
As a result, McGregor wants to face Diaz in a slap contest, as he referenced the American’s slap on his training partner Dillon Danis at UFC 281.
In a series of tweets, McGregor said: “This power slap championships is growing on me. Who doesn’t like watching good quality clatters hahaha.”
Before adding: “Is it a flip of a coin who gets to go first? How long do they have to recover before they get to throw their counter?
“Or is it over if they’re ko’d? Fascinating. I’m attending one of these 100 per cent. Is this Dana’s? Wtf is this madness Dana hahaha. I’m in.”
He then stated: “Me Vs Nate on it for the title hahahaha maybe that’s a title you’d have a better chance of coming close to winning Nate you little slapper hahahaha.”
In recent months, other competitions have attracted celebrties like Logan Paul and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
McGregor, who hasn’t fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, is expected to make his MMA comeback next year, with Michael Chandler a possible opponent.
White‘s Slap League has received some flak from critics, but the UFC president has insisted it is a lot safer than boxing.
He told MMA Fighting: “I saw a lot of the goofballs talking s*** — goofballs being media guys — talking about, ‘What’s next, mallets?’ Stupid s*** like that.
“The bottom line is, in a boxing match, guys get hit with 300-400 punches in a f****** fight. These guys are going to get hit with three slaps.
“For these morons to be talking all the s*** that they are about the athletic commission, the athletic commission did the right thing. So did we.
“We run right toward regulation, regulate the sport to make sure it’s safe for everybody — because a lot of people are going to get involved in this just like they did MMA.
“What you want is you want to make sure there’s clear cut set rules, people have to take the proper medicals before, during, and after the fight to keep the thing safe.
“It should be regulated and Nevada did the right thing. I applaud them and that’s why they’re the most respected athletic commission in the world.”
