Conor McGregor hits back at Nate Diaz after rival takes aim at him during UFC event

Conor McGregor has hit back at Nate Diaz on social media after the US mixed martial artist took aim at him at a UFC event in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Diaz was victorious at the pay-per-view event held at the T-Mobile arena, choking out Tony Ferguson in the fourth round in what was Diaz’s final fight of his UFC contract.

The 37-year-old had been due to due to fight Khamzat Chinaev on the night, however, the Swedish fighter missed his weight by a long way on Friday due to a Doctor's order.

The evening was also notable for events outside the octagon, where sections of the crowd at the 18,000 capacity venue were labelled ‘disrespectful’ by many Twitter users after footage emerged of them booing and chanting “USA” during a brief tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday afternoon.

In the post-fight press conference, Diaz hinted that he would be moving on to another sport and claimed that McGregor failed to perform when he made his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

"I want to get out of the UFC for a minute and show all these fighters how to take over and own up another sport how you’re supposed to do it because Conor McGregor didn’t know how to do it,” said Diaz.

"None of these other fighters know how to do it. So I’m going to go out there and I’m going take over another profession and become the best at that. 

"Show everybody I’m the best at that and then I’m going to be right the f*** back here to get a motherf****** UFC title. The best title in the world."

In response, McGregor took to social media with some equally stern words for his rival.

The Irishman wrote: "Ah come on bro I’m absolutely stinking. And with so much quality. This has never been seen before what I’m doing man. Please, you're nothing without me. Respect, please.

"I’d slap you around handy. And Tony easy. I’d have sawed Tony in half. Two ham ball heads. Respect the king."

The pair met for the first time in March 2016, when Diaz inflicted a first defeat on McGregor in the UFC. McGregor then demanded an immediate rematch and outpointed Diaz in the follow-up fight five months later.

Since then, speculation has been swirling about a possible trilogy fight but this has yet to materialise.