defenseman Jared Spurgeon.McDavid, however, returned for the start of a scoreless third.I was pretty shocked, to be honest, McDavid said of his removal.I

It has been a long road, but were finally here. Its time for the second chapter of Nate Diaz vs.?Conor McGregor.OK, so actually the road to UFC 202 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas hasnt been long at all. This rivalry went from zero to 100, as they say, in a hurry.Five months ago, McGregor was on top of the world, calling out lightweight and welterweight champs with every breath. Now hes staring down the barrel of a second consecutive loss to Diaz, who was so disgruntled with the sport and his contract in 2014, he actually requested a release from the UFC.Mixed martial arts moves quickly, and every storyline around this rematch is a testament to that. Lets take a closer look at this welterweight rematch. Dont agree with the pick? Let me know on Twitter: @bokamotoESPN.Main eventNate Diaz (19-10) vs. Conor McGregor (19-3) Welterweight rematch Odds: Diaz +115; McGregor -125Moments before the second round of their first fight, McGregor looked across the Octagon at Diaz and said, I can go all day. All day long.About two minutes later, McGregor gassed. Diaz hurt him with one left hand and the whole dam broke. Flood Diaz. McGregor tried to circle away but couldnt evade the bigger, longer man. He went to his tried-and-true left hand to back Diaz off, but that failed as well. Eventually desperation forced him to shoot the takedown.Here are perhaps the most basic observations one can make from that fight: McGregor did very well early -- and once the tide turned, he was all but helpless.Thats worth noting because it so clearly shows how important it is for McGregor to maintain constant control of this fight. Thats always true when youre talking about a fighter moving up in weight, but its amplified here because of Diaz. You cant weather a storm on the feet and hope Diaz gasses because he doesnt gas. You cant force a takedown to buy time and clear your head because hell choke you unconscious.In other words, theres no safe place for McGregor if he loses control. If at any time he finds himself in trouble, it means hes in a lot of trouble.Now dont panic, Ireland, working in McGregors favor in all this is that he is quite good. Even taking into account the fact Diaz had no camp for the first fight, McGregors tactics in the first eight minutes were fantastic. He repeatedly came over Diazs jab with the left. He landed several hard counter left uppercuts. Weve all come to know McGregor as this towering featherweight who aggressively mauls opponents, but hes actually a very skilled counter-striker as well.Throughout his career, Diazs lead leg has been vulnerable to kicks. McGregor threw effective side kicks in the first fight, and his coach called for more but they did not show up huge in his game plan. He conceded afterward he fell in love with the left hand and the lack of leg kicks is evidence of that.On the ground, its safe to assume Diaz holds a massive advantage. McGregor is not inept on the floor -- certain criticisms of his grappling have been, in my opinion, a bit exaggerated -- but at the same time, its true he hasnt had to show submission defense often in the UFC. Diazs jiu-jitsu is some of the best in the division. The canvas is not where McGregor wants to be in this fight -- ever.Diaz didnt seem intent on taking him down in March. The one takedown he was credited for came off a McGregor body kick, which he caught. Diazs wrestling is mostly set up out of the clinch, which I could see him trying to use a lot. If McGregors intent is to step off the gas and pace himself, forcing him into a clinch fight against a bigger man is a good way to blow that energy again.What is McGregors game plan on Saturday? Is it actually a very similar approach, just with different physical preparations? Is it a complete change in character -- move in and out, leg kick, circle, score points, avoid exchanges? I expect the pace to remain high but fewer power shots. Attack that lead leg and work the body more than he did the first time.PREDICTION: Two fights against Diaz will make McGregor a better fighter -- but a dimmer star. Diaz by fourth-round submission.Featured undercard boutsAnthony Johnson (21-5) vs. Glover Teixeira (25-4), light heavyweights Teixeira has all the tools to wear out Johnson over time, but Johnsons ability to just crack a dude is second to none. Its otherworldly. Prediction: Johnson via second-round KODonald Cerrone (30-7) vs. Rick Story (19-8), welterweights Cerrone is the better fighter when its all said and done, but at 170 pounds, with a strong ox of an opponent, Story can make this a dogfight that favors him. Prediction: Story via third-round TKOCody Garbrandt (9-0) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (21-9-2), bantamweights Garbrandt is the front-runner for breakout fighter of 2016. Mizugaki is a steely veteran who could always ruin the party. This storyline never gets old. Prediction: Garbrandt via second-round KONeil Magny (18-4) vs. Lorenz Larkin (17-5), welterweights? One of the more overlooked bouts on the card. Larkin should have advantages on the feet, but Magny brings a more complete package. Close fight. Prediction: Magny via second-round submission Richie James Super Bowl Jersey . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. Mike Person Super Bowl Jersey . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. https://www.49ersrookiestore.com/49ers-Tevin-Coleman-Jersey/ . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Raheem Mostert Super Bowl Jersey . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. George Kittle Super Bowl Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. EDMONTON, Alberta -- Mikko Koivu did it all Sunday night for the Minnesota Wild.The 33-year-old Finn capped a fantastic game by scoring 3:11 into overtime as the Wild edged the Oilers 2-1 and improved to 12-1-0 in their last 13 visits to Edmonton.Mikko Koivu did so many things aside from scoring that winning goal, Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau said.He was 21-2 on the faceoffs. Ive never seen it that high, that kind of percentage for that kind of number youve taken. Im sure someone has been 26-1 at some point, but not too many people have done that. He was out there every time there was an important faceoff. I thought he controlled the game when he was out there. He was a true leader out there.Charlie Coyle also scored for the Wild (12-8-4), who snapped a three-game skid. Devan Dubnyk made 28 saves and improved to 7-1-0 against the Oilers, his first NHL team.Patrick Maroon had the goal for the Oilers (14-10-3), who had won two straight.For us to scratch and claw and get a point, I dont want to say were satisfied, but it was good to get that, Edmonton coach Todd McLellan said. I didnt think we had the energy level and polish that we needed to beat a good defensive team tonight.Edmonton got on the board less than 3 minutes into the game. Dubnyk stopped a point shot by Mark Fayne, but couldnt recover in time to prevent Maroon from scoring his eighth of the season on the rebound.The Wild tied it with 55 seconds to go in the opening period. Coyle was able to muscle in a rebound off Oilers goalie Jonaas Gustavssons skate for his ninth goal this season.ddddddddddddThe shots were tied 23-all after a scoreless second. The best opportunity belonged to Minnesotas Zach Parise, who clanged a shot off the post.The Oilers got a bit of a scare with 6 1/2 minutes remaining in the second when captain and NHL leading scorer Connor McDavid was removed from the game by league concussion spotters after hitting his chin on the ice following a trip by Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon.McDavid, however, returned for the start of a scoreless third.I was pretty shocked, to be honest, McDavid said of his removal.I hit my mouth on the ice. You reach up and grab your mouth when you get hit in the mouth; its a pretty normal thing. Obviously the spotter thought he knew how I was feeling. He pulled me off. A (rotten) time of the game, too.Minnesota nearly scored midway through overtime, but a review confirmed the whistle had blown before the puck was pushed across the line in a scrum. Soon afterward, Koivu converted on a backhand.Game notes It was the first of three meetings this season between the teams. They play again Friday in Minnesota. ... Gustavsson, who stopped 31 shots, made his third start of the season in net for the Oilers. Cam Talbot has made 24 starts.UP NEXTThe Wild complete a five-game trip in Toronto on Wednesday.The Oilers begin a three-game road swing in Buffalo on Tuesday. ' ' '