Nate Diaz is stepping into the breach for injured UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and will fight UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor at UFC 196.
Dos Anjos pulled out of their lightweight title fight on Wednesday, having been forced out of the Las Vegas bout because of a broken left foot.
The UFC made the announcement via their Twitter account.
Diaz, who defeated Michael Johnson on December 19 had lost his three fights prior to that win and will fight McGregor in a welterweight bout.
That means the undefeated and seemingly undaunted McGregor will move up two weight classes for the fight.
There was concern Diaz wouldn't be able to make the 165 pound catchweight, however McGregor, ever the showman suggested the weight of his opponent won't matter.
"Make it 170. Tell him to get comfortable," McGregor said.
McGregor, is unbeaten in seven UFC fights, was looking to make history against dos Anjos by becoming the first fighter to hold titles in multiple weight classes simultaneously.
He'll have to wait for that honour but he will become the first fighter since 2005 to headline a UFC card without a title on the line.
McGregor is in the co-main event alongside the women's bantamweight title fight between Holly Holm and Miesha Tate.
The fight marks Holm's first title defence since she knocked out former undefeated champion Ronda Rousey with a head kick on November 15 at UFC 193 at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium.
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