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 Yadier Molina Jersey . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Tim McCarver Jersey .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. http://www.cardinalsrookiestore.com/Cardinals-Enos-Slaughter-Kids-Jersey/ . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. 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SILVERSTONE, England -- Formula One leader Nico Rosberg is expected to bounce back and challenge Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix thanks to his rivals efforts on his behalf.Rosberg missed all of the second practice on Friday due to a water leak, while Hamilton clocked the fastest time and completed all the preparatory work for the team.Hamiltons efforts came just 24 hours after it was announced that the embattled duo, who have collided three times in five races, were given a final warning that they faced fines or suspensions if they crashed again.Mercedes technical director Paddy Lowe said Rosberg, who was unable to take part, will have the data gathered by Hamiltons work in the session to help him with his car set-up for Saturdays practice and qualifying.This isnt great for Nico, this sets him back, Lowe said. He hasnt had that practice today, but in terms of general homework for the team, Lewis did a fantastic job, running the soft and medium tires in both low and high fuel.Weve got our data for qualifying, and the race, which will carry across both cars. Nico will benefit from the running from Lewis car.Hammilton was fastest in the second session by three-tenths of a second ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo and six-tenths clear of his Red Bull teammate, Dutch teenager Max Verstappen.ddddddddddddBy the time we go into FP3, Nico will get quickly up to speed and tune himself in before qualifying, Lowe said. You saw how he did it last week in Austria . he has that ability.Lowe added that he was uncertain of the cause of the leak.Weve pulled the car apart, he said. Theres a small water leak and it appeared only just before the session started. We hoped to be able to run through it, without repairing it, because its a very small leak, but in the end we took the cautious route to protect the engine. There was some risk of damage.Rosberg leads the championship from defending champion Hamilton by 11 points.Sebastian Vettel and fellow Ferrari driver Kimi Rakkonen, who was confirmed as remaining with the Italian team for 2017 earlier in the day, wound up in fourth and fifth places ahead of a resurgent Fernando Alonso. ' ' '