McGregor ekes out decision over Diaz in thriller at UFC 202

Conor McGregor evened the score with a majority decision victory over Nate Diaz, and Anthony Johnson made quick work of Glover Teixeira at UFC 202 in Las Vegas.

Conor McGregor def. Nate Diaz via majority decision

The UFC could be in for another trilogy.

Conor McGregor overcame mid-fight fatigue and a temporary shift in momentum to win a majority decision over Nate Diaz. McGregor avenged his loss to Diaz with a more calculated approach, landing leg kicks and combinations instead of swinging for the fences as he did the first time. The yielded immediate results, as Diaz was knocked down several times in the early rounds.

Diaz, a notoriously slow starter, came on late in the second and clearly took the third after McGregor began to tire, but the Irishman was saved by the bell. "The Notorious" recovered enough to take the last two rounds as blood began to impede Diaz's vision.

After resorting to the clinch out of exhaustion, Diaz landed a takedown with seconds left in the fight, but it wasn't enough to trump McGregor's striking output, however weakened, in the final two frames.

Recap: McGregor avenges loss to Diaz in all-time classic rematch

Related: McGregor denies suffering broken foot in win

Anthony Johnson def. Glover Teixeira via 1st-round KO

Anthony Johnson may have punched his way to another light heavyweight title shot.

It took all of 13 seconds for Johnson to find Glover Teixeira's chin with a world-shattering uppercut. Teixeira immediately went limp and any follow-up shots were unnecessary. It was arguably the most impressive knockout victory yet for Johnson, who owns 16 wins by strikes in his career.

Post-fight, Johnson called for a rematch with 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier.

Watch: Johnson puts Teixeira to sleep with KO in 13 seconds

Donald Cerrone def. Rick Story via 2nd-round TKO

Donald Cerrone continues to impress in his move to welterweight.

Cerrone found his range for a second-round TKO of Rick Story in his third fight at 170 pounds. "Cowboy" put together a masterful combination of strikes, following a punch to the body with a high kick to a doubled-over Story, finishing with him with some more punches for good measure. After spending much of the first round in a grappling match with Story, Cerrone brought the fight back to feet before picking "The Horror" apart for the finish.

Recap: Cerrone finishes Story in 2nd round of entertaining tilt

Mike Perry def. Hyun Gyu Lim via 1st-round TKO

For all of his weigh-in antics, Mike Perry showed that he had plenty to offer once he stepped into the Octagon.

The debuting Perry was undaunted by the taller and more experienced Hyun Gyu Lim. He took the fight right to Lim from the beginning, scoring a knockdown that the Korean never recovered from. Lim suffered two more knockdowns before referee John McCarthy waved off the fight with Perry ready to dish out more damage.

Recap: Perry upsets Lim via 1st-round TKO in UFC debut

Tim Means def. Sabah Homasi via 2nd-round TKO

In a clash of knockout artists, Tim Means repeatedly beat Sabah Homasi to the punch.

Means beat Homasi bloody to earn a second-round TKO. "The Dirty Bird" unleashed a steady barrage of strikes on an exhausted Homasi, finishing him with punches against the cage. Despite facing a far less experienced opponent who took the fight on just 11 days notice, Means did not get over overzealous in his attack, instead gradually beating the wind out of Homasi before throwing several coups de grace.

Recap: Means brutalizes Homasi for TKO victory

Cody Garbrandt def. Takeya Mizugaki via 1st-round KO

Cody Garbrandt's list of knockout victims continues to grow.

The 25-year-old Alpha Male standout won by knockout for the fourth time in five UFC appearances, dusting off veteran Takeya Mizugaki in under a minute. The always game Mizugaki chose to stand and bang with Garbrandt, which resulted in him eating a straight right that put him on his knees. Garbrandt chased him down and finished the fight with a series of hammer fists.

Watch: Garbrandt knocks out Mizugaki in 48 seconds

Raquel Pennington def. Elizabeth Phillips via unanimous decision

Raquel Pennington took the path of most resistance in her decision victory over a durable Elizabeth Phillips.

Phillips and Pennington constantly traded momentum through the first two frames, the former relying on the clinch and submission attempts, the latter clearly winning the striking exchanges. Pennington stole the second round with a late takedown and continued to rely on her grappling in the third, alternating between top and back control to win on points.

Recap: Pennington grinds her way to decision over Phillips

Artem Lobov def. Chris Avila via unanimous decision

Artem Lobov's first UFC win won't be one for the highlight reel, but he'll take it.

For three listless rounds, Lobov out-struck newcomer Chris Avila with kicks to the leg and lunging hooks. Neither fighter managed to score anything substantial, but Avila looked unprepared for the bright lights of the UFC and he struggled to throw strikes, much less land any. The decision went to Lobov, who struck first blood for his teammate Conor McGregor against Avila, a Nate Diaz training partner.

Recap: Lobov beats Avila with leg kicks for first UFC victory

Cortney Casey def. Randa Markos via 1st-round submission (armbar)

Cortney Casey quickly turned a Randa Markos takedown in her favor for an impressive submission victory.

Casey grappled her way from her guard to trap Markos in an armbar with under 30 seconds to go in the first round. Markos headlocked Casey to take her down, but the latter effortlessly transitioned to back control, exploiting her edge in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to lock in the submission.

Recap: Casey turns tables on Markos for 1st-round submission win

Lorenz Larkin def. Neil Magny via 1st-round TKO

The dynamic striking of Lorenz Larkin was on full display in a four-minute destruction of Neil Magny.

"The Monsoon" lived up to his destructive nickname, blasting Magny early with a pair of kicks to the body and following up with kicks to the leg that hobbled his opponent. Magny shot in for a desperation takedown that Larkin sprawled to avoid. Ground-and-pound followed, leading to a TKO stoppage in Round 1 and a huge win for Larkin over the No. 7-ranked Magny.

Recap: Larkin upsets Magny to close out UFC 202 Fight Pass prelims​

Colby Covington def. Max Griffin via 3rd-round TKO

Colby Covington spoiled Max Griffin's UFC debut doing what he does best.

Covington repeatedly took Griffin down and peppered him with strikes en route to a TKO victory. After opening the fight with a precarious striking exchange, Covington predictably put Griffin, the more decorated striker, on his back, wearing him down with ground-and-pound. Griffin looked to trap Covington in a kimura in the opening frame, but otherwise had no answer for his opponent's wrestling, ultimately succumbing to repeated blows to the head.

Recap: Covington leans on wrestling to dominate Griffin for 3rd-round TKO

Marvin Vettori def. Alberto Uda via 1st-round submission (modified guillotine choke)

Marvin Vettori showed no fear going to the ground with grappling specialist Alberto Uda.

The 22-year-old Italian was impressive in his debut as he trapped Uda in a guillotine choke to get the tap-out with 30 seconds remaining in Round 1. Vettori gained top position early after sweeping the aggressive Uda. Working from Uda's guard, Vettori eventually capitalized on a scramble to snag Uda's head and secure the fight-ending submission.

Recap: Vettori submits Uda in first round to win UFC debut