UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor was able to drop Nate Diaz on three different occasions during their five-round war at UFC 202 in Las Vegas.

Although “Mystic Mac” was able to find a home for his big left hand on frequent occasion against Diaz, Nate took all of the shots and just kept coming back.

McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh spoke about Diaz’s terrifying ability to absorb punishment in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani:

“You can’t get a heavier shot than that,” Kavanagh said Monday on The MMA Hour. “And what does Nate do? Puts his hands out and walks forward. I’m not gonna lie, I was slightly terrified.”

He continued:

“For me, I was looking at him just taking these heavy shots and walking forward, smiling,” Kavanagh said. “In my head, I’m going, I’m glad I’m on the outside here. This is insane that Conor has hit him with everything. It’s an incredible ability Nate has. That’s why I think it’s the toughest fight.”

Kavanagh told Helwani that he shouted at McGregor to stick to the game plan. Diaz replied back, to the McGregor corner, “F*ck you and your game plan!”

“It was a crazy moment,” Kavanagh said. “I’m having a conversation with him. His eye is all over the place. That was deep in round four.”

It is safe to say that Nate Diaz has earned the respect of Conor McGregor and his camp over the course of the last six months.