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Published 07:49 12 Aug 2016 BST
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McGregor has his camp based in the latest 'Mac Mansion' in Las Vegas and his decision to tone down his media appearances in the run-up to August 20 is proving a wise one, according to the Dubliner who maintains that the rematch with Diaz is a different prospect to his previous fights.
"This is most certainly not another fight," McGregor said. "I have done things differently this fight. We have been going to war every single day in the gym in preparation for this. So, this is a war to me."
The only reason that Diaz got the call to oppose McGregor at UFC 196 was due to a short-notice withdrawal on the part of lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.
And although pull-outs are a familiar phenomenon for the reigning 145 lbs champion, McGregor is not anticipating Diaz going the way of dos Anjos and Jose Aldo, who had to be replaced by Chad Mendes ahead of UFC 189.
"I do not recall him pulling out of a contest before," he said. "I'm just able to tell things sometimes. So, I feel he will be there and that's it.
"I'm very happy with that. It's a nice feeling for a change. I've never had that. They always pull. They always have. It's nice to have this feeling that the man will show up. The man I'm set to face will be there. So, the preparation has been there."
Exclusive interview with Paraic Duffy on the latest GAA Hour. Subscribe here on iTunes.
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