Conor McGregor: Loss to Diaz is 'tough pill to swallow'

Conor McGregor was dejected, but humble following his loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 196.

McGregor moved up two weight classes for the fight, and acknowledged afterward that the difference in size had a big impact on the outcome.

"I feel I was simply inefficient with my energy," he said at the postfight press conference, per Bloody Elbow. "Usually, when I fight a man in the division I am champion in and they crumble under those shots. But Nate took them very well. I think the weight allowed him to take those shots well."

McGregor wanted to challenge Robbie Lawler for the welterweight title if he defeated Diaz, but said he'll likely return to the featherweight division to defend his title against Jose Aldo or Frankie Edgar.

"It's a tough pill to swallow, but we can either run from adversity or we can face our adversity head on and conquer it," McGregor said of the loss. "And that's what I plan to do. It wasn't ideal, I got caught. It is what it is. I'll face it. I'll take it on the chin. And I'll carry on. I'll learn from it. And that's it."

McGregor believes he'll be ready for UFC 200 on July 9.

"I'm not cut," he said. "I'm simply heartbroken and that's it. I'll pick myself up and we'll figure it out in the morning."