Irishman Conor McGregor got destroyed when he stepped up to challenge Nate Diaz in March. Five months later at UFC 202 he won a brutal and bloody battle in the rematch.

As we await the third instalment, here are some classic sporting rematches through the ages.

LA LAKERS VS BOSTON CELTICS

They’ve faced off many times but the back-to-back NBA Finals in 1984 and 1985 has to be the best. Boston won in ’84 but La gained revenge a year later.

NEW YORK GIANTS VS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

New England were the favourites in both their Super Bowl clashes of 2008 and 2012 against New York. But the Giants stunned their opponents on both occasions.

BJORN BORG VS JOHN McENROE

The Swede defeated McEnroe for this fifth straight Wimbledon title in 1980, but then lost the rematch to the foulmouthed American a year later.

ROGER FEDERER VS RAFAEL NADAL

These two tennis legends faced off in three straight Wimbledon Finals, with Federer winning the first two but the Spaniard gained revenge by winning in 2008.

MUHAMMAD ALI VS JOE FRAZIER

Ali v Frazier was so good, they had to have two more fights. Their second rematch is arguably the best fight of all time, and simply referred to as the “Thrilla in Manila”.