Nate Diaz wants another fight in the UFC.
UFC star Nate Diaz is the talk of the MMA world after indicating that he wishes to return to the Octagon.
The Stockton native hasn’t fought since that PPV record-breaking majority decision loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 202. The reported $13 million Diaz earned from that fight appears to have been enough to keep him sitting comfortably on the sidelines since August 2016.
However, the game is undeniably better when Diaz is involved and his announcement on Instagram got everyone excited. He’s aiming for a comeback in May or June.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeUKqYtH-uL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_ufi
That post has sent the speculation into overdrive. We know when he wants to return, but who is going to welcome him back to the Octagon?
UFC president Dana White confirmed to TMZ Sports on Wednesday that he was going to offer Diaz a fight that day.
“I’ll tell you what, I’ll call him today and make him an offer. I’ve got to look at the rankings and see where everybody is. I will make Nate Diaz an offer to fight today.”
Who else is there? https://t.co/zw6ELi3jWy
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 24, 2018
Diaz was linked with a shock welterweight title shot against Tyron Woodley in UFC 219’s main event. ‘The Chosen One’ was willing to delay surgery on a torn labrum in order to finally accept a money fight. However, the UFC supposedly low-balled Diaz with their offer and lack of fan enthusiasm saw the story swiftly run out of steam.
White confirmed that Woodley has missed the boat to fight Diaz. There are just too many welterweight contenders in the queue right now, namely former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.
“The reality is there’s real guys like Rafael dos Anjos and guys in line that are waiting for that fight. There’s so many guys that deserve that fight before Nate does and they’re going to get it.”
McGregor isn’t getting the call to fight Diaz either. At least, not right now. If ‘the Notorious’ is to come back, White wants him to fight the winner of Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov, a fight which is apparently for the undisputed title.
“I think people would rather see Conor come back and either fight Tony or Khabib, whoever wins. The Nate Diaz fight isn’t going anywhere. We could do that thing anytime.”
With all those big names already ruled out, it’s looking increasingly likely that Eddie Alvarez will be fighting Diaz next. ‘The Underground King’ has yet to book a fight since ending Justin Gaethje’s unbeaten run. His beef with Diaz can be traced back to UFC 188 where Alvarez scored a split decision victory over Skrap Pack member Gilbert Melendez.
