Dana White: Despite Reports, ‘Nothing is Going On’ with Nate Diaz

While recent reports pointed to Nate Diaz negotiating for a potential fight at UFC 227 this summer – including one from ESPN.com – UFC president Dana White doesn’t appear overly optimistic.

UFC 227 is slated for Aug. 4 in Los Angeles and already features a rematch between UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw and former titleholder Cody Garbrandt.

Diaz has long clamored for a trilogy bout with Conor McGregor or a shot at UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, but White has been adamant that neither of those bouts would be in the offing for his next fight. 

Diaz is one of the more popular fighters on the roster, but granting him a title shot in his return doesn’t seem warranted. He is 3-4 in his last seven fights. So it is expected that lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov would also be a no-go for any fights currently offered to Diaz.

Though sources confirmed discussions with Diaz’s team had begun, White recently told Yahoo! Sports veteran reporter Kevin Iole that any recent offer didn’t really signify much of a change in Diaz’s status.

Diaz hasn’t fought since back-to-back bouts with McGregor in 2016. According to White, he has been offered several fights since, but has declined them all.

This article first appeared at News – MMAWeekly.com