Outside Source
Nate Diaz hasn’t been in Octagon in nearly three years, but a return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship seems to be something that might interest him.
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In a recent appearance on “The HJR Podcast,” the popular Stockton, California, native broached the possibility of fighting for the organization where he originally made his name.
“I plan on going back to UFC,” Diaz said. “If they’ll have me, I would like to go back and f—ing whoop someone’s ass there. It’s kind of slow rolling. I don’t really have a name in mind right now in the UFC. That’s why I’m not there right now.”
Diaz parted ways with the Las Vegas-based promotion in 2022 after a fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Since then, he’s competed in boxing twice, falling to Jake Paul via unanimous decision in August 2023 and earning a majority verdict over former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal in July 2024.
While the 40-year-old Cesar Gracie Fight Team representative doesn’t have a particular opponent in mind, there are a couple of fights that intrigue him. That includes a matchup against current BMF champion Max Holloway and former featherweight king Ilia Topuria. Holloway is facing Dustin Poirier in his retirement bout at UFC 318, while Topuria will vie for the vacant lightweight crown against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
“Those are the guys right there who I would want to fight, like Max Holloway” Diaz said. “I would like to fight the other guy who’s really good too, Topuria. He’s really good, but he’s smaller than me. I’m done with 155. I’m cool off that. It always was [a difficult cut]. When I was 18, it was hard. I’m staying at ’70. I’ll fight at 185, too.”
Of course, the possibility of a trilogy against Conor McGregor always looms large for Diaz. The first two meetings with the Irish star in 2016 — which they split — propelled Diaz to a new level of stardom that he has managed to maintain over the years. McGregor hasn’t fought since July 2021 and it’s currently unclear if he’ll be fighting anytime soon.
“Whenever he’s back, I’m sure we’re going to fight,” Diaz said. “Me and him for sure got unfinished [business]. Got to happen.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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