Will Nate Diaz return to the UFC or pursue other opportunities in the MMA world? Find out his plans and potential matchups in this article.
Nate Diaz, the former lightweight title challenger and one of the biggest stars in UFC history, recently became a free agent in the world of mixed martial arts. After his submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279, Diaz left fans wondering about his next move. While he is set to make his boxing debut against Jake Paul, Diaz has finally shed some light on his future plans.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour, Diaz was asked if his next fight would be in mixed martial arts. His response was intriguing, as he stated, ‘Yeah, probably. Probably. I don’t know. I’m not thinking past this right now. I said I’ll get that done and know what I want to do. I have ideas, but there isn’t anything that I’m committed to.’ Diaz’s words suggest that he is open to returning to the UFC or exploring other opportunities in the MMA world.
Diaz’s potential return to the UFC has sparked speculation about a highly-anticipated trilogy bout against Conor McGregor. Diaz famously handed McGregor his first loss in the UFC with a second-round submission at UFC 196. The two fighters then had a rematch at UFC 202, where McGregor emerged victorious with a majority decision. If Diaz does make his way back to the UFC, a third fight between these two rivals could be on the horizon.
While Diaz focuses on his upcoming boxing match with Jake Paul, he has received offers from other promotions as well. Jake Paul himself has expressed interest in facing Diaz in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). However, Diaz has made it clear that he is not interested in joining the PFL at this time. Instead, he seems more inclined to pursue a mixed martial arts bout with a 50-50 split in his promotion, Real Fight Inc.
In addition to discussing his own future, Diaz also weighed in on Francis Ngannou ‘s departure from the UFC. Both Diaz and Ngannou were once prominent figures in the promotion, but they have since moved on to pursue other opportunities. Diaz expressed his support for Ngannou, stating, ‘I’m happy that he’s happy and making some money. Whatever he wants to do, that’s cool. If you’re a fighter, especially the heavyweight champion of the world, you should do whatever you want to do.’
Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC has been met with curiosity, as he is reportedly set to make more money facing WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury than he did in all of his UFC fights combined. Furthermore, he is expected to receive a substantial payout from the PFL for joining their ranks.
As Nate Diaz prepares for his boxing debut and contemplates his future in mixed martial arts, fans eagerly await his next move. Will he return to the UFC for a potential trilogy fight with Conor McGregor? Or will he explore other opportunities in the MMA world? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – Diaz’s next move will be highly anticipated and closely watched by fans and fighters alike.
Summary
| Key Points |
|---|
| Nate Diaz hints at a return to the UFC or pursuing other opportunities in the MMA world. |
| A trilogy fight against Conor McGregor is a likely option if Diaz returns to the UFC. |
| Diaz is not interested in joining the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at this time. |
| He may consider a mixed martial arts bout with a 50-50 split in his promotion, Real Fight Inc. |
| Diaz expresses support for Francis Ngannou ‘s departure from the UFC and his pursuit of other opportunities. |
