Nate Diaz, a former UFC lightweight and BMF title challenger, had one of the storied rivalries in the UFC with Conor McGregor. Diaz was the first fighter to beat McGregor in the UFC as he won via rear-nake choke submission at UFC 196.
McGregor would go on to win the rematch at UFC 202 via majority decision and make it 1-1 in their rivalry. Diaz would go on hiatus after UFC 202 whereas McGregor would go on to claim the lightweight title at UFC 205 followed by a high profile boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Nate Diaz hints at Conor McGregor trilogy
Conor McGregor has not fought since his unfortunate leg break against Dustin Poirier at UFC 265. The Irishman announced via social media on 2024 New Year’s Eve that he will be fighting Michael Chandler at middleweight on the June 29 PPV. However, Nate Diaz has recently tweeted which insinuated a potential Conor McGregor trilogy bout.
“Real war,” Nate tweeted with the picture of his octagon face-off with The Notorious at UFC 196. Diaz, at present, isn’t signed with the UFC as he left the promotion after his submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Nonetheless, a McGregor vs Diaz III does not seem to be far-fetched, particularly considering the finances involved with such a matchup.
Real war pic.twitter.com/mBhGYmvchi
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) January 27, 2024
UFC 300 is without a headliner and both McGregor and his potential opponent Michael Chandler have flirted with the idea of headlining the coveted PPV. “McGregor on 300 seals the deal,” the Irishman tweeted out earlier sending fight fans into a frenzy. Chandler also tweeted in response to McGregor’s tweet.
Recently, Ariel Helwani broke the news that Diaz will be fighting former foe Jorge Masvidal in a boxing bout but no further information has been available of it since. Diaz had earlier flirted a return to the UFC for a one-off fight at UFC 300 which made many assume that McGregor vs Diaz III would be headlining UFC 300.
Nate Diaz rumored to make UFC comeback
Nate Diaz is a promotional free agent and, even at 38 years of age, remains one of the biggest stars in MMA. Unlike fighters like Francis Ngannou, who left the UFC for the PFL on a bad note, Diaz departed the UFC on cordial terms with the organization and its CEO, Dana White. Therefore, it is not far-fetched to envision him making a return to the UFC.
The UFC badly needs a headliner for UFC 300 and a potential Conor McGregor versus Nate Diaz III suits the bill. As a former challenger for both the undisputed lightweight title and the symbolic BMF title, Diaz is a big name in MMA. However, his popularity is due to his 2 part rivalry with Mystic Mac.
Aside from the Irishman, former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier is also a potential opponent for Diaz. However, Diaz is fighting in the co-main event of UFC 299 against surging contender Benoit Saint-Denis, thereby ruling him out of an imminent fight with Diaz.
Do you think Nate Diaz will make a UFC comeback? Leave your thoughts below!
