Nate Diaz would like to run it back against Conor McGregor.
Believe it or not, but Nate Diaz is still contracted to the UFC. The 40-year-old has done outside ventures such as boxing as of late, but that’s mainly due to Diaz not having much of a desire to face anyone in the UFC currently.
When speaking on Out Cold, the Stockton native was questioned on who would fight at this exact moment and he went back to his old rival, Conor McGregor.
“If I could fight anybody right now, I would fight — with all due respect to them — if Conor McGregor came back. Shit, Conor McGregor,” Diaz said on Out Cold. “There ain’t nobody else to fight, really, right now. I would like for him to come back and impress everybody first. Not that he needs to, but it would be great to see him back. Everybody’s hating on him. I’d like to beat up somebody on top of the world, and I think he’s got the capability to do that.”
The former UFC Lightweight Champion hasn't stepped into the octagon in four years. McGregor was supposed to fight Michael Chandler on numerous occasions, but the fight was eventually cancelled in 2024 due to Conor suffering a broken toe. Given that Conor is reportedly making a bid for the President of Ireland, he won’t be making any returns to the octagon soon.
But Diaz hasn’t fought in the octagon since 2022, so he’s been out of the game for a bit as well. Though he would prefer to fight Conor in his return, he’s been scouting the game and wouldn’t mind stepping into the ring against Ilia Topuria, though he might be a little small for Diaz.
“Then that little Ilia Topuria, he’s doing a really good job,” Diaz said. “He’s a little small for me, but those two are probably the best fights.
“And then on the boxing side, obviously Canelo or Crawford. I ain’t asking for nothing, but when I whoop someone’s ass, I’m gonna get them motherf*ckers, too. With all do respect. So that’s my plan.”
Will we see Nate Diaz back in the UFC? Only time will tell. Though even if he steps back in the octagon, it’s highly doubtful that he’ll get another crack at Conor McGregor. McGregor doesn’t seem that interested in returning to the octagon, which was the biggest reason Chandler finally decided to move on after chasing a fight with him for nearly two years. Anything is possible, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they announced their retirement tomorrow.