The UFC has finalized a figth between Nate Diaz and former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
Initiatlly reported by ESPN, UFC President Dana White confirmed the bout, which will serve as a co-main event at UFC 241 on August 17. The fight will reportedly be at 170 pounds.
Nate Diaz is one of the UFC's most entertaining and popular fighters, but he hasn't fought since his loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 202 in August 2016. It was the second time the two fighters had met in the Octagon. While Diaz submitted McGregor the first time they met at UFC 196, he lost the rematch with Irishman by unanimous decision.
During the UFC 202 post-fight press conference, Diaz violated the USADA rule by smoking CBD vape pen within four hours after the fight. After a long two-year layoff, Diaz was slated to return against Dustin Poirier in November, but the fight fell through after Poirier withdrew due to injury.
Pettis, a former lightweight champion, had a successful debut in the UFC welterweight division when
he knocked out Stephen Thompson in stunning fashion in March.
Headlining UFC 241 will be a
heavyweight title bout between champion Daniel Cormier and former champion Stipe Miocic.