For Eddie Alvarez, Nate Diaz’s hesitance to fight is not a money issue, but more about the opponent he would be matched up against.
With more than a year into his absence from the UFC, Nate Diaz recently went on social media to reveal his possible return date around May or June. Immediately after his post gained traction, his fellow 155-pounders began calling him out.
One of those who wants a piece of the younger Diaz brother is Eddie Alvarez, but at the same time, he is not holding his breath for it, considering that Nate could still be angling for a third fight against Conor McGregor.
“The more I think about it, the more I’m like: When Conor takes a break, Nate takes a break,” Alvarez said on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour (via MMA Fighting). “Conor’s like, ‘I ain’t fighting until August,’ and Nate’s like, ‘Well, I ain’t fighting until July,’ or some sh-t. I guess his ego doesn’t let him say, ‘I just want to fight Conor.’ Just say it. Like, just be honest with everyone.
“If that’s who you want to fight, there’s nothing wrong with that. But don’t call everyone out if you don’t have any intention of fighting anybody.”
Diaz did say that he would return if the UFC offered him a “big deal” matchup, but according to Alvarez, the issue may be more about the opponent than the money.
“It’s going to be purely up to Nate Diaz if he wants to rumble or not,” Alvarez said. “I’m here if he wants to do it. He’s said a lot of stuff, so we’ll see. That’s on him. And there’s fans who go, ‘Oh, he just wants money, it’s just money.’”
“Let me tell fans something, I know Nate’s contract. I know it. I know exactly what he gets. I hired his management when I was doing my McGregor deal, so I know his deal in and out. Nate’s getting paid money. He’s going to make millions regardless of who he fights.”
“So people saying, ‘Oh, he doesn’t want to fight for $200,000 or $300,000,” he added. “He doesn’t want to fight Alvarez for (that much money).’ He’s not going to. If he fights me, he’s going to make over a million dollars. Guaranteed. So don’t worry about Nate making money.”
“If he doesn’t want to fight, it’s because he doesn’t want to fight the opponent. It’s not because of the money. He’s going to make money, everybody’s going to make money. I just want to make that clear.”
Diaz’s last UFC fight took place in August 2016 at UFC 202, losing via majority decision against Conor McGregor in their rematch. The event garnered a live gate of $7.6 million, making it the fifth largest gate card in UFC history.