White Hopes Diaz Fights In 2021 But ‘Not Counting On It’

Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

This year was supposed to mark the return of the Diaz brothers, but Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White doesn’t believe that will actuall…


UFC 202 - Press Conference
Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

This year was supposed to mark the return of the Diaz brothers, but Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White doesn’t believe that will actually happen.

While White has made it known that he has no confidence in Nick Diaz coming back from a six-year hiatus the UFC president is now having doubts about Nate Diaz, who is also plotting his return for 2021.

Diaz, who last competed at UFC 244 in a loss to Jorge Masvidal for the coveted “BMF” belt, remains one of the promotion’s biggest stars. He was briefly linked to a rematch with Masvidal since the first fight ended in a doctor’s stoppage, but that quickly fizzled out. Instead, Diaz has been riding the pine for the past 14 months and is not currently in discussion to book his next fight.

While White is hoping that Diaz steps foot inside of the Octagon in 2021 he doesn’t know if it will actually happen. I guess it’s one of those “I’ll believe it when I see it” type of situations.

“I hope (he fights this year),” White said during a recent ESPN+ fan Q&A. “I hope so. I’d like to see him fight. I’m not counting on it, but I’d like to see him fight.”

If Diaz were to return this year there are plenty of fights that make sense. A rematch with “Gamebred” would be at the top of the list while other matchups with top contenders at lightweight and welterweight would also do wonders. But as far as a long-awaited trilogy bout with Conor McGregor goes, that isn’t something White envisions booking over the next 12 months.

“Probably not,” said White.

What say you, fight fans? Will Nate Diaz return to action in 2021? If so, who would you like to see him fight?

Let’s hear it!