Nate Diaz vs Khamzat Chimaev? Nate isn’t impressed.
Nate Diaz recently asked to fight Tony Ferguson. While many fans were instantly on board with that fun match up between veteran lightweight strikers, Dana White wants him to fight undefeated welterweight (and part-time middleweight) Khamzat Chimaev instead.
Diaz is on the last fight of his current UFC contract, and reminiscent of the old and ruthless Joe Silva playbook for those who want to test free-agency, White is adamant that a bout against a wrestler that’s bigger and younger is the best way to send him off.
If Diaz’s Instagram story is any indication, the longtime fan-favorite is not impressed with the potential match up.
This is Nate Diaz’s reaction to Dana White wanting him to fight Khamzat Chimaev. pic.twitter.com/ipVeHRKkU2
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) November 4, 2021
Diaz tagged Dana White and included a reaction-meme from Russell Westbrook, where the NBA star said “What?? Bro, what are you talking about? Bro, I’m out, man.”
Diaz, 36, has been part of iconic bouts and huge events through the years, but he is in the latter stage of his career and has dropped three of his last four fights. While more than capable of still putting on entertaining fights, Diaz has also notoriously struggled against wrestlers throughout his career.
Chimaev, 27, is a three-time national wrestling champion in Sweden before turning that into a surging MMA career. He is currently 10-0 overall, and 4-0 in the UFC, with every single win coming by finish.