Most of the top lightweight contenders agree that fighting Nate Diaz makes no sense, simply because the inactive, unranked slugger — who moonlights at welterweight — is a high risk, low reward contest that won’t pay as much as a marquee bout against pay-per-view (PPV) king Conor McGregor.
Which is why Charles Oliveira is ignoring this recent callout.
“To be honest, it is a fight that theoretically makes no sense to us,” head coach Diego Lima told Ag Fight (via Adam Martin). “Nate is not active, much less ranked. It is a fight that would only happen for financial reasons. But even so, I don’t think it would be beneficial for us at this point. We know that McGregor sells a lot. Really who he faces sells well. Nate is not at that level. Our goal is the belt. Even if it is very financially worthwhile, today I do not see this struggle adding to Charles’ career. The goal is only one, the lightweight title.”
That may explain this recent decision.
Oliveira (30-8, 1 NC) is the winner of eight straight with seven finishes, including last December’s nod over Tony Ferguson. Diaz (20-12), meanwhile, is coming off a loss to Jorge Masvidal and has not competed for more than a year.
On the bright side, I hear this guy is available.