UFC lightweight Nate Diaz gave fans a special treat on Wednesday. Sitting down with MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani for a special edition of the MMA Hour (and warning, there’s a massive amount of NSFW language there, and for all other links), Diaz discussed a broad range of topics. Chief among them? The rumored superfight between top pound-for-pound boxer and UFC featherweight champion (and Diaz’s current archrival) Conor McGregor.
“I’m the only 1 out of the 3 of us that can say I’ll whip Floyd and Conor’s asses in one night,” he said, via MMA Fighting on Twitter. “I’ll call your bluff. Fight Mayweather, m———-r.”
Diaz famously upset McGregor at UFC 196, forcing the popular knockout artist to tap in the second round. Despite entering the event as an underdog, Diaz exited as one of the hottest commodities in the sport, gaining mainstream recognition alongside his established cult following. Unfortunately, a UFC 200 rematch between the two was cancelled due to a dispute between the UFC and McGregor over media appearances, which has left Diaz in limbo.
The UFC, for its part, seems to be looking to remake the fight, with UFC executives Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta traveling to Beverly Hills, California, and Stockton, California, to speak with McGregor and Diaz, respectively. Whether the fight happens, however, is anyone’s guess. White told ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto that the time he spent with Diaz “wasn’t a good day,” and Diaz shed some light on why with Helwani.
“I want $100 million, up front,” he said jokingly. While he would most likely be willing to drop that down to an eight-figure paycheck, there is clearly a sticking point between the UFC and Diaz’s camp over how much he should make, and especially how much he should make relative to McGregor.
In addition to McGregor, Diaz tackles a number of other topics including jiu-jitsu, his brother’s suspension and the lack of business savvy of fellow mixed martial artists in what was a genuinely must-watch interview. According to Diaz, his fights are now “beyond belts,” meaning his next opponent will be an established attraction if the McGregor rematch falls through (with former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre). Either way, Diaz’s fighting future seems uncertain, but still bright.
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