Nate Diaz wants big fights against Georges St-Pierre and Robbie Lawler, but also doesn’t want to step on his brother’s toes at welterweight.
Nate Diaz has made it clear that following his win over Conor McGregor, he wants the biggest fight possible next. Dana White suggested a title bout against Robbie Lawler “makes sense”, while Georges St-Pierre’s coach has called for a bout against Nate as well.
Before UFC 196, Diaz was asking for that very bout against St-Pierre, but recent statements now make it seem like he is hesitating a little bit. Nate told ESPN that he is probably leaning towards the lightweight title rematch against Rafael dos Anjos instead.
“I’m thinking probably the lightweight title fight, whatever is biggest,” Diaz said. “The biggest thing with Lawler and GSP — I would have been all about those fights and I am, but at the same time, my brother [Nick] is coming back and those are his fights. Those are Nick Diaz fights. I’m not trying to step on his shoes. We’ll see how things play out. As far as rematches go, I lost close decisions and never got a rematch.”
“I’m not asking for anything. I’m demanding more than everybody. I want more than everybody, straight up. Money talks. I want the biggest fight. Whoever I’ve got to fight — the biggest show, biggest payday — that’s what I want.”
If Diaz wants the biggest payday among those three, it certainly won’t be a Dos Anjos rematch.
While I understand hesitating to campaign in a division that your brother competes in, Nate definitely shouldn’t decline any massive bout that comes his way, as it doesn’t automatically mean they pass it on to Nick if he declines.
There’s also a matter of timing. Nick’s shortened suspension ends on August 1st, while Lawler and St-Pierre (if he really decides to return) are likely to compete at or near UFC 200 in July.