UFC welterweight Nate Diaz has publicly shut down the idea of fighting Khamzat Chimaev for his return to the octagon.
Diaz has been inactive since his loss earlier this year to Leon Edwards at UFC 263. Despite previously saying he wants to fight multiple times in 2021, the year is almost over and it’s unclear as to when Diaz could return to the octagon next.
One potential matchup that has been talked about has been a fight with Chimaev. A rising star in the UFC, Chimaev and the UFC brass have expressed a lot of interest in a potential fight with Diaz.
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Diaz sounded less enthused about a Chimaev fight happening.
“They’re coming at me with (Chimaev) and I’m like, ‘Hold on, don’t disrespect me like that, trying to offer me a fight with a rookie,’” Diaz said. “I’m cool. You got four fights in the UFC. Don’t even talk my name. There are levels to this and I don’t even want to hear his name.”
“I’m trying to fight somebody in the UFC, like ASAP, but nobody wants to fight,” Diaz continued. “I’ve been trying to get somebody for a minute. Anybody in the top 10 I’ve been trying to fight, in any weight division, whoever want it. But they all want to keep their mouths shut cause they are all scared.”
Nate Diaz Has Made It Clear That He Wants A Top Contender Next
Diaz has remained in the public eye despite his inactivity in the UFC this year. He’s picked social media battles with Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Dustin Poirier.
Diaz was briefly linked to a potential fight with Poirier, but Poirier ended up fighting in a trilogy against McGregor before getting the lightweight title shot. He’s slated to face Charles Oliviera at UFC 269.
Diaz has one fight left on his current UFC contract and it’s unclear as to when it’ll take place, and who will be his next opponent.
Who would you like to see Nate Diaz fight next?