Former lightweight championship challenger and perennial UFC star, Nate Diaz has hit out at the current contract structure under the banner of the promotion – as well as leaping to the defense of two-time opponent, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor who appears to be on ice, currently.
Diaz, a former welterweight contender and one-time lightweight title chaser under the banner of the Dana White-led organization, completed his contractual obligations officially back in November 2021, departing with an impressive win.
Headlining UFC 279 that September prior, Stockton native, Diaz turned in a spectacular fourth round guillotine choke submission win over former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson in the pair’s impromptu welterweight main event fight.
Since making a professional boxing debut, The Ultimate Fighter winner, Nate Diaz made his first venture to the ring in a 10-round fight with social media star, Jake Paul in August of last year, suffering a one-sided unanimous decision loss.
Slated to make his sophomore outing in the ring later this summer, Diaz is set to fight fellow former UFC title challenger, Jorge Masvidal in a rematch of their 2019 Octagon battle, in Inglewood, California.
Nate Diaz defends Conor McGregor’s absence from UFC
And expressing his interest in a return to mixed martial arts at UFC 306 in September at the Las Vegas Sphere as part of a monumental event for the organization, Diaz has hit out at the way contracts are laid out – ahead of a massive antitrust suit coming down the tracks in the coming weeks, claiming the UFC would rather a fighter “die” before fighting elsewhere whilst under contract.
“This was me for years before Conor (McGregor) even got here [the UFC],” Nate Diaz posted on his X account, in response to outcry from Conor McGregor regarding a lack of activity on a planned return to the sport. “They want u to die before u get out these contracts it’s up to u to make something pop no one gonna help you but you. Free Conor it’s at [St.] Patty’s Day in this b*tch.”
This was me for years before Conor even got here they want u to die before u get out these contracts it’s up to u to make something pop no one gonna help you but you
Free Conor it’s at pattys day in this bitchpic.twitter.com/X4WQVNV79X
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 17, 2024
Sharing his displeasure with a failed return to the Octagon back in December of last year in January, McGregor revealed he had stopped a rigorous training regime as a result, and cited a lack of motivation as a long-anticipated return continues to hit roadblocks.
What are your thoughts on Nate Diaz’s latest outburst against the UFC?