Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Nate Diaz called out welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal last night (Sat., Aug. 17, 2019) at UFC 241 after knocking off former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis in the co-main event (HIGHLIGHTS HERE).
Despite making his first Octagon appearance since a 2016 loss to Conor McGregor, Diaz didn’t miss a beat in his return against “Showtime.” The Stockon fighter had to endure some damage but ultimately had his way with Pettis en route to a comeback victory.
After his win, Diaz took control of the microphone and directed his attention cageside to Masvidal, who is coming off a five-second knockout finish over Ben Askren at UFC 239 last month (HIGHLIGHTS HERE).
“The reason I was off is cause everybody sucked and there was nobody to fight,” Diaz said of his lengthy absence during his post-fight interview (shown above). “With this belt, I want to defend it against Jorge Masvidal, he had a good last fight. All respect to the man but there ain’t no gangsters in his game anymore.
“I know my man’s a gangster but he ain’t no west coast gangster.”
Masvidal, who was just a few rows back from Diaz, had the following reaction:
Masvidal’s reaction to being called out by Diaz pic.twitter.com/7RYOoW5ke9
— ZombieProphet (@GIFsZP) August 18, 2019
While we’ll leave the gangster dispute up to Diaz and Masvidal the two welterweights would make a great pairing for an end-of-the-year clash. Diaz seemingly hasn’t missed a beat amidst the longest layoff of his career and “Gamebred” has never been more popular after taking “Funky’s” head off in mere seconds.
We all know Masvidal was hoping for a welterweight title shot against the winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington, or even a money fight with Conor McGregor, but Diaz is a great alternative. Let’s see if UFC bites.
For complete UFC 241 results and coverage click here.