Nate Diaz has broken his silence and recently took to Instagram. The Stockton native stated a possible return in May or June. It didn’t take long for fighters in the lightweight division to begin calling him out.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeUKqYtH-uL/?taken-by=natediaz209
Who could be next for Nate Diaz?
Diaz (19-11) last fought in the UFC against Conor McGregor (21-3) in August 2016 and has not stepped back inside the Octagon since. Diaz has stated on a number of occasions that he will not return to the organization unless he receives a trilogy fight with McGregor. Now closely approaching the two year mark since his last bout, perhaps has changed his mind. With that being said here are some potential match-ups for Diaz upon his return.
Eddie Alvarez
Alvarez (29-5) was one of the fighters who used the opportunity to call out Diaz after his Instagram post. The caption read, “Sick of sitting around waiting for you fuckers to do shit there’s no excitement in this fight shit step your games up I’ll see u around may,June.
Sincerely The Real Champ” in which Alvarez responded with the following message via Twitter:
May-June is perfect @NateDiaz209 , see you then big guy 👊🏻 💥#Eastcoastbeastcoast #Ufcmostviolent
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 24, 2018
Alvarez and Diaz have a small history together, after the two got into an altercation at UFC 188. Alvarez faced Diaz’s friend and teammate Gilbert Melendez in what ended in a Split Decision win for Alvarez. Following that bout, Diaz said in an interview with Ariel Helwani, “Alvarez didn’t win the fight at all.” Although nothing materialized following that interaction, rumor is that Diaz might possibly be interested in a fight with Alvarez. Especially after he beat the former undefeated Justin Gaethje at UFC 218. A bout that ended with both men earning ‘Fight of the Night’ honors.
Kevin Lee
Lee (16-3) was another fighter in the 155-pound division who used the chance to call out Diaz.
Put yo money up then @NateDiaz209 Or shut the fuck up and go back to riding bikes around the park https://t.co/g0DrhPY2zR
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) January 24, 2018
Lee’s last appearance in the Octagon was at UFC 216 when he competed for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship against Tony Ferguson. The fight ended when Ferguson locked in a very tight triangle choke. Due to that loss, Diaz perhaps may not have much interest in a fight with Lee.
Diaz is currently ranked #8 in the UFClLightweight rankings, with Lee currently sitting at #7. This could very well be the fight to make, as the other ranked fighters in the division are currently booked or have recently fought. Lee’s outspoken style, as well as his connection’s to the Floyd Mayweather camp may also be a factor in Diaz’s decision on whether or not to accept this fight.
Conor McGregor
McGregor has been relatively quiet after Diaz’s post claiming to return in either May or June. The Irish bad boy has also gone to take quite some time off from fighting in the Octagon. This comes after receiving a massive pay-day, despite losing to Floyd Mayweather in the boxing ring last August.
The UFC has since then decided to book Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov. UFC President Dana White has been very vague on stating whether it is for the interim title or not. The UFC has been known to be relatively flexible with McGregor and if there was ever a time for a trilogy fight between the two, this might be it.
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