Nate Diaz

Conor McGregor wouldn't get a championship shot anytime soon if Nate Diaz served as a UFC matchmaker.

McGregor's coach, John Kavanagh, said Monday on Ariel Helwani's MMA Show (via MMA Junkie's Danny Segura) that the Irish star is "already harassing everybody" about setting up a rematch with Dustin Poirier following his loss to Poirier at UFC 257. In addition, McGregor is aiming to have their third encounter include the lightweight title.

Diaz not so politely disagreed with the sentiment:

McGregor is UFC's biggest draw, but it's difficult to argue why he deserves to compete for lightweight gold without pointing to finances or his reputation in the Octagon. The 32-year-old has fought three times since November 2016 and dropped two of those bouts.

The Athletic's Ben Fowlkes wrote how McGregor is "effectively shut out of the UFC lightweight title picture (at least according to any halfway sane application of logic)." He will likely have to prove himself all over again before he has another shot at topping the division.

Conor McGregor has said he wants a third fight with Nate Diaz ahead of making his return at UFC 257 on January 23.

McGregor, who lost to Diaz in March 2016 before winning the rematch five months later, confirmed during an interview with The MacLife published Thursday (via Damon Martin of MMA Fighting) he expects there will eventually be a tiebreaker bout.

"I'd love to compete against Diaz," he said. "We will compete again. If it happens at lightweight for a title, that would be something special also. There's many great options that are in the works and let's see what happens. I am ready."

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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An MMA return for Nate Diaz is in the works.

On Wednesday, UFC President Dana White told Oscar Willis of The Mac Life his plans for the 35-year-old, who last fought at welterweight and took off 2020 from competing.

"We're working on a Nate Diaz fight right now," White said. "It's not Tony [Ferguson] but if we get it done, I think you're gonna like it. Lightweight. It would put him in a really good position if he won the fight, and the guy who he could potentially be fighting, I think it's a great fight for him too." 

There has long been speculation about a matchup between Diaz and Ferguson, but the pair hasn't made it into the ring. 

Diaz, 20-12, hasn't fought as a lightweight since December 2015. He last entered the Octagon in 2019, when he lost by TKO to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244.

His status for that event was in question when he tested positive for a banned substance, but the USADA eventually cleared him to fight. It was revealed that Diaz had ingested a legal supplement that contained traces of Ligandrol, a banned substance that "stimulates muscle growth," per ESPN's Brett Okamoto and Marc Raimondi. 

However, the UFC said in a statement: "There is unequivocally no appreciable performance enhancing or therapeutic benefit from the significantly limited amount of LGD-4033 that may be present in his system, which is roughly 10,000 times lower than one LGD-4033 therapeutic dose."

Before the loss to Masvidal, which came via doctor's stoppage, Diaz defeated Anthony Pettis at UFC 241 in 2019. 

UFC star Nate Diaz attempted to drop some hard truth on Jake Paul, but his efforts fell on deaf ears.

Diaz called Paul a "dumbs--t" after the YouTuber called out Conor McGregor in a profane rant on social media. Paul remained undeterred (warning: tweet contains profanity):

"My team sent you a $50 million offer this morning—50 million dollars cash, proof of funds, the biggest fight offer you've ever been offered," Paul said (h/t TMZ Sports). "But, you're scared to fight me, Conor. You're ducking me because you don't wanna lose to a f--king YouTuber. You're 0-1 as a boxer. I'm 2-0 as a boxer."

Paul also used multiple profanities in reference to UFC president Dana White while making derogatory remarks about McGregor's fiancee, Dee Devlin.

In his response to Diaz, the 23-year-old was referencing his second-round knockout of former NBA star Nate Robinson on Nov. 28. It goes without saying how much more difficult a matchup with an MMA fighter would be.

McGregor isn't a professional boxer, but just ask Jose Aldo about his punching power. The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion has 22 victories, 19 of which have come by knockout or TKO.

Paul is clearly doing what he can to rile up the biggest name in MMA, but it's unclear how effective the strategy will prove. While he'd stand to collect a hefty payday, McGregor would gain little else by agreeing to this fight. The downside is possibly suffering a shocking loss he'd never be able to live down.

As Diaz alluded to, though, Paul is nonetheless writing checks his body might not be able to cash if he finds himself in the ring against a more experienced combat sports athlete than Robinson.

According to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, UFC President Dana White said he is targeting UFC 256 on Dec. 12 for the fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. 

That would put it on the same card as the title fight showdown between Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson.

ESPN's Ariel Helwani noted UFC is also discussing a rematch between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz, although such a fight would not be on the same card Usman vs. Burns. Masvidal and Diaz could square off in January.

Okamoto provided more details, noting Masvidal and Diaz fought in the main event of UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden in November with the former winning via TKO.

However, Diaz protested the stoppage that occurred because of a facial cut.

Masvidal then lost via unanimous decision when he fought Usman for the welterweight championship at UFC 251 in July, although that can partially be attributed to the fact Masvidal stepped in on short notice because Burns, who was supposed to fight Usman, tested positive for COVID-19.

Damon Martin of MMA Fighting noted Usman and Burns will likely fight for the welterweight title when they square off.

It will be a highly anticipated showdown considering Burns is coming off a number of wins, including victories over Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia, while Usman is riding a 12-fight winning streak that includes two title defenses.

Kamaru Usman says there's one reason he and Conor McGregor will never go one-on-one in the Octagon: McGregor is afraid of him.

The reigning UFC welterweight champion says McGregor was "silent" after Usman offered him a prizefight earlier this year.

"[A Conor fight is] just a lost cause because we both know Conor—the only time Conor gets up to the welterweight division is if he's able to pick and choose lightweights with double-digit losses that he can pick off and not have to cut weight to get down to lightweight," Usman told TMZ Sports. 

"If Conor wants a piece at welterweight, he knows who the king of the division is. I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here. I've offered him a shot! I said, 'Hey, if you want it, it's yours; you got it,' and he was silent."

Usman said McGregor would be a "wise guy" to stay retired. Three of McGregor's last five fights have come at welterweight, with him splitting a pair of matches against Nate Diaz and knocking out Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. 

McGregor spent most of his early career at featherweight before moving up to lightweight and making his debut at welterweight in 2016. Usman has been a welterweight his entire career and is one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history, posting an undefeated record in the promotion. It's likely he would be a heavy favorite against McGregor, who would be fighting above his most comfortable weight. 

'Tis the season for shooting your shot in the welterweight division apparently, and both Mike Perry and Geoff Neal called theirs this week in an attempt to book big fights. 

Both 170-pounders fought one another in December when Neal defeated Platinum in the first round. Neal hasn't fought since, but Perry got back on the winning track in a win over Mickey Gall on June 27, with just his girlfriend in his corner and without formally training with a team. 

Perry now has his sights set on much bigger fare. He has made his name as an action fighter who isn't afraid to throw down and put on entertaining bouts. So he took the opportunity to make a case for a fighter with a similar reputation in Nate Diaz.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani of ESPN, the 28-year-old broke down a potential fight between him and one of Stockton's finest. 

"I think he's a skinny, weak, little (expletive), like Mickey Gall,” Perry said (h/t Nolan King of MMA Junkie). "I respect what he's done in this sport. He plays the guard game, jiu-jitsu, and (expletive). He thinks he can box with (those) little weak-ass punches that he's got—little salt and pepper punches. He doesn’t stand a chance to hit me hard enough."

Platinum has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, but actually getting booked for a fight against Diaz would be the biggest coup of his career. Perry's reputation has been built on his aggressive style and entertaining fights, but he's still just 3-5 in his last eight fights. 

Diaz, 35, has been at least semi-retired for a while now. He has only fought twice since his loss to Conor McGregor in August 2016. He was reportedly paid $520,000 for his appearance against Jorge Masvidal in their "BMF" title fight in November. 

The UFC would be unlikely to pay him that kind of money to fight someone of Perry's caliber. Diaz has only come out of "retirement" to fight the likes of Masvidal and Anthony Pettis. So while it's easy to dismiss the notion of this fight, you can't blame Perry for trying to make something happen. 

Geoff Neal Wants Tyron Woodley

While Perry moved on from his loss to Neal and got a win, the man who won that fight is still without an opponent. 

The 29-year-old is in one of those positions that can be difficult to navigate. At a perfect 5-0 in the UFC, he's beginning to prove himself against the lower tiers of the division and is dangerous, but there isn't much in it for the top names to book a fight against him. 

He's No. 10 in the division but doesn't have the name recognition right now to be worth the risk for those ranked ahead of him. The situation is getting frustrating, and he had a few specific names in mind when he spoke to MMA Junkie Radio. 

"I really just want to fight Chiesa because he's been ignoring me," Neal said, in reference to the No. 8-ranked Michael Chiesa. "Like, at first it was just I want to fight him just to fight him, but now I want to fight him because I feel like he's being a (expletive). I want that Chiesa fight just off personal (expletive) because he's acting like I'm invisible to him. I've been calling him out for (expletive) months."

Personal beef with Chiesa aside, Neal also called out a much bigger name: Tyron Woodley. 

"Woodley said something that he's looking for a fight," he added. "I'm down. Hopefully he'll accept that."

The former champion is coming off back-to-back losses as Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns both deflated his stock in the division. For him, fighting someone like Neal would be a step down the rankings but also a step down in quality opponents. 

For Neal, it would obviously be a huge opportunity but also a good test of his skills. He has yet to be taken down in the UFC and Woodley would put that streak to the test. He's far and away the best wrestler Neal would have seen. 

A win over Woodley would launch him into the top tier of the division, so it's easy to see why he would throw his name out there when talking about his future.

Coach Excited About Potential Costa vs. Adesanya Ultimate Fighter

It's been nearly three years since we've seen a season of The Ultimate Fighter and that's probably for the best. After 28 seasons in 13 years, there was definitely TUF fatigue that necessitated some time off. 

There's at least one person who is ready for the show's comeback, though. Paulo Costa's coach, Eric Albarracin, made an appearance on MMA Junkie Radio to talk about his fighter's potential role as a coach opposite Israel Adesanya for a new season of the show that would culminate in the two fighting for Adesanya's middleweight title.

"That's gonna be the greatest 'Ultimate Fighter' in history, if not the greatest middleweight title fight in history," Albarracin said. 

Not only are both fighters elite middleweights at the top of their game but they have also taken some jabs at each other. Adesanya has become known for being especially quick-witted when it comes to his trash-talking game. All of which Albarracin believes will contribute to a great season of the show: 

“He called him Ricky Martin in Australia and I always say, 'Yeah, he looks like Ricky Martin but he hits like Mike Tyson.' I can't wait to see these guys (coach) a whole season. Who's not gonna want to watch that? These guys at each other's throats. By the end of the season, it's gonna be a level-10 type of intensity between those guys."

If the promotion is going to attempt to revive the show, it would be hard-pressed to find a better pairing of coaches. While no announcement has been made that will be the case it's telling that the coach is already making the media rounds and hyping up the possibility. 

Regardless of whether it comes to fruition, a Costa-Adesanya matchup is one of the best fights the UFC can make right now. A TUF buildup would only make that matchup even more tantalizing. 

UFC President Dana White said he has not talked to Nate Diaz during the COVID-19 pandemic and that there are currently no discussions for his next fight.

Brett Okamoto of ESPN updated Diaz's status after Saturday's UFC on ESPN event.

Diaz has not fought since losing to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 in November. While there was some speculation that Diaz was retiring after that fight, he quickly shot it down and said he plans to continue his career.

Clay Guida called Diaz out last week before losing to Bobby Green via unanimous decision Saturday.

"I've said it before, I'll say it again: I'll never back down from this one. Nate Diaz has got it coming to him someday," Guida told reporters. "I beat his ass once, I'll beat his ass again. If he ever toes the line and they stop protecting him, you know my number, Nate, so don't be scared, homie. You know where I'm at, buddy."

Guida has lost three of his last four fights and is 38 years old; it doesn't appear particularly likely White will see any pay-per-view value in a rematch between the two. Guida defeated Diaz all the way back at UFC 94 in January 2009, giving Diaz the first loss of his UFC career.

Diaz told Marc Raimondi of ESPN in January that he was planning to wait a "few months" before looking for a new opponent. He has fought only twice since losing to Conor McGregor at UFC 202 in August 2016.