Ahead of his upcoming boxing match against Mike Perry under the MVP banner, Nate Diaz revealed why he rejected the chance to be Conor McGregor’s opponent for the latter’s UFC comeback. Diaz stated that the UFC intended to integrate him into their plans for McGregor’s return, but he found the proposed matchup unappealing under those conditions. After concluding his UFC contract in 2022, Diaz had been in discussions about rejoining the promotion. However, he ultimately opted to pursue opportunities outside the UFC, including boxing and fighting under his own promotion.
Nate Diaz Explains His Reasoning for Declining McGregor’s Return Fight
In a recent interview, Diaz clearly articulated his perspective, expressing that he did not wish to be utilized as the ‘B-side’ in a narrative aimed at rehabilitating his former rival’s career. He elaborated:
“I know that [the UFC] wanted the Conor fight right now… and I’m like, I’m not trying to be a comeback story for Conor. I want Conor back, and then I want him to be fucking showing people he’s whipping ass. Then that’s the guy I want. I don’t wanna be fighting a guy that they don’t know about, because I know he’s gonna come back and do good. I don’t need him to do it on me.”
These statements emerge amidst renewed speculation about McGregor’s return to fighting. UFC President Dana White has indicated that McGregor is expected to compete this summer, with potential appearances at International Fight Week in July or UFC 329 being considered. McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. At 37 years old, he is carefully planning his comeback after numerous delays and public disagreements regarding potential opponents.
In contrast, Diaz has remained active. Following his submission victory over McGregor at UFC 196 and his loss in the rematch at UFC 202, he concluded his initial UFC tenure with a win against Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022 before entering free agency. Since then, he has headlined a boxing match against Jake Paul in August 2023 and is now set to headline the MVP MMA event against former BKFC champion Mike Perry, with the bout being streamed globally on Netflix. This path has provided him with significant leverage and visibility independent of the UFC.
Within this context, Diaz’s refusal to serve as McGregor’s comeback opponent aligns with their long-standing rivalry. Diaz still desires a third fight against McGregor, but only on terms where McGregor has first demonstrated his capabilities against other opponents. This approach would position their trilogy fight as a clash between two active and victorious fighters, rather than a mere tune-up bout for a star returning from a layoff.