BREAKING: Nate Diaz – Leon Edwards booked for UFC 262

Tonight we learned that UFC 262 is getting quite the co-main event. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani broke the story tonight that Stockton’s own Nathan Diaz (20-12) is going to be taking on Leon Edwards (18-3, 1 NC) in the co-main event on May 15th.

While the fight is big news in itself, what’s really interesting is the details. Diaz and Edwards will be the co-headliner, but the fight will be five rounds. This is the first non-title and non-main event five round fight in UFC history.

Leon Edwards got his wish in a quick turnaround after his fight with Belal Muhammad. Edwards had been out of the cage for almost two years when he returned to the UFC a few weeks ago.

“Rocky” looked really good in the first round and even rocked Muhammad with a headkick. However, right as the second round started, Edwards accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye.

Muhammad was unable to continue and the fight was ruled a No Contest. Since Edwards took no damage and he had only fought once since July of 2019, he asked the UFC for a quick turnaround. Leon Edwards got his wish.

UFC return for Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz is without question one of the biggest stars in the UFC. However, it’s been a while since we’ve seen him inside the octagon. The last time we saw him was during his BMF title fight with Jorge Masvidal.

That fight at UFC 244 started rough for Diaz, but he was starting to come on as the fight entered the third round. After the third round was over, a ringside doctor called a stop to the action due to a cut over Diaz’s eye.

Since then, we haven’t seen Diaz inside the octagon. The UFC tried setting up a couple of different fights for Diaz last year, but nothing ever materialized. Diaz has wanted to get back in there against a top guy and he’s getting that in Leon Edwards.

Edwards is ranked in the top three at welterweight. If Diaz is able to pull off a victory at UFC 262, it would vault him straight into the title picture at 170 pounds. This is a tremendous co-main event for UFC 262.