For about a year now, we’ve been waiting on word regarding Nate Diaz‘s next fight with the UFC. Diaz fought Leon Edwards last June and had an entertaining fight that he lost by decision. Despite losing, Diaz still had the highlight of the fight.
In the fifth round, Diaz hurt Edwards badly and seemingly was moments away from finishing the fight. However, Edwards survived to hear the judges scorecards read and hear his name called for a decision.
Since then, there’s been a lot of drama with Diaz and the UFC. Diaz has one fight left on his current contract. Originally, the UFC wanted Diaz to fight Khamzat Chimaev and that was a fight that Diaz declined. It made no sense for Diaz to take that fight.
In his contract if he declines a formal fight offer, the UFC gets to extend the time commitment of his contract. It’s a way that the promotion protects itself from fighters sitting out and turning down fights. Since January, there’s been a lot of heat regarding a fight with Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz.
It’s a fight that Diaz and Poirier want. However, the UFC has failed to put it together due to Diaz’s contract. The rumor mill has speculated that the promotion would only give in to that fight if Diaz were to sign an extension.
UFC release or fight announcement imminent?
We’ve been watching both sides play hardball throughout 2022. However, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel for Nate Diaz. Diaz posted on Twitter last night that he wanted a fight immediately or his UFC release to go box Jake Paul.
Dana White spoke to The Mac Life today and for the first time, it sounded like he was open to Diaz’s request. White said they would work on getting Diaz a fight, but he also went on to say, “Nate Diaz probably should go on and fight Jake Paul. That’s a fight that makes sense.”
Jake Paul has already responded saying he would love for this fight to happen. Paul has been calling for a boxing match with Diaz for some time. Given Diaz’s contract with the UFC, it didn’t seem like it had any serious legs.
However, it may be a possibility now. Something tells me that Diaz will still get one more UFC fight. Not sure on the opponent, but I think they give him one more fight and then he walks to the boxing ring to take on Jake Paul by the end of the year.