Nate Diaz has openly discussed his decision to decline the opportunity to be Conor McGregor’s comeback opponent in the UFC. Speaking ahead of his fight against Mike Perry under the MVP banner, Diaz explained that the UFC wanted to insert him directly into their plans for McGregor’s long-awaited return. However, Diaz was not interested in facing McGregor under those specific circumstances.
Diaz had been in negotiations for a UFC return after his departure from the roster in 2022. Ultimately, he opted to remain outside the organization, pursuing boxing and fighting under his own banner instead.
Nate Diaz’s Reasoning for Refusing the McGregor Comeback Fight
In a media interview, Diaz articulated his perspective clearly. He stated that he did not wish to be used as the “B-side” in a narrative focused on rehabilitating his old rival’s career. Diaz expressed his desire to see McGregor first re-establish himself and prove his capabilities before a potential trilogy fight. As he put it:
“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 comments come amid renewed speculation about McGregor’s return to the octagon. UFC President Dana White has indicated that McGregor is expected to compete this summer, with potential dates including the International Fight Week card in July or UFC 329. McGregor has not fought since July 2021, when he broke his leg during his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. At 37, he is reportedly being strategic about his comeback after numerous delays and public discussions regarding potential opponents.
In contrast, Diaz has remained actively engaged in competition. Following his submission win over McGregor at UFC 196 and his subsequent loss in the rematch at UFC 202, Diaz concluded his initial UFC tenure with a victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022 before exploring free agency. Since then, he has headlined a boxing match against Jake Paul in August 2023 and is now featured in the MVP MMA event against former BKFC champion Mike Perry, with the fight being streamed globally on Netflix. This demonstrates Diaz’s ability to command leverage and visibility outside the UFC’s established structure.
Considering this context, Diaz’s refusal to serve as McGregor’s comeback opponent aligns with the long-standing dynamic between the two fighters. Diaz still desires a third fight, but only on terms where McGregor has already demonstrated his form against other opponents. This would ensure their trilogy feels like a clash between two active and successful fighters, rather than a tune-up bout for a star returning from a significant layoff.
