Nate Diaz hasn’t let go of the Conor McGregor trilogy. Nearly a decade since they first crossed paths, Stockton’s finest wants one more shot at the Irishman.
Diaz skyrocketed into superstardom after submitting McGregor on short notice at UFC 196 in 2016. That win gave birth to his iconic “I’m not surprised, motherf*ckers” moment. Five months later, McGregor edged out a majority decision in their rematch, and ever since, a trilogy has lingered as unfinished business between the two.
“If I could fight anybody right now, I would fight, with all due respect to them, if Conor McGregor came back. Shit, Conor McGregor,” Diaz said on Out Cold. “There ain’t nobody else to fight, really, right now. I would like for him to come back and impress everybody first. Not that he needs to, but it would be great to see him back. Everybody’s hating on him. I’d like to beat up somebody on top of the world, and I think he’s got the capability to do that.”
McGregor hasn’t fought since his TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He was scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 but withdrew before fight night. Diaz, on the other hand, last competed in MMA in 2022 when he tapped out Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Since leaving the UFC, Diaz has stepped into the boxing ring twice, first losing a decision to Jake Paul, then bouncing back with a majority decision win over Jorge Masvidal in 2024.
Even if the trilogy with McGregor doesn’t materialize, Diaz isn’t short on options. He’s open to fighting rising UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, though he admits the size difference might be a factor.
“Then that little Ilia Topuria, he’s doing a really good job,” Diaz said. “He’s a little small for me, but those two are probably the best fights.
And then on the boxing side, obviously Canelo or Crawford. I ain’t asking for nothing, but when I whoop someone’s ass, I’m gonna get them motherf*ckers, too. With all do respect. So that’s my plan.”
At 21-13 as a pro, Nate Diaz remains one of the sport’s most respected and unpredictable veterans. Whether it’s McGregor, Topuria, or a massive boxing showdown with the likes of Canelo Alvarez or Terence Crawford, Diaz is making it clear, he’s not done yet.
