Nate Diaz has reportedly turned down a fight with Khamzat Chimaev, leading the UFC to extend his contract in hopes of keeping a trilogy with Conor McGregor alive. Diaz, who had one fight left on his deal, rejected the bout with the surging welterweight contender, insisting he would only fight a top-five opponent.
The Stockton native's refusal means that a third fight with McGregor remains a possibility, with the series currently tied at one win apiece. The promotion had hoped to book Diaz on the UFC 270 pay-per-view in his home state of California, but it remains unclear when he will compete again.
Journalist Ariel Helwani reported that Diaz's contract has been extended but not yet signed. 'Sounds like the UFC is moving on from Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nathan Diaz fight and, as a result, have extended Diaz’s contract,' Helwani wrote. 'I think they knew that would happen and were hoping to buy time for when Conor McGregor is ready to return later this year.'
Diaz was critical of the offer to face Chimaev, who has just four UFC fights. 'They’re coming at me with [Chimaev], and I’m like, “Hold on, don’t disrespect me like that, trying to offer me a fight with a rookie,”' Diaz told TMZ. 'I’m cool, you got four fights in the UFC. Don’t even talk my name. There's levels to this.'
Diaz has not won in over two years, having lost to Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal. Despite six losses in his last ten UFC appearances, he remains one of the promotion's biggest stars, with his rematch against McGregor selling 1.6 million pay-per-view buys.
