Nate Diaz has confirmed he was close to returning to the UFC but turned down a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor, insisting he does not want to be part of the Irishman's comeback story. The 40-year-old, who submitted McGregor in 2016 before losing a decision in their rematch, has instead signed with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions and will face Mike Perry on Saturday night.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Diaz said: 'One hundred percent I did [consider going back to UFC]. I was pretty close because they've always been great since I left too. And wheels were spinning just for an MMA fight, an MMA return. And I know that they wanted the Conor fight right now and that's not what I'm [about]. I'm like, I'm not trying to be a comeback story for Conor.'
McGregor has not fought since losing to Dustin Poirier in 2021 but is expected to return this summer. UFC president Dana White expressed confidence in the Dubliner's comeback, stating: 'We're in a great place with Conor. I'm extremely confident that will Conor will fight this year. He'll fight this summer.'
Max Holloway, who lost to McGregor in 2013, has emerged as a potential opponent for the former two-division champion. Holloway said: 'We have history. If somebody's got one over me, I want to get him back. It's a huge fight. I would just like to get one back.'
