Conor McGregor to face Nate Diaz next? Dana White has already ruled out trilogy fight
CONOR MCGREGOR's next fight is unlikely to be a rubber match with Nate Diaz, UFC president Dana White has insisted.
McGregor and Nate Diaz fight will 'never' happen says Dana White
Conor McGregor and Diaz took part in two of the most memorable fights in recent UFC history in 2016.
Diaz won the pair’s first encounter at UFC 196, recording a second-round submission victory after accepting the fight on 11 days notice.
McGregor avenged his first Octagon loss a few months later at UFC 202, winning a closely-contested bout via majority decision.
The former UFC lightweight champion recently expressed his interest in settling the score with Stockton native Diaz last weekend.
So what’s the likelihood of a rubber match between the pair coming together in the near future?
According to White, not very likely.
“No,” White said during a recent appearance on ESPN when asked if he thought McGregor vs Diaz 3 will happen soon. “That’s more of a never. The Diaz brothers don't want to fight, so.”
Diaz, 33, hasn’t set foot inside the Octagon since his UFC 202 loss to McGregor, a defeat he still contests to this day.
That’s more of a never
His elder brother Nick hasn’t fought since his UFC 183 bout with Anderson Silva - which took place four years ago - and has shown little sign of returning to action anytime soon.
McGregor is looking to get back into title contention this year following his UFC 229 loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, his successor at the summit of the lightweight division.
He’s currently serving a six-month suspension for his part in the brawl which followed his submission loss to the Russian and will be eligible to return to action from April 6 onwards.
Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is keen to welcome the Irishman back to the cage and White has already given the fight his blessing.
“I’d like to see Conor fight in the summer,” White recently told MMA Junkie. “Those two want to fight each other; they’ve both earned it.
“‘Cowboy’s’ fought anybody we’ve ever put against him.
“We throw this young killer Hernandez at him, ‘Cowboy’s’ the underdog and he goes in and does it the way he did it, then Conor’s fought everybody.
“If these two want to fight, I’m down.”