Conor McGregor's coach no longer wants Nate Diaz fight for UFC return - EXCLUSIVE
CONOR MCGREGOR’s team aren’t keen on a rubber match with Nate Diaz, at this moment in time.
Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz throw down at UFC 222
Twenty-nine-year-old McGregor hasn't set foot inside the Octagon since his historic UFC 205 victory over Eddie Alvarez, a triumph which saw him become the first fighter in the promotion's history to hold two titles simultaneously.
McGregor's 15-month hiatus was initially down the imminent arrival of his first child, Conor Jr, who was born in May.
It was extended in June when his much-maligned multi-million-pound boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr was announced.
Immediately after losing his professional boxing debut, McGregor revealed his intention to return to the UFC to defend his titles.
It was assumed that the Irishman's first fight back in MMA would see him take part in a trilogy fight with Diaz, the man responsible for his sole UFC loss.
Tony Ferguson briefly moved into pole position to be the man to welcome 'The Notorious' back to the Octagon following his UFC 216 victory over Kevin Lee, which saw him claim the interim lightweight title.
However, the Michigan native must now get past Khabib Nurmagomedov in order to land the biggest payday of his career.
Trailer for Conor McGregor documentary Notorious
Well I’ve been vocal about seeing the Diaz trilogy. But I have to say, over time, my opinion has changed on that.
Ferguson's impressive win over Lee, coupled with Diaz's inactivity, has made many want to see McGregor take part in a lightweight title unification fight, including his head coach John Kavanagh.
"Well I’ve been vocal about seeing the Diaz trilogy," Kavanagh told Express Sport prior to the booking of Ferguson vs Nurmagomedov.
"But I have to say, over time, my opinion has changed on that.
John Kavanagh isn't keen on Conor McGregor fighting Nate Diaz in his comeback bout
"I kind of hoped that maybe Diaz would stay active and do one or two fights in the meantime. He hasn’t, whereas Tony Ferguson has.
"He’s been very busy and has been very vocal and he keeps on winning - and you have to respect that. He keeps on coming through these fights and winning.
"So it has changed from me being most excited about the Diaz trilogy to now I wanna see him and Tony."
Nate Diaz hasn't fought since his UFC 202 bout with Conor McGregor
Ferguson and Nurmagomedov will finally lock horns with one another in the main event of UFC 223, which takes place at the Barclays Center in New York on April 7.
McGregor, 29, hasn’t set foot inside the Octagon since claiming the lightweight title with an emphatic second-round TKO victory over Eddie Alvarez.
Diaz, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since his losing to McGregor 18 months ago.