Nate Diaz sends defiant message to UFC, seemingly prolongs return date
NATE DIAZ has once again claimed he doesn't need the UFC.
Nate Diaz points to Conor McGregor during their UFC 202 rematch
The youngest Diaz brother hasn't set foot inside the cage since his closely-contested UFC 202 bout with Conor McGregor, which he lost via majority decision.
Nearly two years have passed since that war at the T-Mobile Arena, and Diaz has shown little sign of returning to action anytime soon.
His lengthy hiatus has led many to believe he's holding out for a big payday from the UFC, something he believes he's entitled to.
But according to the man himself, he's more than content to sit on the sidelines.
When asked if he wanted a big paycheque from his employers, Diaz told TMZ: “Gettin’ paid regardless.”
Diaz's comments echo those he made a little less than a year ago during an interview with MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani, in which he revealed he turned down a fight with former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson.
"I can’t speak for him," the one-time UFC lightweight title contender said when discussing his brother’s future.“But Nick is the man. Nick will blow your mind.
TENSE weigh in between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz
Gettin' paid regardless
"I think if Nick is gonna do anything, it’s gotta be big. We don’t need to do this."
Diaz’s time on the sidelines has irked his legion of fans, who are desperate to see the Stockton native have a rubber match with McGregor.
According to UFC president Dana White, the 33-year-old’s time away from the Octagon is entirely his own doing.
Nate Diaz hasn't set foot inside the Octagon since his UFC 202 rematch with Conor McGregor
“We've offered Nate Diaz five or six fights over the last several months and he's turned them all down,” White said during an appearance on UFC Tonight.
“I’ve said many times that I don't see Nate Diaz fighting. Will he fight this year? Maybe he'll come out and say he wants to fight eventually.
“But no. He's turned down every fight we've offered him.”
According to Dana White, Nate Diaz's hiatus is completely of his own doing
"I don't give a f**k what he does.
"I'm sure he's up and down. 'Do I want to be in these lights? Why am I not in these lights?
"'I need to get in the lights. I need to get out of the lights.' It's a crazy roller coaster."