Nate Diaz lands shock Dustin Poirier fight at UFC 230 as Conor McGregor closes in on bout
NATE DIAZ’s long hiatus from the Octagon will finally end this November.
Fan-favourite Diaz hasn’t set foot inside the cage since fighting in the main event of UFC 202 in August 2016.
For awhile, Diaz, 33, was more than content to sit on the sidelines and enjoy the fruits of his labour from that night at the T-Mobile Arena, which landed him a cool £1.7m payday.
The youngest Diaz brother recently got the itch to fight again a few months ago and approached the UFC brass with an opponent in mind, though he didn't end up getting the fight he wanted.
However, that’s now changed as the Stockton native will face the in-form Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC 230, which takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 3.
The news of Diaz’s comeback fight was first reported by Lance Pugmire of the LA Times and has since been confirmed by Express Sport.
Diaz’s showdown with Poirier will be his first since losing his UFC 202 bout to Conor McGregor, who himself is closing in on a return to the cage.
Ireland’s first UFC belt holder is currently in negotiations to fight his successor at the summit of the lightweight division, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nate Diaz a Surprise Guest at Conor McGregor's Party - UFC
Nate Dia will face the in-form Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC 230
Talks are understood to be at an advanced stage but have seemingly hit a roadblock as Nurmagomedov wants to be given a bumper new deal before putting pen to paper.
“Interesting situation, if they want to make money fight, they have to pay me too,” the undefeated Dagestani told freelance reporter Adam Glyn.
“I’m not going to give them a chance to use my name and have Conor make money and the UFC make money and I make $200,000. No way.
“If they want me to fight like my current contract, I can fight. But okay give me (Dustin) Poirier. I’m going to follow my contract.
“But if they want to use my name and use me to make money, Conor and the UFC, no way.”
A fired-up Nurmagomedov added: “They want to use me? I’m the undefeated, undisputed UFC lightweight champion. I don’t need him. He need me.
“He’s like 2-2 (in his last four fights). He don’t fight (MMA) two years.
“He don’t deserve this type of shot. Dustin Poirier is (in line). He deserve this.
“If they want to use me and make a lot of millions, use my name, no way. They want a money fight? Please pay me.”