Nate Diaz is optimistic that he will face Conor McGregor in a trilogy.
Diaz has not fought in the UFC since his win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in 2022. Since then, Diaz has been competing in boxing. He made his debut last August against Jake Paul. Diaz lost a unanimous decision. A rematch in MMA under the PFL was mentioned. However, Diaz failed to take up Paul’s $10 million offer. He is now facing Jorge Masvidal in a boxing bout on June 1. It is a rerun of their UFC 244 clash in 2019.
Masvidal won the fight after it was stopped by the New York State Athletic Commission due to a cut over Diaz’s right eye at the end of the third round. Masvidal won the BMF belt. While the focus is on Masvidal, Diaz is looking ahead to a UFC return against McGregor. Their first fight was at UFC 196 in 2016. Diaz won by submission, causing a big shock. The rematch occurred the same year, with McGregor winning a majority decision. Diaz is not under a UFC contract, making it possible to make a return. He also had eyes on Jake Paul and a Leon Edwards rematch.
Diaz Reacts
“I 100 percent guarantee I’m going to fight Conor McGregor again. I 100 percent guarantee that I’m probably going to fight Jake Paul again, this…(Jorge Masvidal) again, and Leon Edwards again. That’s my hit list,” Diaz said
Kayla Harrison is willing to take an interim fight for her next bout elsewhere.
The news comes after Harrison made a successful UFC debut, beating Holly Holm at UFC 300. There were worries before the fight due to the weight class. Harrison was fighting at bantamweight for the first time in her career. Before joining the UFC, she had fought mostly at 155 pounds in the PFL. The lowest weight class she had made was featherweight.
Harrison’s Future
Harrison made weight, later admitting that he had to remain disciplined. Her win over Holm has put her closer to a title shot. Amanda Nunes, the former UFC Bantamweight Champion, was mentioned as the next opponent. There are reports that Nunes is considering coming out of retirement. The current bantamweight champion is Raquel Pennington. Reports stress that Pennington could be injured, leaving Harrison to face Julianna Pena for an interim title bout. That could then set up the narrative for a Nunes fight if the results play out that way.
“I heard that ‘Rocky’s’ hurt all of the sudden, so if she can’t fight right now, I’m happy to fight whoever this summer for a title. Why not just an interim title? Then I’ll unify it. Then I’ll fight Amanda (Nunes). If it’s for a title, I will make myself available. I would love (UFC 303)…My time is now. I like the sound of that (Harrison vs. Pena). There would be some good…talking from me,” Harrison stated
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