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Nate Diaz Reveals Why He Turned Down Fight Against Khabib Nurmagomedov

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 1:23 AM ET

When it comes to Nate Diaz, there’s always a method to the madness — even if it doesn’t look that way at first. The Stockton star has never been the type to chase shiny records or undefeated hype trains. For him, the only box that matters is whether his opponent has been around the UFC long enough to prove they belong in the deep end.

That’s why, back in the day, when the promotion tried lining him up against a fresh-faced Khabib Nurmagomedov, who had just one UFC fig ht under his belt, Diaz wasn’t having any of it. His response to the UFC? Let’s just say it was short, not sweet, and very on brand.

In a recent live stream with Sneako, Diaz revealed why he turned down multiple offers to face Khabib Nurmagomedov.

He said, “He was saying he turned down fights with me. I was like ‘Bro I didn’t even know who you were’. They offered me fight against Khabib when he was brand (expletive) new. I fought for the title, and I fought other people already. I was like (expletive) you. You’re going to make a name off me with some new guy? Give me someone in the top (expletive) five.”

‼️Nate Diaz on why he turned down the Khabib fight

via @sneako pic.twitter.com/KPBClt3LX3
— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) August 21, 2025

In the clip, Diaz explained that the UFC came to him with the Khabib fight right after he’d gone five rounds for the lightweight title against Benson Henderson in December 2012.

Meanwhile, Khabib was still just getting started in the promotion; he debuted with a win in January 2012 and followed it up with another that July. So when the offer landed on Diaz’s table, it was basically: fresh off a title fight, now go face some new guy with only two UFC wins and probably not even ranked yet. No wonder Nate wasn’t exactly jumping at the chance.

Nate Diaz Says There Is No One to Fight

Nate Diaz isn’t done chasing big fights and at the top of his list is none other than Conor McGregor. Nearly ten years after their unforgettable first clash at UFC 196, where Diaz shocked the world and dropped his famous “I’m not surprised, (expletive) line, the Stockton legend wants to s ettle the score one last time. Their rematch months later went McGregor’s way, and ever since, fans have been clamoring for a trilogy.

Speaking on Out Cold last month, Diaz made it clear who he’s after. “If I could fight anybody right now, it’d be Conor McGregor,” he said. He also admitted he’d like to see Conor back in form before they meet again, but the rivalry clearly still fires him up.

Diaz hasn’t fought in MMA since 2022, instead testing himself in boxing against Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal. If McGregor doesn’t happen, Diaz has other names in mind Ilia Topuria in MMA, or Canelo and Terence Crawford in boxing. Unfortunately for Diaz, none of these seem likely to happen.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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