Nate Diaz is gearing up for a thrilling comeback to the UFC after a lengthy break, with plans to take on an emerging talent in the lightweight division. His last UFC appearance was in 2022, where he secured a submission victory over Tony Ferguson in the final fight of his contract. Since then, Diaz ventured into boxing, notably losing a decision to Jake Paul in 2023 and fighting Jorge Masvidal in a rematch last July. Now, the Stockton MMA icon aims to return to the Octagon and climb to the top of the lightweight ranks.
At 40 years old, Diaz still enjoys a solid relationship with the UFC and President Dana White, leaving the door open for a potential return. Although a bout with former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier was anticipated, it never came to fruition. Recently, Diaz expressed his interest in making a sensational comeback fight against popular British fighter Paddy Pimblett, who is set to clash with Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 following Ilia Topuria’s temporary withdrawal.
When asked about his next opponent, Diaz stated, “I-I’m looking at Pimblett. Probably Pimblett.” However, given Pimblett’s upcoming title fight, it seems unlikely that Diaz would face him as an interim title challenger. Despite Diaz’s popularity, some fans have criticized his desire to fight Pimblett. Comments ranged from calling Diaz unrealistic to labeling the interim title bout as delusional. Diaz’s recent UFC record stands at 2-2, with losses to Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal, and some fans urged him to stay grounded.
Fan Take: Nate Diaz’s rumored return and his target of a high-profile fight with Paddy Pimblett excites the MMA community, as it promises a clash of seasoned skill against rising talent. This comeback could reignite interest in the lightweight division and shake up UFC rankings, bringing fresh narratives and thrilling matchups to the sport.
