What's next for Nate Diaz? UFC title, Conor McGregor trilogy and 3 other options
Nate Diaz is fresh off a majority decision (95-95, 97-93, and 98-92) victory against Jorge Masvidal in their 10-round light heavyweight (175-pound) professional boxing bout. The event, which took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, USA, on July 6, 2024, was the second time the two MMA legends fought each other.
Their first encounter was a welterweight (170-pound) MMA bout at UFC 244 (Nov. 2019). Masvidal defeated Diaz via third-round TKO to win the fight and the inaugural BMF title. With Diaz's victory in their boxing match, they're now tied at one apiece in professional fights.
Today, we examine the potential next options for Nate Diaz, who'll be looking to build on his newfound momentum.
#5 Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal 3
Around the 2:40-minute mark of the post-fight press conference video displayed below, Jorge Masvidal disapproved of the scorecards. He notably emphasized that they're 1-1 against one another in the fight game and he'd like a third encounter, ideally in boxing because he wants to avenge the defeat.
On the other hand, Diaz was asked whether he feels the Masvidal chapter of his career is closed or if they have to clash again. He appeared to keep the door open for a third showdown and stated:
"That's a whole another situation for later. I think we're 1-0 on each other. He got a win in MMA, and I got a win in boxing. So, who knows what's going to happen next with him, but at some point some..."
Nate Diaz exited the UFC in Sept. 2022. Masvidal is contracted with the UFC, but he's asserted that they've permitted him to compete in three boxing matches for Fanmio, one of which was the recently concluded Diaz fight.
Furthermore, Diaz has often expressed interest in returning to the UFC. He could fight Masvidal inside the octagon to end their rivalry once and for all or clash in the boxing ring again.
Check out Diaz's comments below (10:32):
#4 Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz 2
Nate Diaz made his professional boxing debut against YouTuber-cum-boxer Jake Paul in Aug. 2023. Paul, who's considerably younger than him but more experienced in the sport of boxing, dominantly defeated him via unanimous decision. 'The Problem Child' then challenged Diaz to a fight in the sport of MMA under the PFL banner.
A PFL MMA signee, Paul has long been a vocal critic of the UFC, time and again accusing the world's premier MMA organization (UFC) of low fighter pay and underhanded practices. Intriguingly, Jorge Masvidal has claimed that the UFC doesn't want him to box the younger Paul brother and give him any sort of financial benefit, as he's relentlessly levied accusations against the company.
Meanwhile, Paul is expected to eventually make his MMA debut in the PFL. He'd previously claimed that Diaz declined a $15 million payday to face him in an MMA bout in the PFL. Moreover, after beating Masvidal in their boxing match, Diaz warned that he'll fight Paul again.
Well, Paul responded by labeling Diaz "a h*e" and once again accused him of turning down his $15 million PFL offer. Given their respective star powers in the combat and broader pop culture realms, a Paul-Diaz rematch in boxing or perhaps an MMA fight in the PFL would be lucrative for all parties.
#3 Nate Diaz could face Dustin Poirier in their long-awaited grudge match
Nate Diaz went on a hiatus after his two-fight series against Conor McGregor in 2016, after which his much-awaited comeback was set to come against Dustin Poirier. Diaz was expected to fight Poirier in a lightweight (155-pound) bout at UFC 230 (Nov. 2018), but 'The Diamond' withdrew from their fight due to a hip injury. The two fighters have been at odds ever since.
Poirier recently suffered a fifth-round submission defeat against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 (June 2024). The Louisianian hinted at retirement after the loss but clarified that he's unsure and could return. On that note, Poirier recently teased a comeback.
Considering the variables, the time is right for him to be matched up against Nate Diaz. Their much-discussed grudge match would have to be booked at welterweight, as Diaz hasn't fought at lightweight since Dec. 2015.
#2 Nate Diaz could fight for the UFC welterweight title
Reigning UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is scheduled to defend his title in a rematch against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 (July 27, 2024). Their first encounter went down in March 2021 and ended in an NC (No Contest) after an eye poke rendered Muhammad unable to continue.
Prior to Edwards' welterweight title-winning performance in Aug. 2022, he had faced Nate Diaz. The Edwards-Diaz matchup (June 2021) saw the Englishman secure a unanimous decision victory. Nevertheless, many believe Diaz's stock rose even more after that fight, as he badly stunned 'Rocky' and almost finished him in the fifth and final round.
During his in-ring post-fight interview after beating Jorge Masvidal in their boxing match, Nate Diaz called out Jake Paul and Leon Edwards. Additionally, during his post-fight press conference, Diaz indicated that Edwards is the best welterweight in the world right now, alluding that he'd like to face him in a rematch, this time with the UFC welterweight title at stake.
The caveat is that if Belal Muhammad upsets Leon Edwards at UFC 304, a potential Diaz welterweight title shot would place him opposite one of the division's best wrestlers, Muhammad. Diaz has often faced the striker/Jiu-Jitsu ace conundrum of being out-wrestled by superior wrestlers and losing on the scorecards.
A Diaz UFC welterweight championship shot isn't farfetched. Regardless, a possible Muhammad-Diaz matchup wouldn't be as stylistically entertaining to the casual viewers. Also, unlike a possible Edwards-Diaz fight, it won't be adorned with a storied past. Cumulatively, it'd be less appealing for the promotion to book.
#1 Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor 3
Nate Diaz defeated Conor McGregor in a short-notice welterweight bout at UFC 196 (March 2016). On the contrary, their high-profile welterweight rematch ended with McGregor beating Diaz via majority decision at UFC 202 (Aug. 2016). Their rivalry has been paradoxical, marked by relentless trash talk as well as mutual respect.
For years, fight fans have called upon the UFC to book a trilogy fight between them, possibly at welterweight once again. Conor McGregor is still under contract with the UFC and is expected to end his three-year MMA hiatus by fighting Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout sometime this year. 'The Notorious' is currently rehabbing a toe injury that delayed his return.
Earlier this year, McGregor called for the Nate Diaz trilogy fight to take place at the UFC's event at the Las Vegas Sphere in September. Diaz too has consistently maintained that their trilogy would materialize someday. Riding high on his win over Jorge Masvidal in their boxing match, a fight in which McGregor bet $500k on Diaz, this is the time to pull the trigger.
Irrespective of the outcome of the long-awaited McGregor-Chandler bout, McGregor should surely face Diaz in their trilogy match — a fight fans have been clamoring for since their rematch.