Michael Bisping believes we haven’t seen the last of Nate Diaz in the UFC.
On Saturday, Diaz rode off into the UFC sunset, submitting Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 279. Following his win, Diaz declared his intention to exit the UFC to “take over another profession and become the best at that,” a reference to boxing, specifically a long-hypothesized bout between Diaz and Jake Paul. While Bisping is aware of the potential financial value of this particular fight, the UFC Hall of Famer believes that Diaz will make more money if he stays with the promotion.
“I think he gave an excellent speech and I thought Joe Rogan did the interview very well,” Bisping stated on his YouTube channel .. He’s not talking about boxing. Diaz, a worldwide superstar and an incredible mixed martial artist, is the truth. He can also compete in jiujitsu and kickboxing. But you may even catch him performing bare-knuckle boxing. Diaz will go where it pays him the most. The truth is that Diaz has very few opportunities outside the company to make the same amount of money.
“The big event, the most talked about, is the boxing Jake Paul. That’s a one-off event, and who knows? However, it is not certain to be a blockbuster. Most likely. It is likely. Diaz is drawn, Jake Paul draws, so that fight will get lots of attention, but it would only be one fight. Diaz is 37 years old. He is losing his window of opportunity. But what’s the point? Maybe one big fight with Jake Paul. There’s not a lot of opportunity to earn blockbuster paydays, one after the other, after the other, like he does with the UFC.”
There’s another possible superfight in the future for Diaz, outside of a Jake Paul match with boxers: Conor McGregor’s tri-fight. Talk of a third fight between the two has been ever-present since McGregor won their rematch at UFC 202, and McGregor even recently avered that a third fight will happen at some point. Many speculate that McGregor and Diaz will be fighting outside the UFC. This would give them both the opportunity to share the profits. But Bisping believes that McGregor is likely to re-sign with the UFC, meaning that once he’s done boxing, he expects Diaz to return to the promotion as well.
“So that fight will probably happen, he’ll make some money, and then what?” Bisping said. “Bellator? One FC? Bare knuckle boxing? He is his own promoter? His own promotion? Them two fight each other, that’s a blockbuster fight, and then they get to split the pot 50/50, they make all the money. Conor McGregor is currently under contract to the UFC. Although I do not know his status, he is under contract with the UFC. They will likely offer Conor another fantastic contract as Conor draws in the most people of any fighter. So what I’m saying is that fight probably won’t materialize anytime soon, and we’ll probably see Nate Diaz potentially re-sign with the UFC. That would not surprise me.”
Diaz himself might not be surprised either. During his post-fight speech the superstar even allowed for such a possibility, saying that after he is done with boxing he intends to “be right the f*** back here to get a motherf****** UFC title. This is the best title in the world .”
TOP STORIES
Results. Nate Diaz exits the UFC on a high note, submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279.
Exit. Nate Diaz trashes ‘lame, scared, boring rookie’ Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 279, responds to Conor McGregor.
Business. Dana White reacts when Nate Diaz leaves UFC.
Borz. Khamzat Chimaev on Nate Diaz after UFC 279: ‘If I fought him, I would kill him’.
Promotion. Dana White calls Khamzat Chimaev ‘f****** freak of nature’ after UFC 279 win, but recommends middleweight move.
Tragedy. Former UFC fighter Elias Theodorou dies from cancer at 34.
Reaction. The MMA world mourns Theodorou’s passing.
VIDEO STEW
UFC 279 Post Show.
UFC 279 Post-Fight Press Conference Stream.
Israel Adesanya UFC 279 reaction.
Aljamain Sterling UFC 279 Vlog.
Paddy Pimblett in training with the Marines.
LISTEN UP
On to the Next One. Matches to make following UFC 279.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Chimaev.
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) September 11, 2022
Chael Sonnen.
The baddest dude in the world, trying to prove a point, will win the crown at the heaviest weight that he can, not at the lightest.
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) September 11, 2022
Nobody has ever cut weight for competition, they cut weight to avoid competition.
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) September 11, 2022
Johnny Walker.
May nothing spoil the positive energy of this day and may your happiness be constant. Have a great Sunday!! pic.twitter.com/7MAp3QyP4A
— Johnny Walker (@JohnnyWalker) September 12, 2022
Jake Shields, and Paulo Costa.
taught my brother @BorrachinhaMMA west side sign so he can represent the 209 pic.twitter.com/XoH1rR3NwP
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) September 12, 2022
Marc Goddard.
Las Vegas. You delivered, once again! An honour & privilege. This wonderful sport continues to be a blessing. When I stopped the fight last night after Nate’s Guillotine the time on the clock ……2:09! #fortune #GodBlessAmerica pic.twitter.com/gZBj8k3IK0
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) September 11, 2022
Henry Cejudo perhaps abandoning his featherweight pipe dream?
I think @funkmasterMMA could beat TJ Dillashaw with the right gameplan. These are my only suggestions for him. (nice to see you too @MerabDvalishvil)
: https://t.co/y8PTFUMaBf pic.twitter.com/srgFaBISYh
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 11, 2022
Those ears.
November 12th NYC pic.twitter.com/Yk21JAY3MF
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 11, 2022
Valentina Shevchenko.
8 UFC flyweight title fights 7 title defense Ready for the next one ! pic.twitter.com/d7K5tdNXxX
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) September 11, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading! See y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
