If Michael Chandler is willing, Nate Diaz is ready to accept.
As he awaits the opportunity to fulfill his contractual obligations to the UFC with one bout remaining on his current deal, Diaz has targeted UFC 277 on July 30 as the date he would like to compete.
After rumors surfaced that the promotion wanted to book him against Khamzat Chimaev on that date, Diaz claimed the undefeated Chechen was unable to compete in July and now he’s turned his attention to a potential fight against Chandler instead.
“UFC got me on ice for a year now,” Diaz wrote on Twitter. “Chandler’s obviously ready to fight. It’s time .”
to send a contract.
UFC got me on ice for a year now chandlers obviously ready to fight send a contract it’s time pic.twitter.com/YJBWEu790F
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) May 10, 2022
Diaz and the UFC have been engaged in contentious negotiations over the final fight. The one-time title contender tried to arrange a showdown with Dustin Poirier multiple times. The UFC refused to grant Diaz a fight against Poirier, a request that was repeated repeatedly.
Instead, the UFC wanted Diaz to fight Chimaev. Gilbert Burns was just dispatched in the UFC’s Fight of the Year contender when they met back in March.
After posting that he was targeting a welterweight fight at UFC 277 for the final bout on his deal, Chandler responded by saying “I’m there, quick turnaround, spin your head on its axis.”
I’m there. Turn quickly. Turn your head quickly. @natediaz209 https://t.co/43AJiZtmlx
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) May 9, 2022
Chandler is still days away from his amazing second round knockout of Tony Ferguson. He planted a front kick on Ferguson’s chin, sending him face-first to the ground.
Following the fight, Chandler called for a title shot against Charles Oliveira but also mentioned his interest in facing Conor McGregor after he returns from the broken leg he suffered in his last outing in January 2021.
Once Diaz became another possible option, Chandler took aim at him as well.
“Hey Nate Diaz …shut up and stop complaining,” Chandler wrote. “Keep your mouth shut. Your daddy will book a fight to ensure that your sacrifice dome is bounced back off the canvas. Keep your mouth shut. If you are lucky, it might be me. See you at the top!”
Hey @natediaz209 …shut up and stop complaining. Keep your mouth shut. Your daddy will book a fight to ensure that your sacrifice dome is bounced back off the canvas. If you are lucky, it might be me. We’ll see you up there!
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) May 9, 2022
It remains to be seen if the UFC will actually book the fight but Diaz is obviously interested in Chandler is game to meet him at welterweight in July.
