Nate Diaz is ready for one more fight before calling it a career.
The former lightweight title challenger is still awaiting the chance to compete again with just a single bout left on his UFC contract but now it appears he’s ready to retire afterwards.
Speaking to TMZ recently, Diaz yet again called for a showdown against Dustin Poirier — a matchup he’s been requesting for several months — but he’s adding a new caveat about that also serving as his final fight as well.
” I would love to challenge Dustin Poirier. Like now,” Diaz said. Like I have been trying. If there’s any mix-up it’s him, and them, and the game.
“I want the fight now. Dana White, what’s the matter? We need to get the retirement fight going so that I can quit this fight. I’m done with it.”
Both Diaz and Poirier have asked the UFC to book the fight but with just one bout left on his deal, it doesn’t appear the promotion is wiling to let the Stockton, Calif. native go so easily.
The UFC had previously attempted to book him in a fight against undefeated prospect Khamzat Chimaev but that matchup never came to fruition.
After originally being scheduled to fight at UFC 230 in HTML1, Diaz now has his eyes set on Poirier. However, the fight was canceled in the weeks before the event when “The Diamond”, who was suffering from a hip injury, forced him out.
Poirier went onto become one of the most dominant fighters in the lightweight division while also claiming an interim title along the way. Most recently, Poirier suffered a third-round submission loss to Charles Oliveira in his second attempt to become the undisputed champion at 155 pounds.
As for Diaz, his last fight took place at UFC 263 where he lost a unanimous decision to welterweight contender Leon Edwards. It was Diaz’s second loss in a row after doctors would not allow him to continue in a fight with Jorge Masvidal due to cuts he suffered during their battle at UFC 244.
At 36, Diaz has plenty of mileage on his body but for the longest time it seemed like he was looking to exit the UFC to potentially pursue lucrative opportunities in the sport of boxing including a possible fight against Jake Paul.
It’s not clear how serious Diaz is about retiring but he’s definitely been locked in negotiations with the UFC for several months as he attempts to book the last fight on his contract.
Diaz is confident that he can handle any and all Poirier’s challenges.
Diaz stated that he didn’t do any sh*t for him. “I’ll tell you that much.”
