It seems that Chael Sonnen is looking to do his part in making a boxing match of Nate Diaz vs Jake Paul a reality.
Headlines were made recently it was confirmed that UFC star Nate Diaz only has one fight left on his contract. And it seems like the 36-year-old is planning to fight out his deal and test his value on the open market. However, who that possible last opponent in the UFC could be has been the source of much debate in the MMA community.
Last week, Diaz (20-13) seemed to confirm in a tweet that he was open to a fight with third-ranked welterweight Vicente Luque (21-7-1), but that the Brazilian was the hold up in getting a fight booked. He then tweeted a picture of Tony Ferguson (25-6), which got fight fans in a frenzy over the possibility of a dream booking between the Stockton bad boy and the former lightweight champion.
Chael Sonnen reveals matchmaking text chat with Nate Diaz
In a new post on his personal YouTube page, two-time middleweight title challenger Sonnen revealed that Diaz recently texted him asking for his advice on what he should do next. During their digital chat, Diaz allegedly confirmed his preference to fight Luque because of his ranking. However, Sonnen suggested the matchup may not be strategically smart if the plan is to finish out his current deal.
“Hey look, that’s a tough night out. Luque’s a tough night out for anybody. Ask the last seven guys. Five of them I don’t believe made it the distance,” Sonnen said. “Like any fighter, you want the biggest bang for the littlest effort. Very hard philosophy to fulfill because this sport is so difficult but that’s still what you’re looking to do. That is not Luque. Why take the risk if we don’t want his spot. This is the question if you’re just looking to fulfill your contract.”
Instead, Sonnen suggested a matchup with retired UFC veteran Paul Felder (17-6). A man who has suggested a return to the Octagon is possible, and someone Sonnen felt checked off all the boxes of less risk for a possible “big last send-off” fight. Diaz took his choice under advisement, slept on it, and responded the next day that he wanted a fight with Ferguson more.
Sonnen makes his case for a Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz fight sooner than later
At this point, Sonnen speculated that maybe Diaz had a fight with Jake Paul (4-0) in boxing as a top option once his UFC obligations were fulfilled. It’s an idea he believes is a priority for Paul as well. So he contacted the YouTuber turned boxer and asked if that was his hope at some point soon. Here was the 24-year-olds response, admittedly paraphrased by Sonnen.
“I went to Jake. ‘Here’s what I think, do I have it right?’ Jake said, ‘Yea, you got it right.’ Jake said that’s the fight. ‘I’m tired of fighting these old guys, I’m tired of not getting my credit when I go whip some studs ass. I want an active busy guy that everyone knows. That’s a hard night out and nobody can take it from me.’ I’m changing Jake’s words. But I’m very close and I do know what his meaning was,” said Sonnen.
With that in mind, the West Linn native campaigned for a fight between Diaz and Paul in boxing. Suggesting that Diaz’s representatives should have a conversation with UFC President Dana White about it. Since White has long suggested jumping back into boxing promotion, and it would be a win for all in a massively bankable fight that is better to not wait on.
“The worst kept secret in combat is that Dana White likes boxing. That is the single worst-kept secret, that Dana would like to do something with boxing. It seems as though there should at least be the conversation of do I need to exhaust my contract and fulfill my obligation to you? Not attempt to hide what I would like to do, or could we do this together?” Sonnen suggested from the perspective of Diaz.
“I owe you one, but the time is now for this other thing. Is my word good, I’ve been here ten years. Because if you let me do this other thing, I’ll come back and do this one for you. And we can even go do this thing together. If that conversation doesn’t happen, even if it falls on its face, it will bother me on an ethical level.
Is Uncle Chael on to something, and the UFC should jump in head first to co-promote a Diaz vs Paul fight with Showtime?
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