UFC star Nate Diaz has one fight left on his existing contract and is planning on testing his value on the free-agent open market. Leaving many to wonder who should Nate Diaz fight in his possible UFC swan song.
Following UFC Vegas 41, UFC president Dana White confirmed the contractual status of one of his most beloved talents.
The four options for Nate Diaz’s next fight
“He’s got one more fight. We’re working on a fight for him. Tony [Ferguson] wasn’t one of the guys we’re working on, but we’re working on a fight for Nate now. He’s got one fight left,” White said.
A matchup with form interim lightweight champion Ferguson (25-6) is one all involved — including fans — have expressed interest in seeing happen. Diaz (20-13) sparked the conversation by tweeting an image of Ferguson on October 22. “El Cucuy” responded in kind, quote-retweeting Diaz’s post with a message that included an allusion to the fight taking place at 170 pounds.
However, White seems to have other options in mind for what could be Diaz’s final UFC appearance. Diaz has been linked to Brazilian finisher Vicente Luque (21-7-1) for some time. Luque has won four straight fights by finish over notable opponents, including Tyron Woodley and Michael Chiesa. And the top-five welterweight has publicly pushed for the matchup for some time. Even after his win over Chiesa in August.
A more recent option emerged following last week’s UFC 267 when emerging Chechen star Khamzat Chimaev moved to 4-0 in the Octagon and called for about with the Californian. White voiced his approval of the idea just days later when asked about a possible Chimaev vs Diaz booking by TMZ Sports.
“We’re going to talk to Nate about it,” White said. “One hundred percent ([I’m interested in making that fight].”
Of course, a trilogy bout with injured former two-division king Conor McGregor (22-6) remains an option and a lucrative one at that. Following the Irishman’s second consecutive loss to Dustin Poirier in July, the time may be right to revisit one of the promotion’s most captivating rivalries. That is, once McGregor heals from the fractured leg he suffered in his matchup with “Diamond.”
Breaking down the likelihood of bouts with Vicente Luque, Khamzat Chimaev, Tony Ferguson, and Conor McGregor
- Nate Diaz vs Vicente Luque: Diaz’s apparent move to welterweight has seen him take on a veritable top-five opponent in Leon Edwards, so it isn’t too much of a stretch to imagine him against Luque next. 60% chance
- Nate Diaz vs Tony Ferguson: Given that both Diaz and Ferguson have voiced interest in this booking, fans’ reception of the idea, and where both men are in their respective careers, this could be a fitting matchup for Diaz’s last fight on his contract. 50% chance
- Nate Diaz vs Khamzat Chimaev: Chimaev is an absolute star, and the UFC strategy of solidifying a prospect’s status and hype by pitting them against an established name could be a viable blueprint for Diaz’s last fight on his contract. With White interested, don’t discount this option. 70% chance
- Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor 3: If the UFC wants to maximize the final fight on Nate Diaz’s contract, there is perhaps no better way of doing so than booking a trilogy match with McGregor. The first two fights between the two were sensational, and the fight makes sense for both men at this stage of their careers. 30% chance
Who do you think Diaz fights in the last fight of his UFC deal?
–Field Level Media