In a revealing interview on the Happy Jappy Ranch Podcast, combat sports veteran Nate Diaz expressed his desire to return to the UFC octagon, specifically naming three high-profile opponents he’s eager to face.
The Stockton native, who last competed in the UFC in September 2022 before venturing into boxing, made it clear that unfinished business with Conor McGregor remains a priority.
“I’m planning on going back to [the UFC],” Diaz stated. “If they’ll have me.”
When asked about a potential trilogy bout with McGregor, with whom he has split their previous two encounters, Diaz was unequivocal: “With time, for sure. Yeah, whenever he’s back, I’m sure we’re going to fight. Me and him for sure got unfinished [business]. It got to happen.”
The history between Diaz and McGregor has been one of the most compelling rivalries in UFC history. Diaz shocked the world with a second-round submission victory over the Irishman in March 2016, before McGregor evened the score via majority decision in their August 2016 rematch.
Beyond McGregor, Diaz also mentioned featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and fan-favorite Max Holloway as potential opponents.
“Those are the guys right there who I want to fight,” Diaz said. “I like Max Holloway, but besides that, I would like to fight the other guy [who’s] really good too, Topuria.”
While acknowledging Topuria’s skills, Diaz noted the size disparity between them: “He’s really good, but he’s smaller than me.”
At 39, Diaz remains one of the sport’s most recognizable personalities despite his recent hiatus from the UFC. His candid approach and never-back-down attitude have made him a perennial fan favorite.
The timing of Diaz’s comments is particularly interesting as the UFC landscape continues to evolve. McGregor has been sidelined with injuries, Holloway recently captured the BMF belt with a spectacular knockout of Justin Gaethje, and Topuria has quickly risen to championship status.
UFC President Dana White has not publicly commented on Diaz’s potential return, but the matchups mentioned would undoubtedly generate significant interest among combat sports enthusiasts.
