Nate Diaz is returning to mixed martial arts this Saturday, May 16, in a high-profile clash against Mike Perry. The bout, organized by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), will be streamed on Netflix, marking a significant shift in how major combat sports events are delivered to global audiences.
While the immediate focus remains on the Perry fight, Diaz has clarified that this bout serves as a strategic bridge toward a planned Nate Diaz UFC return. Speaking on a recent episode of “The Ariel Helwani Show,” the 41-year-old veteran revealed that he had been in active discussions with the UFC before finalizing the deal with MVP, though the terms of a return to the Octagon remained a point of contention.
Diaz, who spent 15 years with the UFC before departing in 2023 to pursue professional boxing, indicated that his hesitation to rejoin the promotion immediately stemmed from both the timing of potential matchups and the restrictive nature of UFC fighter contracts. He expressed a desire to resolve his “outside” obligations before committing to the long-term exclusivity of a UFC deal.
The veteran fighter’s return comes after a hiatus from MMA that began following his submission victory over Tony Ferguson in September 2022. His transition to boxing included bouts with Jorge Masvidal and Jake Paul, but Diaz noted a lack of “dance partners” in the boxing world that could match the intensity of his MMA rivalries.
The conditions for a Conor McGregor trilogy
Central to any eventual return to the UFC is the possibility of a third fight between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor. While the UFC has reportedly expressed interest in booking the trilogy bout, Diaz has pushed back against the timing, refusing to be the catalyst for McGregor’s return to the cage.
McGregor has not competed since July 2021, when he suffered a severe leg injury during his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. Diaz stated that he is not interested in fighting a version of McGregor that is merely attempting a comeback.
“I’m not trying to be comeback story for Conor,” Diaz said. “I want Conor back, then I want him to be f***ing showing people he’s whipping ass, and then that’s the guy I want. I don’t want to be fighting a guy that [people] don’t know about.”
Despite the current disagreement over timing, Diaz maintained that the fight is inevitable. He described the matchup as “big wherever the f*** it’s at,” asserting that the plan remains to face McGregor once the timing is right for both athletes.
Contractual friction and the BMF ambition
Beyond specific opponents, Diaz highlighted a systemic issue with the UFC’s contractual structure. He argued that the promotion’s lack of single-fight deals makes it difficult for veteran fighters to test the waters of free agency without risking their long-term autonomy.
Diaz explained that he spent years fighting to get out of his previous UFC contract and was reluctant to jump back into a restrictive agreement without a clear, immediate path to the fights he desired. He noted that if there were three specific fights he wanted right now, he would have returned immediately, but the Mike Perry bout allows him to “do everything on the outside” first.
Among his primary targets is the “BMF” (Baddest Motherf***er) title, a symbolic belt Diaz first fought for in 2019. He specifically identified Charles Oliveira as his top target for a potential return to the Octagon.
“I would like to fight the best fighters in the world, and they’re in the UFC right now,” Diaz said, adding that he wanted to go back and “get that belt” from Oliveira. He claimed the UFC was less interested in that matchup and more focused on the McGregor fight.
Dismissing the Dustin Poirier option
While Diaz is eyeing the welterweight championship and the BMF title, he has firmly shut down suggestions of a fight with Dustin Poirier. The two were scheduled to meet at UFC 230 in 2018, but the bout was cancelled due to a hip injury suffered by Poirier.
Poirier, who has spoken about retirement following his recent performances, previously suggested he would return to the cage specifically to face Diaz. Diaz, however, dismissed the notion with characteristic bluntness, criticizing Poirier’s post-fight emotionality and his perceived lack of commitment to the sport.
“I’m not trying to fight somebody that’s done,” Diaz said, referring to Poirier. “I’m trying to fight the welterweight champ.”
The following table outlines the current status of Diaz’s primary targets and recent history:
| Opponent/Target | Status | Diaz’s Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Perry | Confirmed (May 16) | MMA Return/MVP Debut |
| Conor McGregor | Pending Timing | Trilogy Bout |
| Charles Oliveira | Targeted | BMF Title |
| Dustin Poirier | Dismissed | No Interest |
The upcoming clash with Mike Perry on Netflix serves as the first major checkpoint in Diaz’s new career phase. A victory on Saturday would provide significant momentum for his negotiations with the UFC and solidify his standing as a premier draw in the modern MMA landscape.
The fight is scheduled for this Saturday, May 16, with results and official post-fight statements expected immediately following the main event.
Do you think Nate Diaz should return to the UFC now or continue fighting on the independent circuit? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
