The move came as a surprise.
Diaz hasn’t competed in MMA since submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in Sept. 2022, closing out his UFC contract on a high note (watch highlights). Since then, he’s explored boxing — losing a decision to Jake Paul in 2023 before picking up a win over Jorge Masvidal in 2024.
Still, there had been growing chatter about Diaz potentially returning to the UFC to complete his trilogy with Conor McGregor later this year.
And according to the UFC head honcho, those talks were very real.
“He came in and met with me a couple of weeks ago,” White said during the UFC London post-fight press conference. “We had a good time, and I think Nate just got an offer he couldn’t refuse. I haven’t talked to him since then, but I’m happy for him.”
Despite losing out on one of its biggest stars, White didn’t sound bitter about Diaz’s decision.
“I don’t know,” White said when asked if this affects Diaz’s chances of returning to the UFC. “Let him do his thing. Let’s see how the fight plays out, and we’ll see what happens.”
For now, Diaz is doing exactly that — his own thing.
That dream just took a major hit.
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