Former UFC star Nate Diaz is open to a return to the Octagon this summer at the historic White House event.
While speaking to TMZ recently, Diaz, who hasn’t fought in the UFC since 2022, expressed interest in competing on the June 12 card.
“Yeah, that’d be dope, too,” Diaz said. “America gang, baby. You already know what’s popping.”
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported on Sunday that UFC president Dana White said that he and the company’s matchmakers “made a lot of progress and have options laid out” for the White House event, but the official fight card is not “done.” Perhaps Diaz will be able to convince White to include him in the lineup.
Diaz told TMZ that his primary choice for his return to the Octagon would be a trilogy bout against longtime rival Conor McGregor. The two of them fought in 2016 in a pair of legendary matchups with one win apiece, but they’ve yet to have the opportunity to settle the score.
Diaz also called out retired UFC star Dustin Poirier, saying he’d be down to fight him “if he stops being such a p—y.” They were scheduled to fight in 2018 before Poirier was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury, and they’ve traded barbs back and forth ever since.
If neither of those options comes to fruition, Diaz suggested a matchup against Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship star Mike Perry, saying he wants a fight that will have “real action.”
Whatever the case may be, it’s clear that Diaz is itching for a return to the Octagon, so the 40-year-old could get his wish at the White House card or another UFC event this year.