{"id":470588,"date":"2026-02-12T17:22:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T17:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/470588\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T17:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T17:22:09","slug":"ex-ufc-superstar-promises-mma-fans-ill-see-you-soon-in-cryptic-return-tease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/470588\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-UFC Superstar Promises MMA Fans &#8220;I&#8217;ll See You Soon&#8221; in Cryptic Return Tease"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"4w\">Former UFC star Nate Diaz seems to have his attention squarely fixed on the upcoming \u201cBMF\u201d title bout scheduled to headline UFC 326.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"4z\">After the UFC opened its 2026 schedule <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/paramount-sees-massive-ufc-subscriber-roi-boost-before-ufc-324-launch-ufc-325-push\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">and new Paramount deal <\/a>last month when UFC 324 and UFC 325 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/justin-gaethje-paddy-pimblett-ilia-topuria-fight-bloody-ufc-324-war\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">took place on back-to-back weekends<\/a>, the promotion\u2019s next numbered event is scheduled to go down at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV on March 7. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"52\">The card\u2019s headlining attraction is a highly-anticipated rematch between Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, who will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-to-make-debut-on-cbs-with-portion-of-ufc-326-holloway-vs-oliveira-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">attempt to defend the \u201cBMF\u201d title for the second time<\/a> after he defeated Dustin Poirier in their trilogy fight at UFC 318. <\/p>\n<p>Nate Diaz Cites &#8220;Unfinished Business&#8221; Ahead Of &#8220;BMF&#8221; Title Fight<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"58\">Diaz came up short in the inaugural \u201cBMF\u201d title bout against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244, and this week the former UFC star appeared to tease some sort of a comeback while reminding fans that he was the one who originally came up with the idea for a \u201cBMF\u201d belt. <\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Let\u2019s not act like I didn\u2019t start a whole division bringing value to all these guys claiming they\u2019re it. I gave opportunity and put notice on the dopest fights I got unfinished business and I plan on going and taking what\u2019s mine asap 1st to ever start a division and the dopest\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DbiYibmqb6\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/DbiYibmqb6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NateDiaz209\/status\/2021745401456648509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5e\">\u201cLet\u2019s not act like I didn\u2019t start a whole division bringing value to all these guys claiming they\u2019re it. I gave opportunity and put notice on the dopest fights I got unfinished business and I plan on going and taking what\u2019s mine asap 1st to ever start a division and the dopest one at that Your welcome mother****ers I\u2019ll see you soon I\u2019m coming\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5h\">READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/frustrated-joshua-van-champion-puts-ufc-on-blast-delaying-next-title-fight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Frustrated UFC Champion Puts UFC on Blast for Delaying Next Title Fight<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5k\">The \u201cBMF\u201d bout between Diaz and Masvidal initially looked like it might be a one-off attraction for the UFC before the promotion revived the belt for UFC 291, where Gaethje won the vacant strap by knocking out Poirier in a rematch of their 2018 meeting. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kh9a3wdyyyb5ssafhg.jpg\" alt=\"Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) reacts to defeating Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 291 at Delta Center.\" title=\"Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) reacts to defeating Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 291 at Delta Center.\" width=\"4290\" height=\"2860\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"5u\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) reacts to defeating Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 291 at Delta Center. | Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Fan Favorite Fought Out His UFC Contract In 2022<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"61\">A long-rumored matchup with Poirier seems to be off the table given that \u201cThe Diamond\u201d retired after fighting Holloway at UFC 318, but Diaz\u2019s post certainly seems to imply that the 40-year-old is eager for some sort of combat sports return. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"64\">READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-shockingly-cuts-jailton-almeida-heavyweight-fight-night\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UFC Shockingly Cuts Top-Ranked Heavyweight Star After UFC Fight Night Loss<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"67\">The lightweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 5, Diaz challenged Benson Henderson for the UFC\u2019s 155 lbs. title in 2012 and lost a unanimous decision. Failure to win undisputed UFC gold did nothing to dull his status as a fan favorite, and Diaz\u2019s stardom reached new heights in 2016 with his two fights against Conor McGregor. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kh9a5nm748ah419kw8.jpg\" alt=\"Jorge Masvidal (red gloves) and Nate Diaz (blue gloves) react after their fight during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden.\" title=\"Jorge Masvidal (red gloves) and Nate Diaz (blue gloves) react after their fight during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden.\" width=\"4002\" height=\"2668\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"6h\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Jorge Masvidal (red gloves) and Nate Diaz (blue gloves) react after their fight during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. | Sarah Stier-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6l\">Diaz closed out his UFC career <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/mma-fans-rejoice-tony-ferguson-ufc-champion-ends-historic-losing-streak\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">by submitting Tony Ferguson<\/a> in the main event of UFC 279 before coming up short against Jake Paul the following year in his professional boxing debut. The 40-year-old last competed in the summer of 2024, when he took a majority decision over Masvidal to avenge his previous loss to \u201cGamebred\u201d at UFC 244. <\/p>\n<p>More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6r\">\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ian-machado-garry-title-shot-islam-makhachev-major-ufc-fight-news\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UFC Stars Aiming for Title Shot vs. Islam Makhachev Tease Major UFC Fight News<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6u\">\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/10-year-veteran-morono-basharat-fighters-axed-ufc-roster\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">10-Year UFC Veteran Included With 3 Fighters Axed From Official UFC Roster<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6x\">\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-327-banger-fight-fans-wait-miami-main-event-randy-brown-kevin-holland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UFC 327 Adds Banger Fight as UFC Fans Wait on Miami Main Event Announcement<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"70\">\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-champion-tom-aspinall-gruesome-health-update-eye-surgery\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UFC Champion Tom Aspinall Shares Gruesome Health Update After Eye Surgery<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"73\">Stick with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"76\">Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MMAKnockoutSI\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UFCKnockout\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mmaknockoutsi\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Former UFC star Nate Diaz seems to have his attention squarely fixed on the upcoming \u201cBMF\u201d title bout&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":470589,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[444],"tags":[49,48,641,638,82],"class_list":["post-470588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mma","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-fighting","tag-mma","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=470588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470588\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/470589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=470588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=470588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=470588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}