Nate Diaz is considering a return to the UFC but only if there is a compelling opponent, as he currently finds the sport lacking in excitement and notable fights, though he remains open to future opportunities to prove himself.
Nate Diaz is eyeing a return to the UFC, but only when there’s a name intriguing enough to pull him back. The former lightweight title contender hasn’t set foot in the Octagon since his submission victory over Tony Ferguson in 2022, marking the end of his contract. While UFC CEO Dana White has always kept the door ajar for Diaz’s return, Nate’s been busy elsewhere—dabbling in boxing bouts against names like Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal.
Even though he’s not fighting in the UFC, Diaz keeps a watchful eye on the scene. Yet, he claims nothing has sparked his interest to make a comeback. “It’s about buzz and who’s popping,” Diaz mentioned during a Full Violence photoshoot. “Right now, there’s nobody doing shit in the UFC.”
Without pointing fingers directly, Diaz criticized the welterweight division—a weight class where he once competed after his stint at 155 pounds. In one of his last UFC fights, Diaz lost via unanimous decision to Leon Edwards but almost turned the tables with a late-round rally. Edwards used that victory as a springboard to claim a UFC title but later lost it to current champion Belal Muhammad.
During their chat, Diaz struggled to recall who held the title, underscoring his point about the lack of star power in the UFC. “Everybody’s boring right now,” Diaz remarked. “I want to go back and get a UFC title… Right now there’s not anybody that’s that [entertaining].”
“Who’s the champion right now at 170?” he questioned rhetorically. “Exactly, that’s what I’m saying.” Though Muhammad might beg to differ, Diaz insists there’s no compelling matchup drawing him back to the Octagon.
“Nobody,” Diaz reiterated. “That’s why I’m not in there right now… There’s no buzz, nobody’s doing shit.” Despite this sentiment, the 39-year-old veteran remains hopeful something will eventually entice him back.
He hasn’t pinned down a timeline for his return but assures fans he’s not done yet; there’s still more to prove in the fight game. “I don’t think about it as done,” he said regarding his legacy. “I think it’s underrated… It can’t go away because you ain’t getting credit anyway so may as well keep that shit going forever.”
Diaz plans on fighting indefinitely, keeping his legacy alive and kicking amidst an ever-evolving combat sports landscape.