'I want to see this from Conor McGregor – if you're Irish you need to tell him'
McGregor initially faced Diaz at UFC 196 in May 2016 and was expected to dominate after a seven-fight run of victories. However, Diaz caused an upset when he forced McGregor into submission with a rear-naked choke in the second round, marking the Dubliner's third professional defeat of his career and his first within the UFC octagon.
Seeking redemption, McGregor squared off against Diaz once more at UFC 202 in the August, emerging victorious by majority decision after five gruelling rounds. Despite fervent demand for a third and final decider, nearly 10 years have passed without a fight coming to fruition – leading Shields, Diaz's long-time friend and ex-Strikeforce champ, to call out McGregor himself.
During an interview with Bloody Elbow, Shields said: "I want to see Nate and Conor fight again, but Conor is being a b***h. Tell Conor to stop being a b***h.
"If you're Irish, tell Conor to stop being a b***h, tell him step the f*** up and fight Nate. Stop running. Everyone wants to see Conor and Nate bro, it's like the super trilogy, the biggest trilogy of all time.
"Two f***ing superstars, it's the fight everyone wants to see. Make the f***ing fight UFC, stop being cheapskates and make the fight."
Several factors are complicating a potential trilogy fight between McGregor and Diaz in the UFC, as Dana White and matchmakers navigate their next moves, reports Dublin Live. McGregor's absence from the octagon has been notable following his 2021 defeat at the hands of Dustin Poirier, during which he suffered a leg fracture.
An expected comeback against Michael Chandler in June was also scrapped due to injury, leaving fans waiting in anticipation. Elsewhere, Chandler remains adamant that if McGregor is plotting a UFC return, their showdown should be top priority.
In conversation with Mirror Fighting in November, Chandler said: "I still believe Conor comes back at some point, and when he does, that road goes through Nashville, Tennessee, and Michael Chandler. We have to finish TUF 31, we have to get a fight poster that actually comes to fruition for a fight, we have to get a contract that actually comes to fruition for a fight but either way if the fight with Conor never happens, I am completely content – I wish him well.
"But I have a sneaky suspicion Conor does not want to sail off into the sunset the way he has right now. He wants to come back and needs to come back for Conor McGregor's legacy."
Speculation continues to swirl over whether McGregor will step back into the cage, especially as he focuses on promoting Bare Knuckle FC and with his MMA career approaching its latter stages at the age of 36.
Meanwhile, Diaz – the younger brother of UFC and Strikeforce legend Nick Diaz – hasn't stepped into the mixed martial arts ring since his 2022 victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279.
Having left the promotion, Diaz has since transitioned into professional boxing. He suffered a unanimous decision defeat to YouTube star Jake Paul in August 2023, before securing a majority decision victory against former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal last July.
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