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USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nate Diaz still eyes Conor McGregor trilogy: 'There ain't nobody else to fight'
Nate Diaz still wants to settle the score with Conor McGregor all these years later. Diaz (21-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) and McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) fought twice before, with Diaz scoring an upset submission at UFC 196 in March 2016, and McGregor avenging his loss with a majority decision in their rematch at UFC 202. Both Diaz and McGregor have been inactive from the octagon. Diaz amicably parted ways with the UFC after submitting Tony Ferguson in September 2022 but is still interested in a potential return. Meanwhile, McGregor hasn't competed since breaking his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. "If I could fight anybody right now, I would fight – with all due respect to them, if Conor McGregor came back and did some f*cking sh*t, Conor McGregor," Diaz said on the "Out Cold" podcast. "There ain't nobody else to fight really right now. I would like for him to come back and just impress everybody first. Not that he needs to, but it would be great to see him back. Everybody's hating on him. I'd like to beat up somebody on top of the world, and I think he's got the capability to do that." The only other name Diaz sees as worthy in the UFC is lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), and the Stockton native is also interested in some boxing stars. "Then that little Ilia Topuria, he's doing a really good job," Diaz said. "He's a little small for me, but I think those two are probably the best fights. And then on the boxing side, obviously Canelo or Crawford. I ain't asking for nothing, but when I whoop someone's ass, I'm going to get them motherf*ckers, too, with all due respect. So, that's my plan." Diaz last competed a year ago in July 2024, defeating Jorge Masvidal by majority decision in a boxing.
Dublin Live
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Dublin Live
'If you're Irish this is what you must say to Conor McGregor – he needs to stop running'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Conor McGregor is running away from a coveted trilogy fight with Nate Diaz, according to Jake Shields. McGregor first met Diaz at UFC 196 back in May 2016, where he headed into the fight as a major favourite after compiling a seven-fight winning streak under the promotion. Never afraid of playing the villain, however, Diaz shocked the combat sports world when it took him just two rounds to wear the Notorious one down and submit him with a rear-naked choke, giving McGregor the third loss of his professional career and his first in the UFC. An instant rematch ensued at UFC 202 in the August, where McGregor atoned for his loss by securing a majority decision win over Diaz after five hard-fought rounds. And while the two have not been able to secure a rubber match in the almost-decade since, Shields believes that it's all on McGregor's terms. The long-time training partner of Diaz and former Strikeforce middleweight champion told Bloody Elbow: "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." There are several outside factors preventing Dana White and the UFC matchmakers from booking trilogy fight between McGregor and Diaz, however. McGregor hasn't fought since his 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier in which he broke his leg, and while he was supposed to return last June to face Michael Chandler, he pulled out on short notice as a result of injury. (Image: Getty Images) Meanwhile, Chandler is still insistent that should McGregor make a return to the UFC any time soon, the two must have their night under the bright lights before the Dublin-born star is matched up against anyone else. Speaking to Mirror Fighting about his hopes of fighting McGregor 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." (Image: 2023 Zuffa LLC) Many fight fans have pondered whether McGregor will actually make a return to the fight game at all, given that he appears focused on promoting his Bare Knuckle FC promotion and is entering the twilight years of his MMA career at 36. Diaz, meanwhile – who is the younger brother of UFC and Strikeforce legend Nick Diaz – also hasn't fought in mixed martial arts since his 2022 win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. No longer a part of the promotion, Diaz has since ventured into the world of professional boxing. He suffered a unanimous decision loss to YouTube sensation Jake Paul in August 2023, before achieving a majority decision win over old UFC foe Jorge Masvidal last July.
Irish Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I want to see this from Conor McGregor – if you're Irish you need to tell him'
Jake Shields has claimed Conor McGregor is running from a highly-anticipated trilogy fight with Nate Diaz. 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.
USA Today
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Sean O'Malley on Conor McGregor: 'I'm pumped the relationship is back to good'
Sean O'Malley on Conor McGregor: 'I'm pumped the relationship is back to good' MORRISTOWN, N.J. – UFC stars Sean O'Malley and Conor McGregor are back on good terms. Ahead of his title-fight rematch against bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) in Saturday's UFC 316 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has been watching some rematches as he attempts to regain his title. One of those rematches was McGregor vs. Nate Diaz, in which "The Notorious" was able to avenge his UFC 196 loss to Diaz by defeating him by majority decision at UFC 202. McGregor took to X to comment on O'Malley's prep. "Very reminiscent of my Diaz 2 prep. Intriguing! BIG FIGHT FEEL!." O'Malley always looked up to former UFC dual-champ McGregor, but things turned weird between the pair last year when McGregor took a shot at him for testing positive for ostarine in 2019. O'Malley was disappointed to be targeted by McGregor, leading to some shots at each other on social media. With McGregor back praising him, O'Malley is happy to reconcile. "Hell yeah, I'll take it," O'Malley told MMA Junkie and other reporters of McGregor on Wednesday. "I'll forever be a huge Conor fan. I feel grateful to be able to watch his come-up in my generation. I watched it happen. I think we'll look back – I mean he had one of the craziest careers. It's cool to be able to watch it happen while I was getting into the UFC and everything. I'm pumped the relationship is back to good." O'Malley was asked why he watched McGregor vs. Diaz 2 in particular, considering that it's a different stylistic matchup than his rematch with Dvalishvili. "So I was watching Conor-Nate. I've just been watching a bunch of fights," O'Malley. "We just have cameras recording so much. I didn't realize that was a moment that got captured. I've just been watching a bunch of fights, been watching some rematches, watched Chuck (Liddell) vs. Randy (Couture). ... I've always taken inspiration from Conor fights. I've watched Conor fights more than probably any fights – well, my fights more, but I've watched a lot of Conor fights."
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nate Diaz plots UFC return, would like to 'f*cking whoop someone's ass there'
Nate Diaz plots UFC return, would like to 'f*cking whoop someone's ass there' Could Nate Diaz seriously be plotting a UFC comeback? He's at least talking like he is. Diaz (21-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) amicably parted ways with the UFC after submitting Tony Ferguson in September 2022. He has since boxed Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal, but is still interested in returning to the octagon. "I plan on going back to UFC," Diaz said on "The HJR Podcast." "If they'll have me, I would like to go back and f*cking whoop someone's ass there. I'm not fighting at (155 pounds), though. Right now I'm not fighting in there because there's nobody to fight really. It's kind of slow rolling. I don't really have a name in mind right now in the UFC. That's why I'm not there right now." Completing his trilogy bout with Conor McGregor is always an option for Diaz, but McGregor's future remains unclear. Diaz was the first to hand McGregor a loss in the UFC when he submitted him at UFC 196, but he lost the rematch by majority decision at UFC 202. "Whenever he's back, I'm sure we're going to fight," Diaz said of McGregor. "Me and him for sure got unfinished (business). Got to happen." Outside of McGregor, the Diaz-inspired BMF belt is also something of interest for the Stockton star. Diaz lost to Masvidal for the inaugural BMF title by doctor's stoppage TKO at UFC 244, and the belt has since changed hands a couple of times. Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) is the current BMF champion, and he defends his belt against Dustin Poirier in the UFC 318 headliner July 19. "Those are the guys right there who I would want to fight, like Max Holloway" Diaz said of BMF champions. "I would like to fight the other guy who's really good too, Topuria. He's really good, but he's smaller than me. I'm done with 155. I'm cool off that. It always was (a hard weight cut). When I was 18, it was hard. I'm staying at '70. I'll fight at 185, too."
