Nate Diaz wants to make a UFC return and fight for a title one last time.
Diaz hasn’t fought since submitting Tony Ferguson in September 2022, but revealed he’s waiting for the right time to make a comeback.
The 39-year-old became a free agent after defeating Ferguson at UFC 279 and decided to explore the world of boxing.
He made his professional debut against Jake Paul, losing to a unanimous decision in August 2023, before he squared off with fellow MMA legend Jorge Masvidal.
Diaz avenged his UFC 244 loss to Masvidal by claiming a majority decision against his fellow American in July 2024.
The Stockton native threw a whopping 740 punches over the 10 rounds, showing a marvellous display of cardio and proving he can still mixed it at the highest level.
“The legacy? I don’t think about it as done,” Diaz told Full Violence.
“I think it’s underrated. I think I left more of an impact anybody has, really.
“I mean, Conor [McGregor] has in a way, and then you get like, my brother did, but all that s*** gets forgotten about too.
“It can go away because you ain’t getting credit to begin with anyway. You might as well keep that s*** going forever.
“That’s why I plan on fighting forever.”
Diaz is regarded as one of the baddest men to ever grace the UFC’s Octagon, having fought in the sport for over 20 years now.
He is the younger brother of another MMA icon in Nick Diaz, and has locked horns with some of the biggest names in the sport.
In 2016, Diaz shocked the world by submitting Conor McGregor in two rounds at UFC 196 after stepping in to fight the fan-favourite on short notice.
He, like several other MMA fans, believes there is a lack of stars in the promotion currently, which is why he has yet to make his return.
Diaz has challenged for a UFC title just once in his 26-fight career with Dana White‘s promotion but admitted he’ll not fight for anything else than a belt upon his return.
“Well, everybody’s boring right now, so I’m trying to do other s*** for the moment,” Diaz added.
“But, I want to go back and get a UFC title. I don’t want to fight for nothing, you know? I want to fight for something.
“Right now, who’s the champion at 170 [lbs]? See, exactly, that’s what I’m saying. Why would I go back to the UFC and fight, who?
“It’s about buzz and who’s poppin’ and who’s doing something. Right now, there’s nobody doing s*** in the UFC.”
When speaking on current stars within the promotion, Diaz mentions Alex Pereira, who was dethroned by Magomed Ankalaev of his light heavyweight title at UFC 313, and Israel Adesanya but ‘he’s not doing much’.
Diaz would most likely make his return to the UFC in the welterweight division at 170 pounds, which is currently ruled by Belal Muhammad.
Muhammad defeated Briton Leon Edwards at UFC Manchester to claim the belt and makes his first defence of it at UFC 315 in May against Jack Della Maddalena.
“Nobody [excites me]” Diaz concluded. “That’s why I’m not in there right now, you know what I’m saying? I’m watching.
“I’m hoping for something…There’s no buzz, nobody’s doing s***.
“There’s nobody to fight, everybody is whack. Every single one in boxing and MMA.”
Diaz could end up reigniting his rivalry with Edwards, who fights Sean Brady at UFC London on March 22 to decide who will challenge for welterweight gold next.
Edwards is the last person to defeat Diaz in the UFC, having beat him via unanimous decision at UFC 263 in July 2021.
Should the Birmingham man defeat Brady and go on to reclaim his belt against Muhammad, that may be enough to entice Diaz to make a return to the Octagon for one last dance.
