It’s been almost three years since Nate Diaz left the UFC, but now, he intends to come back. He spoke about his return long ago after his boxing match against the YouTuber-turned-boxer, Jake Paul, in 2023. But despite the fact that Diaz has made his wish known more than a year ago, and nothing has materialized yet is concerning for Hall of Fame legend Chael Sonnen, and he believes the fans have a big part to play in it.
Recently, Nate Diaz revealed his list of three possible opponents that he could opt to fight if his UFC return takes place. The list includes his famous rival Conor McGregor, Georgian-Spanish star Ilia Topuria, and the BMF champion, Max Holloway. However, Chael Sonnen believes that it may not happen. Why? Well, the legend claims that fans are not taking the Stockton native seriously because Diaz has sounded his wish on several media platforms.
“You’re not understanding that he’s being authentic and real when he tells you he wants to come do this. This isn’t getting taken seriously,” Chael Sonnen stated on his YouTube channel. “This is how this industry works. A fighter has an idea, and they bring it to you. And generally, they would go through some kind of reporter, some kind of a media outlet… This is how this works.”
Chael Sonnen claims that the fans hold the key to Nate Diaz making his return to the UFC. They need to create a dialogue and make their wish known on social media because if the fans want to see it bad enough, Dana White can find a way to make it happen. In case fans lack assurance, Sonnen made sure to remind the fans that the Stockton native is putting in the work in training and looking for possible options to return to fighting.
“There’s just ways to get your story out there, but then, they bring it to you. And you go to social media, and what you do collectively on social media is what gets done… Dana has laid that out before… All that he says is, ‘I do listen to you.’ That’s all that he says,” Chael Sonnen added. “You don’t know he’s [Nate Diaz] not kidding at all… He’s training. He’s negotiating, making phone calls, trying to find opponents. He is sincere.”
June 12, 2021, Glendale, Arizona, USA: GLENDALE, Ariz. – June 12, 2021: for SPORTS. UFC No. 3 Welterweight Leon Edwards of Jamaica Red gloves defeats Nate Diaz of the United States Blue gloves by Unanimous Decision after five rounds of fighting at UFC 263 in the Gila River Arena. Glendale USA – ZUMAb177 20210612_zap_b177_141 Copyright: xTaidghxBarronx
Meanwhile, Nate Diaz has also given more details about his wish to come back to the UFC. He wants to be treated as a prizefighter and send a message to Dana White that he won’t be settling for anything less. Here’s what the Stockton native had to say.
Nate Diaz has his eyes only on the prize
Nate Diaz doesn’t think there are any interesting fighters currently on the UFC roster. While that’s a pretty hot take, the Stockton native doesn’t rate anybody highly. That is the reason why he’s not willing to compete in a fight with no championship belt on the line. Apart from a trilogy bout against Conor McGregor, which is highly unlikely to happen, Diaz demands a title fight from Dana White.
“Well, everybody’s boring right now, so I’m trying to do other s–t for the moment, but I want to go back and get a UFC title,” Nate Diaz stated a few weeks ago. “I don’t want to fight for nothing, you know I want to fight for something.” That’s quite a big ask from Diaz, considering that the lightweight and the welterweight divisions, where he competed during his time in the UFC, have a lot of contenders waiting for their shot at the divisional straps.
Meanwhile, Dana White has always claimed to have kept the doors open for Nate Diaz. “The UFC will always be his house,” the CEO stated in 2023. So will he accommodate one of his biggest stars? That remains to be seen, but let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
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