What screams hardcore more than Nate Diaz? The Stockton native was once the UFC’s most coveted superstar, and he didn’t need a championship belt around his waist to prove his worth. It’s been nearly three years since he last stepped into the Octagon, after a gritty win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in 2022. Since then, he’s dipped into boxing, stayed loud on social media with his signature callouts, and even stirred up chaos on the ALF reality show opposite Jon Jones. But that competitive fire hasn’t cooled. Nate has made some major callouts.
During his HJR podcast appearance, Diaz didn’t hold back, calling out top names like Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria—while still keeping the Conor McGregor trilogy in mind. He also made it clear he’s not cutting to 155 again. He said, “Those are the guys right there who I would want to fight, like Max Holloway,” Diaz said of the BMF champs. “I’d like to fight the other guy too, Topuria. He’s really good, but he’s smaller than me. I’m done with 155. I’m cool off that.”
Well, the Stockton Slugger’s potential comeback is bound to turn heads, as any fight with him is a major event. Now, the UFC’s most prominent talking head, Chael Sonnen, has thrown another name into the mix. ‘The Bad Guy’ thinks Dustin Poirier should stick around for a potential showdown with Diaz, despite ‘The Diamond’ already getting ready for his retirement bout against Holloway at UFC 318.
Sonnen, in his YouTube video, said, “I wish that Dustin would stick around. Go fight Max, and however that outcome goes, stick around. Let’s find Nate, let’s see what’s up with Masvidal, let’s see where Nick’s going, let’s check on Cowboy! I like this idea, and it’s for a small group. But I’ve named some massive stars. Now, Nate isn’t ready to do that; he called out a rival and two sitting champions, and there’s something about that that is so exciting. But I admit, I feel it too, I admit. It’s hard to believe, those would be a dream fight to a pretty big extreme.”
MMA: UFC 279-Diaz vs Ferguson, Sep 10, 2022 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Nate Diaz red gloves fights Tony Ferguson blue gloves during UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports, 10.09.2022 21:24:35, 19026586, T-Mobile Arena, NPStrans, Tony Ferguson, Nate Diaz, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJoexCamporealex 19026586
‘The Diamond’ has already made it clear—since another title shot seems off the table, it’s hard for him to stick around unless something truly significant grabs his interest. That decision, though, will only come after his fight on July 19. Still, that hasn’t stopped ‘The Bad Guy’ Chael Sonnen from fantasy-booking future matchups starring Diaz—including one against Max Holloway, who, unlike Poirier, hasn’t hinted at retirement anytime soon. He has also asked the audience for a social media campaign.
He added, “Not to mention, there are multiple weight classes that got called out there. So, you can kinda look and go, ‘How serious is this?’ But it’s what I’m attempting to correct for you right now. It’s serious you want Nate back, do your thing, which is to go to social media and let them know. He would sign the bout agreement. If you don’t love the idea of McGregor, Holloway, Topuria, feel free to throw another Idea out there.”
These are some of the most stellar matchups Sonnen has floated. Any one of those fights would send the UFC and its fans into overdrive, just like Diaz’s previous showdowns with McGregor, Masvidal, and Leon Edwards did. Each brought massive attention, and the same energy would follow him again, especially if it’s against Max Holloway or Dustin Poirier. But there’s one more callout by the Stockton native that’s been catching serious buzz lately. Let’s take a closer look at that.
Nate Diaz keeps up the heated rivalry with Justin Gaethje
Nate Diaz’s confrontational nature has earned him plenty of potential opponents over the years. From fiery rivalries with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor to his recent clash with Islam Makhachev during the UFC 311 pre-fight bottle-throwing saga. Diaz has always found a way to stir the pot. Amid all that, his tension with Justin Gaethje has also resurfaced.
At the HJR podcast, the Stockton slugger took shots, saying, “Like Justin Gaethje, when he came out,” Diaz said. “He got in the UFC in like 2016 or some shit. He’s like, ‘He’s a f— this and he’s that.’ I’m like, bro, not that I’m demanding respect or anything, but why would I even acknowledge that? I should f—- beat your ass when I see you.”
The feud between Justin Gaethje and Nate Diaz? That’s been around for a while. It all blew up after Gaethje got choked out by Khabib at UFC 254, right before ‘The Eagle’ retired. Nate jumped on Twitter and threw some serious shade, saying, “Bruh got triangle choked from the mount, what he talkin bout,” poking fun at Gaethje for calling that fight a tough encounter. ‘The Arizona native didn’t hold back either, firing back with, “I ain’t your bruh you jealous b— @NateDiaz209.”
So, with that re-ignited animosities and callouts, does Nate Diaz really come back after three years in the octagon? Please let us know your thoughts by commenting below!
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