Nate Diaz wants out of his UFC contract. In an explosive interview with The MMA Hour, he claimed that the UFC was “holding him hostage” in hopes of booking a third fight against Conor McGregor. That’s a fight that Diaz refuses to take.
“I was trying to get this shit on the road, but they don’t want me out of contract and they’re keeping me in there and they’re holding me hostage. And I want out. That’s my main objective here.
They don’t want to let me out of my contract. They want me to fight Conor. I’m not fighting Conor McGregor right now. Our timelines aren’t matching up. … You bring yourself back to life, and I’ll be back later.”
Nate Diaz stressed that he’s not interested in fighting for the UFC any longer. Other avenues that he wants to pursue, like boxing and jiu-jitsu competition, aren’t open to him under the terms of his UFC contract. Even a lucrative money fight against Conor McGregor clearly isn’t enough to keep Nate Diaz happy. He just wants to see out the contract as soon as possible. If that means fighting someone who isn’t a superstar – even the likes of Jake Paul – so be it. He’ll fight anyone, but the UFC simply won’t let him – they want the McGregor fight.
“I’m interested in everything. I’m interested in activity. If he’s going to be the first one to step up, I’ll fight him. I’ll fight everybody. Anyone who wants to fight, I’ll fight that’s actually talking some s*** like Jake Paul.
In last meeting, [Dana] goes, ‘Let’s get you going, let’s talk in a few’. Him and Hunter ran out of the building. I was about to steal some s***. I went out in the back and took a piss.
I appreciate the UFC, but they’re valuing me in private, but I’m devalued in the public.”
Once more, he reiterated that more money won’t keep Nate Diaz in the UFC.
“I don’t want no more money. I want to go do different stuff. I went in there and talked to them, and it’s with all due respect. I might just re-sign afterward, but I need out.”
Nate Diaz was an immediate hit when he first reached UFC fans via his time as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter. He’s remained a firm fan favorite ever since, although Diaz’s fortunes in the Octagon have waned in recent years.
Do you want to see a third Diaz vs McGregor fight? Should the UFC release Nate Diaz? Let us know in the comments.
