Another Massive Boost For The UFC as Nate Diaz Looks Set to Return at UFC 230…
It’s been a huge week for the UFC. Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagamedov are edging closer to their massively anticipated fight at UFC 229 on October 6. The deal still isn’t quite done, but both men want it. Right now it’s all about making Khabib happy. He wants more money than the UFC anticipated.
But this one came out of the blue. Nate Diaz is set to return at UFC 230, where he will fight lightweight contender Dustin Poirier in the co-main event, at Madison Square Garden, New York. This is massive news for the UFC because it adds an instant injection of star power.
Diaz hasn’t fought for over 2 years, since losing to Conor McGregor in their rematch. The Stockton native recently became a father and has spent most of his time getting into brawls at other fight events. He’s still a huge fan favorite though.
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Return
Diaz is set to return against the high-flying Poirier in the co-main event of UFC 229. First reported in the LA Times by Lance Pugmire, he confirms that the pair will fight on November 3. Poirier is a very dangerous opponent, and on paper, this is an exciting match-up.
The younger Diaz brother had been holding out for his trilogy fight against Conor McGregor. However, with the fight against Khabib almost booked, he needed to come back and make a statement to stay relevant. The top of the lightweight division is very congested and arguably Poirier is deserving of a title shot.
Big Statement
In the UFC’s dreams, McGregor will beat Nurmagamedov, while Diaz will take out Poirier, and then the two winners will fight for the title and complete their trilogy. It’s very exciting. It’s just a pity that they’re not doing it as the co-main event of UFC 229 – the card that the UFC wants McGregor and Nurmagamedov to headline.
Diaz rose to fame after shocking the world by beating the seemingly-invincible McGregor on two weeks notice. They bizarrely fought at welterweight twice, with Diaz submitting the Irishman in the first fight, and then contentiously losing in an absolute war in the second.
The 33-year-old has been around for seemingly forever. He’s got 19 wins and 11 losses on his record, with wins over the likes of Michael Johnson and Gray Maynard. He has had one previous shot for the lightweight title, losing to Benson Henderson.
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Exciting
One thing is absolutely for sure: the UFC needs this. Diaz is one of the most interesting personalities on the roster. It’s actually criminal that the Diaz brothers have been underpromoted by the organization because they’re exactly the type of personalities it needs to capture the hearts of a mainstream audience.
And if Poirier wins? What then? Well, the Diamond would claim his biggest name and guarantee a title shot for himself. Whether that’s against the terrifying Khabib, or a shot at redemption against Dustin Poirier, who knows. This is exciting.
