Nate Diaz Explains Why He Rejected Conor McGregor Fight: “He’s On His Last Dying F**king Leg”

Nate Diaz, a globally recognized figure in mixed martial arts, continues to command a significant and devoted fanbase, even after stepping away from the UFC. Post-UFC, Diaz ventured into professional boxing, engaging in notable contests against Jorge Masvidal and Jake Paul.

Although his boxing career saw varied outcomes, Diaz consistently stayed in the combat sports spotlight, his candid and outspoken demeanor always capturing public interest. The seasoned fighter is set to return to MMA action on May 16, facing Mike Perry in a highly anticipated event supported by Netflix.

During a recent appearance on the Theo Von Show, Diaz disclosed that he received offers for major fights upon a potential UFC comeback. He stated, “They wanted me to fight Conor McGregor right now… I want to fight Charles Oliveira. I want to fight the best of the best when they are the best of the best. Conor’s great, but I’m not trying to go kill off Conor when he’s on his last dying leg.” This quote highlights his preference for challenging top-tier opponents at their peak.

The storied rivalry between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor is one of MMA's most iconic, currently standing at one win apiece. Diaz famously stunned the world by submitting McGregor, halting his impressive undefeated streak in the UFC and solidifying Diaz's place in history. McGregor, known as "The Notorious," retaliated with a strong performance in the rematch, evening the score and fueling global fan anticipation for a decisive third encounter. Despite numerous challenges and exchanges between the two superstars, a trilogy fight has yet to be officially scheduled.

Nate Diaz Launches Verbal Assaults on Dustin Poirier, Daniel Cormier, and Charles Oliveira

Diaz is no stranger to intense feuds with other prominent UFC fighters, often generating significant buzz through his confrontational style. His long-standing rivalry with Dustin Poirier is particularly notable, marked by years of verbal sparring and online jabs. A highly anticipated matchup between them never materialized, prompting Diaz to recently taunt Poirier, stating, “He is a p*ssy. He had penis removal surgery, so we didn’t get to fight.”

Daniel Cormier also became a target of Diaz’s criticism, following a recent online spat that also involved Ben Askren. Diaz lashed out, remarking, “[DC] I was nowhere near champion, and I got paid way more money than you. That’s a f**king bitter little b*tch. You’re a great wrestler, you can’t fight for sh*t.”

Furthermore, Diaz didn't hold back when addressing Charles Oliveira, the current holder of the BMF title. He provocatively declared, “B*tch ass Oliveira. I believe I’d beat the f**king sh*t out of [him]. He’s walking around with my belt.” Diaz expressed dissatisfaction with Oliveira’s performance against Max Holloway in their BMF title bout, describing it as underwhelming – a sentiment echoed by several other combat sports analysts. Now, the veteran fighter is determined to reclaim what he considers his BMF belt.