Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz will almost definitely fight each other again, but it probably won’t happen for a while.
Despite their first two fights being cash-cows that the UFC milked until their udders had become drained of all that gooey revenue, it appears as though the UFC don’t want the trilogy fight to happen. Not just yet, anyway.
Dana White has made it clear that he wants McGregor to either defend his belt against Jose Aldo or take another fight. The second rematch against Diaz doesn’t even appear to be in the discussion at this stage.
Judging by Diaz’s comments on Chael Sonnen’s podcast You’re Fired, he doesn’t seem to think he’ll be getting another crack at the Notorious any time soon.
“Remember last time they rushed to his house the next morning because he was all upset or whatever, but I was pretty crazy about it for a couple of days, but it’s whatever to me. I won that fight. I’m not like jumping for round three. I think I beat him twice and it’s 2-0, as far as I’m concerned.”
No rest for the wicked #UFC202 https://t.co/4buq691oCb
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 31, 2016
As for what happens next, the Stockton native admits that it’s not really his decision. He confessed that his next move will ultimately come down to his mentor and sibling Nick Diaz, who’s set to make his own UFC return soon following the completion of his USADA suspension for testing positive for Marijuana.
“Nick is my fearless leader. I do whatever Nick tells me to do. Right now I don’t even know what’ Nick’s doing, I’m just going to enjoy this summer.”
“Nick’s the leader. If Nick tells me to fight Joe Blow, I’ll fight Joe Blow. I’m a soldier, man, and that’s the general.”Â
While Nate is trying to enjoy his downtime following his epic five-round war at UFC 202, his coach Richard Perez has other ideas.
“He’s already barking at my door like, ‘let’s work out, let’s train.’ I’m like, ‘man, I’ve got to avoid him for a little bit.’ (laughs) That’s not going to be forever. Besides that I’m just going to enjoy the summer, keep doing what I’m doing, going to see people with my brother. I’m in LA soon and I’m going to some concerts, I guess, just killing some time.”
Whatever happens next, Nate’s next fight is sure to attract a lot of eyes who bore witness to his two stunning performances against the Notorious.
The new GAA Hour football podcast is here. Listen to Colm Parkinson, Senan Connell, and Barry Cahill dissect a classic between Dublin and Kerry. Subscribe here on iTunes.