Nate Diaz teases return to Madison Square Garden two years on from clash with Jorge Masvidal as UFC fan-favourite looks to bounce back from Leon Edwards defeat… days after calling out Dustin Poirier
- UFC star Nate Diaz has teased a return to Madison Square Garden, New York
- Diaz, 36, headlined the iconic venue when he fought Jorge Masvidal in 2019
- The fan-favourite expressed his eagerness to fight at MSG again later this year
- Diaz recently called out Dustin Poirier, having lost to Leon Edwards last month
Nate Diaz has teased a return to Madison Square Garden almost two years after he headlined against Jorge Masvidal for the ‘Baddest MotherF***er’ belt at UFC 244.
Diaz, 36, lost out to Gamebred in November 2019 after a doctor called a stop to the New York contest due to serious cuts obtained by the Stockton-born fighter.
Diaz shot into superstardom in 2016 after defeating Conor McGregor at UFC 196, but the fan-favourite has proven his worth as a PPV star with the Madison Square Garden headline bout, as well as his five-round dust-up with Leon Edwards last month.
Nate Diaz has teased a return to Madison Square Garden, two years on from his BMF fight
The American’s decision loss to his British rival was his first fight since facing Masvidal for the BMF title, but he vowed to make a return within ‘three or four months’ of his UFC 263 defeat.
And Diaz has taken to Instagram to hint at headlining at Madison Square Garden once more.
Uploading an image of himself in New York, Diaz posted: ‘Headlining the garden like it ain’t no thang. I might have to do that again soon’.
Diaz, 36, headlined at the iconic venue when he lost to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 in 2019
Diaz took to Instagram to hint ‘I might have to do that again soon’ as he looks to return
Diaz has lost his last two fights but would still garner big PPV buys and has been linked with a number of mouthwatering contests in recent weeks.
The American still has a score to settle with Conor McGregor. The two stars are tied at one win apiece over the other, and are seemingly keen to meet in the Octagon for a trilogy bout.
However, with McGregor expected to be sidelined for at least one year after breaking his leg at UFC 264, that fight is some distance away.
Diaz shared an image of himself squaring off with Dustin Poirier last week with the caption: ‘185 lbs, pull up’.
The Stockton-born star exchanged words with lightweight star Dustin Poirier last week
The pair were due to meet at UFC 230 in 2018, but Poirier withdrew from the contest after picking up an injury. The Diamond is expected to fight Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title next, but expressed his willingness to face Diaz.
‘I’d touch you up at any weight,’ Poirier responded, buoyed from a second victory over McGregor in six months after triumphing in Sin City earlier this month.
Elsewhere, Diaz’s older brother, Nick Diaz, is set to make his long awaited UFC return when he takes on fellow veteran Robbie Lawlor at UFC 266.