TLDR
- Nate Diaz wants to complete his trilogy with Conor McGregor after nearly a decade since their last fight
- Diaz left the UFC in 2022 and competed in boxing and other MMA promotions
- McGregor suffered an ACL injury during his comeback fight against Max Holloway
- Diaz expressed sympathy for McGregor’s injury and hopes he recovers well
- Diaz plans to return to the UFC and believes the trilogy fight will eventually happen
Sources: yardbarker.com | lufkindailynews.com
Nate Diaz says he still wants to complete his trilogy with Conor McGregor, even after McGregor’s recent injury setback. The Stockton fighter recently discussed the potential matchup and his plans to return to the UFC.
Diaz and McGregor have fought twice before, with each fighter winning one bout. Their two meetings rank among the top six pay-per-view events in UFC history, capturing worldwide attention when they happened.
The last time these fighters met was nearly a decade ago. Since then, both have taken very different career paths.
Diaz left the UFC in 2022 and has competed in boxing twice since his departure. He also participated in Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event outside the UFC.
McGregor’s recent return to the octagon did not go as planned. After five years away from fighting, his comeback ended in seconds due to a self-inflicted injury.
š„š²Nate Diaz calls Ilia Topuria a āpunching bagā and says Justin Gaethje exposed him in his first real fight.
āIlia is lame as f*ck. He is a punching bag. He called me a punching bag. He got his ass whooped, and they made a big deal out of him, just like they did with Conorā¦ pic.twitter.com/yGBGdYbYvf
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) September 15, 2026
Diaz Comments on McGregor’s Injury
Despite their rivalry, Diaz expressed sympathy for McGregor’s injury situation. “Conor is a f***er. But Conor is a fighter,” Diaz said in a recent interview.
“He’s someone you want to see,” Diaz added about his longtime rival.
Diaz made it clear he wants both fighters to be at their best for a potential third meeting. “I’m not trying to kill him off. I’m not trying to be killed off by a guy trying to make a comeback,” he explained.
“I’m trying to fight a big fight to move up in the fight program,” Diaz continued about his goals for the matchup.
The California native sent well wishes to McGregor for his recovery. “I feel bad for him; I hope he does good. Positive vibes for the comeback,” Diaz stated.
Plans for UFC Return
Diaz confirmed he intends to return to the UFC after his time competing outside the organization. His return would set the stage for a potential third fight with McGregor.
“I’ll start whooping ass and doing good. And then I’m going to whoop his ass,” Diaz said about his plans for facing McGregor again.
The two fighters split their previous meetings. Diaz won their first encounter at UFC 196 by submission in March 2016.
McGregor got revenge five months later at UFC 202, winning by majority decision in August 2016. Fans and fighters have discussed a trilogy bout ever since.
Both fighters are known for their entertaining personalities and fighting styles. Diaz built his reputation as an unapologetic fighter from Stockton, California, while McGregor became known for his showmanship and ability to attract casual fans.
McGregor suffered an ACL tear during his scheduled fight against Max Holloway. The injury ended his comeback attempt before it could truly begin.
Diaz’s timeline for returning to the UFC remains unclear. He did not provide specific dates or potential opponents for his comeback to the organization where he made his name.
