Conor McGregor believes a trilogy fight with Nate Diaz is inevitable as his former rival prepares for his final UFC outing.
Diaz will take to the octagon for the final time tonight when he takes on Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He was set to face Khamzat Chimaev but the Chechen star missed weight which saw Ferguson step in as a late replacement for Diaz's curtain call.
Diaz had several potential options for his final bow, including a third fight with McGregor, but it appears Diaz will depart the UFC. McGregor has saluted his rival for his career while hinting at a third showdown, tweeting: "Congrats Nate Diaz on making it to the end of his contractual obligations with the UFC, and as a bonafide superstar goer. An incredible feat. Fair play. Our trilogy will happen."
READ MORE: Nate Diaz says trilogy fight with Conor McGregor will happen 'for sure'
McGregor and Diaz have met on two previous occasions with their first meeting coming in a historic stoppage victory for Diaz in March 2016. The Irishman avenged his defeat later that year which seemingly paved the way for a third bout, but the fight has failed to materialise with both fighters' careers progressing in different directions.
Diaz now plans to leave the promotion with just his final fight against Ferguson remaining on his current deal. It is expected he will instead pursue a career in the boxing ring in lucrative bouts which could also include a shot at McGregor, who has previously fought in the squared circle against Floyd Mayweather.
McGregor is currently out of action as he continues his recovery from a broken leg injury suffered last July. The pair were naturally linked to a third fight with Diaz unable to find an opponent since last June but despite initially opening the door to a fight, Diaz elected to pour cold water on any plans.
Diaz has recently opened the door again to a third meeting but expects his own promotion that he will create to be heavily involved in any match-up which will likely take place outside of the UFC. “The timing’s not on right now. We’ll worry about that later and for sure it’s gonna happen at some point,” Diaz said in a pre-UFC 279 interview with InsideFighting.
“He can get back on what he’s gotta do, whatever that is. When we’re gonna match up, we’re gonna match up, but we ain’t going nowhere.”
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