Nate Diaz claims he has given up training for his final UFC fight against Khamzat Chimaev on Saturday night after insisting he doesn't want the bout at all.
The California native is a legendary fighter in the promotion despite his 13 career losses, but has been at odds with management for years over a number of issues. His final contracted fight takes place this weekend at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as the headliner of UFC 279, but he was never keen on facing unbeaten top contender Chimaev.
Diaz very publicly turned down the fight at the first time of asking, before eventually deciding that it was easier to just accept and get out of his contract. His name value will mean that he'll surely receive a number of big money offers outside of the octagon, with one obvious option being a boxing match against Jake Paul.
Asked about not wanting the fight initially at media day yesterday, Diaz responded: “Yeah, for sure, so I just f***ing gave up on preparing. Whatever. Beat me. I think that I've been stuck in the cage for a long time and I need to do what I have to do to get the f*** out.
"Whether that's fighting the toughest guy, the newest guy, whatever you want to make of him or call him or anybody. I'm like 'uh, I'm just ready to rock and roll'. I feel like the UFC is kind of limited for me and I wanted to reach f***ing higher goals, higher objectives and do bigger stuff than this.
"Under the UFC umbrella it's like you can only go so far and like I said this is only the half-time show. It's time to blow past everybody here in the organisation and if it involves me staying in or getting out I'm going to do something bigger than I've ever done as soon as this is done, bigger than this and whatever's in the past also."
Asked if he could implement one change in the UFC, Diaz joked that he "would own it" as opposed to WME, who are currently in charge. He is keen to test himself in other disciplines aside from MMA and will likely still compete in combat sports once he leaves the UFC.
Do you think Nate Diaz has any chance against Khamzat Chimaev on Saturday night at UFC 279? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Speaking with ESPN about this fight earlier this week, Diaz explained: “What they’ve got me doing right now is they’re acting like I called for this fight, which I didn’t call for, and I don’t want, and didn’t want, and still don’t want.
"But I don’t give a f***, I’ll fight anybody. But the pressure’s on him — he better finish me, because he’s the next killer in town. Because ... if I whoop his a**, they’re going to say, ‘Oh, he wasn’t the best in town'. But they’re not going to let me go [otherwise]. I asked for 20 fights, 10 fights, 15 fights.
“This fight is not even about this guy. It’s about making this guy It’s about making this motherf***er, right? And I’m like, 'Okay, well, you guys aren’t going to let me go because I’m the best fighter here, and you’re not going to let me go unless it’s off of somebody? I’ve got to make somebody for you?'
"Well, alright, you’re welcome. Let’s make you. You’re welcome, UFC. You’re welcome, Dubai. You’re welcome, all you motherf***er in your country. You’re welcome. This is just my halftime show. I’m just getting started.”
