The possibility of UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley fighting Nate Diaz continues to gain traction, at least in terms of mutual interest.
Woodley recently said that if he had to bet his house on it, he would face the one-time lightweight title challenger for his next title defense. As for Diaz, he believes that Woodley is now his top choice for his return to the Octagon.
“I’m getting to the point where I’m sick of not fighting. I’m not getting any younger,” Diaz told ESPN. “I put that tweet out saying I wanted to fight in May or June, but I didn’t say who because I was weighing my options. And now, Woodley is my best option.
”I see him on TMZ every week, talking about me. I’m like, ‘What the f—? If that’s what you want to do.’ It’s not really my weight class, but I’m with it. I think it’s my title we’re fighting for. If he’s the one calling me out, whose title are we fighting for? Who’s the real champion here?”
Diaz hasn’t fought since losing his rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 202 back in August 2016. Both of his bouts vs. McGregor took place at welterweight, but an overwhelming majority of Diaz’s fights have occurred at lightweight.
UFC president Dana White says that Diaz doesn’t want to fight, and claims that he’s turned down numerous opponents. The 32-year-old is interested in fighting at UFC 226 in July, and once again stated that he does want to compete again.
“I’d like a good two or three-month camp,” Diaz said. “We’ll figure it out. There’s definitely going to be something. I’m trying to fight.”
White recently said that Rafael dos Anjos is the #1 contender who’s next in line to face Woodley, but fans of this sport know how often things can take an unexpected turn.
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