Fight fans are optimistic that the return of Nate Diaz is almost upon us.
The UFC fan favorite ended his 15-year run with MMA’s premier promotion after choking out Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022.
Since then, the 40-year-old has crossed over to boxing and went the distance with Jake Paul.
In July 2024, Nate Diaz bounced back from his boxing debut defeat by outpointing Jorge Masvidal in the ring over 10 rounds.
Nate Diaz teases comeback
Earlier this year, Nate Diaz eased retirement fears by outlining his plan to keep ‘fighting forever’.
Still, there’s been little talk about when, where, or who the UFC legend will fight next.
That all changed on Thursday evening when Diaz dropped a three-word comeback update.
“See you soon,” he captioned a picture of him working on his boxing skills.
Diaz fans quickly assembled in the comment section to react to his teased fight news.
“My GOAT is back,” one fan said. While another asked: “Boxing or UFC return?”
“I’m definitely watching,” someone else commented.
“We need you back in the UFC,” a fourth fan declared.
“Fighting needs Nate. Everything is boring these days,” another Instagram user moaned.
“Legend,” wrote this happy fan.
Will Nate Diaz ever return to the UFC?
Diaz has been honest about his desire to return to the UFC ever since he left the company.
In March, Diaz highlighted the lack of UFC stars as he explained why his return to MMA hasn’t happened yet.
“It’s about buzz and who’s popping and who’s doing something and right now, there’s nobody doing s— in the UFC,” he said. “There’s f——, what’s his name? ‘Poatan’, Alex Pereira. So there’s him and there was Israel Adesanya too. I mean he’s still there but he’s not doing much right now.”
“Nobody, that’s why I’m not in there right now, you know what I’m saying? But I’m watching, I’m hoping for something. There’s no buzz, nobody’s doing s—, there’s nobody to fight, everybody is whack.
“Every single body in boxing and in MMA and everyone who has got anything going for them thinks they’re tight.”