Conor McGregor has expressed appreciation for the support of former rival Nate Diaz in his pursuit of a UFC return, with Diaz recently tweeting a message of solidarity amid McGregor’s frustrations over the lack of news regarding his comeback fight.
Conor McGregor has found an unexpected ally in his quest for a UFC comeback. His old rival, Nate Diaz, has shown support.
Diaz surprised everyone on St. Patrick’s Day. He tweeted a message of solidarity for McGregor, the ex-two-division UFC champ. McGregor’s been frustrated with the lack of news about his comeback fight. Diaz’s tweet urged the UFC to “free Conor,” showing empathy for McGregor’s situation.
Their rivalry is one of the most intense in MMA history. McGregor didn’t expect Diaz to be in his corner, but he’s not complaining.
“Nate is great,” McGregor said on The MMA Hour. “We’ve had real, real fights. He’s a real fighting man, as are his brothers.”
McGregor’s always respected Diaz. He’s even been a fan. Sharing the octagon with Diaz was an experience he appreciates. “We had wars,” McGregor said. “I wish him well, always. I look forward to seeing past and future opponents do well. And what a moment it’ll be when we get that trilogy fight done. I’m excited.”
McGregor, 35, and Diaz, 38, had two infamous fights in 2016. Diaz won the first fight with a rear-naked choke. McGregor won the rematch by majority decision. Eight years later, these fights at UFC 196 and UFC 202 are still two of the highest-selling pay-per-views in MMA history.
Diaz’s St. Patrick’s Day tweet reflects McGregor’s recent frustrations. McGregor’s been unable to get a date for his UFC return. Diaz found himself in a similar situation at the end of his UFC run. With one fight left on his contract, Diaz had to publicly fight with the promotion to land his UFC 279 swan song and become a free agent. McGregor has two fights left on his UFC deal, and Diaz sees parallels in their situations.
“This was me for years before Conor even got here,” Diaz tweeted. “They want you to die before you get out these contracts. It’s up to you to make something pop. No one gonna help you but you. Free Conor, it’s St. Patty’s Day in this b****.”
McGregor’s luck seems to be changing. He told The MMA Hour that he has a summer date for his UFC return against Michael Chandler. This fight is just the first step in a two-step plan. McGregor hopes to compete twice in 2024, with the second bout set for UFC’s debut trip to The Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 14 for UFC 306.
McGregor had suggested that the long-awaited trilogy match with Diaz be the main event for UFC 306. But UFC CEO Dana White quickly shot down that idea. McGregor doesn’t know why.
“The cold water, [White] threw cold water on it instantly,” McGregor said. “That’s huge. That, to me, has The Sphere written all over it. Mexican Independence Day. Nate Diaz is an American Mexican and a beloved fighter and a real fighter. Now, he’s hard to deal with with the lads [UFC executives], and I don’t know all the ins and outs, to be honest — and I know the lads are hard to deal with also. So I think it’d be amazing and it would suit me lovely — the date in summer and into September, I believe I get my two fights in this year.”