UFC ‘extends’ Nate Diaz’s contact as Dana White moves on from blockbuster fight with ‘rookie’ Khamzat Chimaev
THE UFC have reportedly extended Nate Diaz’s contract by ‘moving on’ from a fight with Khamzat Chimaev. The Ultimate Fighter season five winner entered the final fight of his deal with the promotion following his defeat to Leon Edwards in June. Diaz, 36, was eager to fight out his contract this month but failed to […]
THE UFC have reportedly extended Nate Diaz’s contract by ‘moving on’ from a fight with Khamzat Chimaev.
The Ultimate Fighter season five winner entered the final fight of his deal with the promotion following his defeat to Leon Edwards in June.
Diaz, 36, was eager to fight out his contract this month but failed to land a bout that intrigued him – although he was offered a showdown with welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev.
But according to veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, the promotion are no longer interested in booking the contest – therefore extending Diaz’s stay.
He wrote in his Substack page: “Sounds like the UFC is moving on from Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nathan Diaz fight and, as a result, have extended Diaz’s contract.
“I think they knew that would happen and were hoping to buy time for when Conor McGregor is ready to return later this year.
“Diaz hasn’t signed any new deal yet, so that, too, is a fascinating story to watch next year.”
Former lightweight title challenger Diaz felt disrespected when the UFC tried to convince him to fight the undefeated Chimaev, who only has four fights in the organisation to his name.
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He told TMZ: “They’re coming at me with [Chimaev] and I’m like, ‘Hold on, don’t disrespect me like that, trying to offer me a fight with a rookie.’
“I’m cool. You got four fights in the UFC. Don’t even talk my name.
“There’s levels to this and I don’t even want to hear his name.”
UFC bigwig Dana White wasn’t surprised by Diaz’s snubbing of the bout with Chimaez, who has only been hit ONCE in his four octagon outings.
He said: “Listen, everybody in this business, everybody in this company, is here because they belong here.
“There are no real rookies, per se, here.
“There are guys with more experience and some guys with some less experience.
“Khamzat Chimaev is one of those guys that’s willing to fight anybody.
“In multiple weight classes. On short notice. He’s doing wrestling matches. If it’s a fight, he’s in and he wants to fight you.
“And that’s the reality. People can spin Khamzat however they want to — and I don’t blame them.”
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