Getty Nate Diaz leaves the Octagon after his majority-decision loss to Conor McGregor in their welterweight rematch at the UFC 202 event at T-Mobile Arena on August 20, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
No. 2 ranked UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns is ready to get back to competition and he has a man from Stockton in his crosshairs. “Durinho” challenged Nate Diaz to a grappling match that would take place in Chael Sonnen’s Submission Underground promotion.
Burns is the likely next opponent for welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, however the fight has not been booked, making it likely that Burns won’t fight inside the Octagon until at least the first quarter of 2021.
So, finding out soon who “the real gangster” is between himself and Diaz will suffice for the Brazilian. He also has financial stakes in mind.
“So as my title fight is not scheduled yet, Let’s grapple!” Burns tweeted on Thursday. “Let’s see who is the real gangster @NateDiaz209 so I put $200,000 you put $200,000 winner takes all at @ChaelSonnen @UFCFightPass what you say?”
So as my title fight is not scheduled yet, Let’s grapple! Let’s see who is the real gangster @NateDiaz209 so I put $200,000 you put $200,000 winner takes all at @ChaelSonnen @UFCFightPass what you say?
Diaz has yet to respond to Burns’ challenge.
Diaz hasn’t competed since his match with Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 in November 2019. Diaz lost the fight by doctor’s stoppage between the third and fourth rounds.
Since moving back up to the UFC welterweight division, Durinho has gone 6-0 with wins over the likes of former welterweight champ Tyron Woodley, two-time UFC title challenger Demian Maia and fan-favorite Gunnar Nelson.
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Diaz Campaigned for a Rematch With Masvidal, Unclear if He Will Get It Next
Although Diaz is one of the biggest stars in the sport, he hasn’t fought inside the Octagon in over a year.
After suffering the loss to Masvidal, Diaz campaigned for a instant rematch. However, the contest never materialized for the fighter from Stockton as “Gamebred” shifted his sights to welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
In July, Masvidal stepped up on short notice to challenge Usman for the strap and lost by unanimous decision. A little while after that fight, Diaz once again started pursuing Masvidal and it appeared the UFC was considering it.
But, after Masvidal’s bitter rival, Colby Covington, defeated former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in September, the two became linked to a bout. According to a recent interview with Covington, the UFC is working on a match between the two, leaving Diaz once again possibly without the rematch.
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Diaz Has Fought in the UFC for Over 13 Years
Diaz is as battle tested as they come inside the Octagon. He made his debut in the promotion during The Ultimate Fighter 5 finale when he defeated Manny Gamburyan to earn a UFC contract.
He has 15 victories in the UFC with notable wins over the likes of Conor McGregor, Donald Cerrone, Anthony Pettis and Gray Maynard.
Diaz has a professional mixed martial arts record of 20-12. Five of his victories have come via KO or TKO, 11 via submission and four by decision.
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