While Michael Chandler has said that if Conor McGregor ever returns to active competition, the two have unfinished business to settle, the former champ champ still has unfinished business with another longtime rival: Nate Diaz.
On the heels of Diaz’s win over Jorge Masvidal last year, the Stockton superstar is eager to get back in the Octagon. At the top of his wishlist is a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor.
During an appearance on Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell’s Out Cold podcast, Diaz said if he could pick anyone in the world to fight right now, it would be McGregor:
“If I could fight anybody right now, I would fight — with all due respect to them — if Conor McGregor came back. Shit, Conor McGregor. There ain’t nobody else to fight, really, right now.
“I would like for him to come back and impress everybody first. Not that he needs to, but it would be great to see him back. Everybody’s hating on him. I’d like to beat up somebody on top of the world, and I think he’s got the capability to do that.”
After the two fought at UFC 202 in 2016, both indicated that they would share the Octagon together again in the future. Since then, however, a trilogy bout hasn’t come to fruition.
Diaz Weighs-In on Topuria’s Run
After saying that if he could pick anyone to fight, it would be Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz name dropped newly minted lightweight champion Ilia Topuria as someone he’d like to fight.
Despite that, Diaz seemed to have nothing but good things to say about El Matador’s recent run, which has seen him finish Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in quick succession.
“Then that little Ilia Topuria, he’s doing a really good job. He’s a little small for me, but those two are probably the best fights.”
Of course, it remains unclear whether the UFC will look to bring the Stockton superstar back for another stint with the promotion.
Following his UFC 279 win over Tony Ferguson, Diaz indicated that he planned to return to the Octagon again in the future, however, so far, he’s remained a free agent when it comes to MMA.
Conor McGregor Has Yet To Register Drug Test in 2025
While Conor McGregor has indicated that he plans to return to action and fight out the remaining two bouts on his UFC contract, the former champ champ has yet to register a drug test this year.
Per the UFC Anti-Doping website, McGregor hasn’t registered a test in 2025, meaning the six-month window for his return hasn’t begun yet.
Despite that, Dana White has made it clear that McGregor and Jon Jones both want to fight on the historic White House card.
Although McGregor still has nearly a full year before the Jul. 4, 2026 event, given the skepticism surrounding his return, it sounds as though fight fans are withholding excitement until the former champ champ takes legitimate steps towards a return – like recording a drug test.
If McGregor does wind up re-entering the testing pool for a return at the UFC White House card, perhaps we could see the promotion re-sign Diaz for a trilogy bout between the two.
Nate Diaz Calls For Conor McGregor Trilogy Fight