Out of nowhere before UFC 219, all of us thought that Nate Diaz was going to march scowl-faced into the Octagon once again to fight none other than Tyron Woodley. It never ended up happening, despite Woodley relentlessly putting Diaz on blast with what he saw as hypocritical statements. Now it looks like we can get our hopes all up again. Nate Diaz recently said he was interested in saving UFC 222, but Woodley actually has his eye a fight with the Stockton soldier later this year.

“I think that fight [with Nate Diaz] will happen. I think it will happen this year. I think it’s way more likely than people realize. There are conversations about Nate and I fighting in July. The UFC has offered Nate that fight. They just have to make it worth his while. I think I’ll fight Nate this year, and I think it will be my return to the Octagon. If I had to bet the house on it, that’s my next opponent. In four weeks? No. I wouldn’t fight him. If we’re fighting, I’m pretty sure it would have to be for my belt.”

You want to know from ME about a possible fight w/ @natediaz209 & myself??? Don’t Be scared homie💯💯 Watch FULL interview on “The Hollywood Beatdown!” 🚨 LINK IN BIO 🚨@nickdiaz209 @danawhite @ufc #ufc @tmz_tv #tmzsports #ufc #ufc219 #natediaz #ANDSTILL pic.twitter.com/Ipa79ro1Tm

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) November 16, 2017

“Now, if they want me to fight him at a catchweight, not a title fight, I’m gonna have to drop to my knees and make a prayer to the most high for something like that. At this point in my career, if it’s a fight that’s not for my belt, I’m willing to step out of the box and do some different things. I just want to do something that’s going to push me forward career-wise or push my legacy. I need both. I need superfights and I need to continue to knock off these rising contenders. I’ve been fighting the best of the best since Strikeforce. It’s not like I’m asking for anything that I haven’t paid my dues for. I had to earn this position the hard way.” — Tyron Woodley speaking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.

For the title or not, this fight is just as huge as when it was teased to close out last year. If the UFC gets this done, they could have a giant year even without Conor McGregor. Three potential super fights are lined up with one already actually happening, Tyron Woodley and Nate Diaz could sit right in the middle of those huge cards and do giant numbers. Let’s hope that the scrap happens this time at welterweight, catchweight, or moneyweight.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/6/2018.