{"id":219252,"date":"2017-01-24T13:03:01","date_gmt":"2017-01-24T21:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/?p=219252"},"modified":"2017-01-24T13:03:42","modified_gmt":"2017-01-24T21:03:42","slug":"nate-diaz-wants-to-fight-but-says-he-is-being-put-on-the-shelf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/mma-news\/nate-diaz\/nate-diaz-wants-to-fight-but-says-he-is-being-put-on-the-shelf\/","title":{"rendered":"Nate Diaz wants to fight but says he is being ‘put on the shelf’"},"content":{"rendered":"

August 20, 2016 was the last time Nate Diaz stepped into the Octagon for a fight.<\/p>\n

Following a majority decision loss to his rival Conor McGregor at UFC 202<\/a>, Diaz has stated that he is only looking for big fights that will result in a big payday. Given his history and payouts<\/a> for his two bouts with Conor McGregor<\/a>, a third fight between the two fighters is sure to bring in the cash once again.<\/p>\n

However, with McGregor holding the lightweight title and taking at least the first half of 2017 off from competition for the birth of his first child<\/a>, Diaz seems to be itching to get back to competition but isn’t sure when he’ll get a fight.<\/p>\n

\"highest<\/a><\/p>\n

“I know what this is: I\u2019m being put on the shelf,\u201d Diaz told the Los Angeles Times<\/a> on Saturday night while in attendance to watch the Bellator 170 event in California.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m trying to get a boxing license<\/a>,\u201d Diaz stated.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Times was able to get a statement from UFC President Dana White via text message and said, \u201cNate said the only fight he wants is Conor \u2026 I haven\u2019t heard a word from him [since August]. Usually when guys want a fight, they call.\u201d<\/p>\n

When The Times replied that Nate may be waiting for a call from the UFC instead, White replied with an emoji with eyes rolled up.<\/p>\n

\"UFC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one in MMA wants it,\u201d Diaz said of another massive fight. \u201cNo one says they want a big-deal fight against me. If someone wants to fight, then let\u2019s make a big deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

A part of the issue is that not many fighters have the drawing power like Conor McGregor, who has headlined four of the top five pay-per-view events in UFC history. However, one big piece of that recipe for pay-per-view success is Nate Diaz, as both his fights against McGregor at UFC 196 and UFC 202 are among the reported top five UFC pay-per-view events.<\/p>\n

Aside from a third fight with Conor McGregor, which opponent could be placed opposite of Nate Diaz in the Octagon to draw a massive audience? Let’s hear what everyone has to say in the comment section!
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