Today there’s still some doubt as to whether Nate Diaz is definitely out of his UFC 244 headlining fight with Jorge Masvidal in two week’s time as right now he’s not been provisionally suspended for a potential drug violation by USADA, but if he is then the UFC are believed to already have a replacement lined up to take his place.
If Diaz is out then the UFC have a plan in place to bring in Leon Edwards to fight Masvidal instead, and if so that’s a fight that already has heat behind it as it as Edwards who Masvidal punched in the face during a live interview backstage following his knockout win over Darren Till earlier this year.
That moment, which occurred after Edwards attempted to trash-talk him as he walked past him during the interview, helped push Masvidal’s noteriety to new heights, and together with his highlight reel KO wins over Till and Ben Askren led him to UFC 244’s blockbuster fight with Diaz.
If Edwards is drafted in then no one can say he hasn’t earned the opportunity as the British fighter is currently on an eight fight winning streak that includes high-profile wins over the likes of Donald Cerrone, Gunnar Nelson and most recently Rafael dos Anjos, taking him to No.4 in the 170lb rankings.
Nevertheless, Masvidal appears to be holding out hope that Diaz will still fight and has publicly supported his opponent by claiming he doesn’t believe he’s taken any kind of performance enhancing drug.
“You not the baddest mofo in the game (i am) but you are one of the cleanest mofos Nate Diaz,” Masvidal wrote. “I’ll see you Nov 2. I know your name is clean. I don’t need USADA to tell me shit!”
