Coaxing Nate Diaz back into the Octagon is continuing to prove a major headache for the UFC, despite the outspoken fighter recently accepting a fight with Tony Ferguson.
According to Diaz himself, he was offered a fight with the current UFC lightweight division No.1 contender at UFC 213 in July, and initially agreed to it, but then had second thoughts and decided to reject it.
“I gladly accepted (the Ferguson fight), and then it was gladly rejected because of circumstances,” Diaz told Ariel Helwani on a special edition of ‘The MMA Hour’ show. “Sure, I will fight him, but under these circumstances, you know what I’m saying? Then I was ignored, and the rumors went on. So I said, ‘Why are the rumors still going if it’s not popping?’
“And then I thought about it: Why am I going to do Conor McGregor’s (expletive) work for him? No, fight each other (expletives), and then you get a shot at the golden child right here (expletive). What are you going to do? You’re going to take time off to make $1 million to fight Mayweather, and I’m going to do your dirty work for you?”
Diaz went on to indicate that the UFC’s failure to pay him what he feels he’s worth had a big role to play in him turning down the fight.
“I said, ‘Right now, I’m in race season, but if you want to pull me out of race season, yeah, let’s do it. But you’re going to have to reach my number. And my numbers are already good.
“I’m not waiting for no Conor McGregor, because my numbers are already good. No matter who I fight, I’m getting paid. But I have hella money. I don’t mean to brag about it and be a cocky (expletive) … if you don’t step up your game and get your money, you’re (expletive) up.
“I said if you want me to come out of season, it’s going to cost.”
Apparently the UFC weren’t willing to meet his demands and so Diaz is digging his heels in.
“When you see me in the cage, (that means) my number was met.”
