Nate Diaz is not interested in fighting Khamzat Chimaev.
Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC), a former UFC title challenger and one of the most popular names on the roster, claims the promotion is trying to book him in a matchup against undefeated rising star Chimaev (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC).
Speaking with TMZ, Diaz made it clear that matchup has zero appeal to him.
“They’re coming at me with (Chimaev) and I’m like, ‘Hold on, don’t disrespect me like that, trying to offer me a fight with a rookie,'” Diaz said. “I’m cool. You got four fights in the UFC. Don’t even talk my name. … There’s levels to this and I don’t even want to hear his name.”
Diaz, 36, is currently in a curious career predicament. He’s got one fight remaining on his current UFC contract, and he’s seemingly keen to test the free agent market.
The UFC has a track record of trying to pit fighters in Diaz’s position with a difficult matchup prior to a potential exit from the company, and Chimaev, 27, appears to be the bout the promotion wants.
Diaz won’t bite on it, though, he said, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t looking to fight. Diaz claims he’s been looking for a matchup for some time, but he can’t get something appropriate.
“I’m trying to fight somebody in the UFC, like ASAP, but nobody wants to fight,” Diaz said. “I’ve been trying to get somebody for a minute. Anybody in the top 10 I’ve been trying to fight, in any weight division, whoever want it. But they all want to keep their mouths shut cause they all scared.”
