Nate Diaz has been tipped to hold out for a trilogy bout with Conor McGregor as he waits for the final fight on his UFC contract.
McGregor's close friend and training partner Artem Lobov has insisted Diaz should wait for the Irishman to return from his broken leg and then complete his deal.
The pair had two of the most iconic fights in UFC history in the early part of 2016, with both men getting a win over the other in front of record-breaking crowds at the gate and on pay-per-view.
But they have been unable to put together a trilogy over the years, with McGregor going on to become a two-weight world champion and fight Floyd Mayweather while Diaz has fought just three times since.
And Lobov believes that holding out for the trilogy could be the best option for both.
"I don't know, to be honest, but the options are there.," Lobov told SevereMMA when asked what was next for his training partner.
"Diaz has got the last fight on his contract and I know he's talking about a fight now but he could easily wait if that was on the horizon."
The American is currently in talks with the UFC for his final bout, and is highly unlikely to re-sign with the promotion once he has that final bout.
Vicente Luque was initially touted as his next opponent, although Diaz seems to prefer a matchup with Tony Ferguson, while the UFC have also floated the prospect of a fight with Khamzat Chimaev.
For McGregor, there are more options on the table, with the loser of next month's lightweight world title fight between Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira a likely opponent.
He most recently took part in a trilogy bout with Poirier, which he lost after breaking his leg stepping back from a kick after losing their rematch in January.
And Lobov believes that both of the UFC 269 headliners are possible opponents.
"Poirier is always an option but he has to fight for the belt so we'll see how that plays out," Lobov continued.
"Anybody really, Charles Oliveira could be a great match-up for Conor as well, that would be a great fight.
"No matter who he fights it's going to be exciting, to be honest I'd probably rather watch Conor hit the bag in the cage than some of those boring fights that are out there.
"I just want to see him compete, back 100 per cent, back healthy and training to his full potential.
"When Conor is at his full potential, nobody can beat him, he is absolutely unstoppable.
"You match anybody with Conor, I want to see that fight and look the numbers don't lie, anybody Conor fights is always a massive pay-per-view and a sell-out and that's not a fluke."
