It looks like Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz could be running it back.
According to a report from TMZ on Tuesday, the UFC is “close” to booking a rematch between Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 14-8 UFC) vs. Diaz (20-12 MMA, 18-11 UFC) for its Dec. 12 card, which is expected to be UFC 256.
ESPN later confirmed the targeted booking with UFC president Dana White, who said the fight is not yet signed. White added that the fight could slide to January.
The TMZ report indicated the fight would be for the “BMF” title, which Masvidal currently holds as a result of their first fight.
The initial bout between Masvidal and Diaz took place in November at Madison Square Garden in New York. In the UFC 244 main event, Masvidal defeated Diaz via doctor stoppage TKO due to a cut at 5:00 of the third round. The stoppage was controversial in the eyes of many experts and fans, who claimed the lacerations on Diaz’s face lacked the severity to warrant a stoppage.
Minutes after the fight, Diaz called for a rematch against Masvidal. While Masvidal voiced his interest in other matchups besides Diaz, he has expressed ongoing openness to a rematch against Diaz – even as recently as right after his UFC welterweight title challenge loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 in July.
Since the inaugural “BMF” title fight, UFC president Dana White had largely shot down suggestions of bringing the belt back, saying it was a one-time affair.
Masvidal has competed once since November (the unanimous decision loss to Usman). Diaz, who has fought just twice since 2016, has not made his return to action.
