UFC fans always love it when a Nate Diaz fight gets booked but a lot of them were stunned Monday night when it was announced that Diaz will face Leon Edwards in the co-main event at UFC 262 on May 15th in Houston.
The stunning part of this news was that there wasn’t any talk at all about this matchup before it was announced. Diaz hasn’t fought since he lost to Jorge Masvidal in November of 2019. Edwards fought just a few weeks ago but his fight with Belal Muhammed was ruled a no contest after an eye poke by Edwards took out Muhammad.
This should be a great welterweight fight between two old-school fighters.
Diaz had some fun with his announcement:
Check me out may 15th I’ll be headlining #ufc262 in Houston Texas I’ll also have the new UFC lightweight title fight on the card I need people to know these guys are they’ve been working very hard and I can’t wait to see who gets my old 👑 I’ll see uguys there 👊🏼
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 31, 2021
This fight will make history as it’s the first co-main event that’s not for a belt to be a five-round fight:
Nate Diaz will return against Leon Edwards in the co-main event of UFC 262 on May 15, sources told @arielhelwani.
It will be the first five-round non-title co-main event in UFC history. pic.twitter.com/kUXHzGi60P
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 31, 2021
Charles Oliveira will fight Michael Chandler in the main event for the vacant lightweight belt.
Twitter had reactions:
Anyone who says they saw this coming is a liar. https://t.co/joANw8jnxM
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 31, 2021
Glad news broke today because if Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards had come out on Thursday (April 1st), no one would've believed it! Super surprised, but I love this fight.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) March 31, 2021
Diaz vs Edwards pretty much covers the overrated/underrated gamut for a lot of people. It makes no sense. I really love it.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) March 31, 2021
Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards is the first 5 round non-title Co-main event in UFC history.
Needle mover. pic.twitter.com/5TZf0YUr8o
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) March 31, 2021
Leon Edwards vs Nate Diaz gets announced:
The whole MMA community: pic.twitter.com/6EG1rtjI9K
— AquaMMA💎🥃 (@AquaMMA___) March 31, 2021
UFC: *books Leon Edwards vs Nate Diaz as a FIVE round co main fight for ufc 262
Everyone: pic.twitter.com/Zs6w1vY0Gn
— babygoosemma (@ReeseWatkins9) March 31, 2021
Nate Diaz and Leon Edwards on fight week #UFC262
— 𝔾𝕃𝕀𝕋ℂℍ (@MMAPORT) March 31, 2021
The matchup is wierd but my oh my. Nate Diaz is back agains Leon Edwards and it's a five rounder 🔥🔥🔥😍 #UFC262 https://t.co/2toxvpQ4po
— Salman (@Slmyy7) March 31, 2021
I am surprised motherfu**ers.@NateDiaz209 https://t.co/anpL2yEvSU
— Shivam Rautela (@ShivamRautela4) March 31, 2021
