Nate Diaz Requests Official Release From UFC; Tells Dana White ‘It’s Time For Me To Be On My Way’

It looks like the polarizing Diaz brothers can’t stay out of the media today, as No. 5-ranked UFC lightweight Nate Diaz has requested his release from the UFC on his Twitter account just moments ago:

The younger Diaz brother had been linked to a spat with UFC President Dana White after White allegedly accused Diaz of turning down a fight with undefeated No. 7 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov. Diaz was quick to deny the allegations, instead focusing his assault on injured champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis.

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That fight never materialized, and Diaz was booked opposite old enemy Gray Maynard at last December’s TUF 18 Finale. But it wasn’t without a classic dose of antics. Diaz said that he wouldn’t be able to make it to the fight because he had a high school reunion to attend, but ultimately he showed up to finish “The Bully” with a first round TKO.

Whether he gets his title shot or not is unknown, as “Showtime” will return later this fall to face Gilbert Melendez at the end of upcoming season of TUF 20. Of course, if White grants the younger Diaz his wish, he won’t even be fighting for the promotion.

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Some of the ill will could stem from his good friend and teammate Melendez’s much-publicized contract dispute with the UFC, which ultimately resulted in “El Nino” signing one of the most lucrative contracts in UFC history after the promotion matched rival Bellator’s offer.

The deal is a far cry from the relative pennies that Diaz makes, something that could be prompting his way out. We’ll just have to see what White’s response is.

Like them or not, you can’t deny the Diaz brothers have an electric appeal. Just earlier today, Nate’s brother Nick was in the news for asking for an immediate welterweight title shot and saying that he’s a better stand-up fighter than longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva.

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While some potentially huge fights could await the brothers if they would just “play the game” as White likes to say, it appears like they are putting their feet in their proverbial mouths once again.

But looks can be deceiving.

Many a Diaz outburst has resulted in them getting a big name fight as the end result, and there’s not much doubt that Nick is trying to do just that with his recent comments. Is Nate trying to do the same?

Photo: Joe Camporeale for USA TODAY Sports