Nate Diaz Not Waiting For Title Shot, Insists He’ll Fight Tomorrow

True to form, UFC lightweight Nate Diaz is back on the scene with a drawn out back-and-forth concerning his next fight. After knocking out rival Gray Maynard at the TUF 18 Finale last December, the No. 5-ranked Diaz said he was content to just sit back and wait for a title shot.

However, the UFC had other ideas and reportedly offered him a fight with surging No. 7 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 170. Gilbert Melendez had turned down the fight, citing a conflict in timing, so naturally Diaz was next on the list. But supposedly Diaz turned down the fight. News broke soon that it was the UFC who had scrapped the plans according to Diaz’ manager Mike Kogan.

And today, another development in the saga has come forth as Diaz Tweeted that he is not ducking the undefeated Nurmagomedov as it was initially thought:

Im not waiting for a title shot Ill fight tomorrow….

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) January 14, 2014

Diaz says he will fight tomorrow, it’s just unclear as to just who his opponent will be. Rising lightweight Michael Johnson has been campaigning for the bout with Nurmagomedov, and he also sought out a bout with Diaz just weeks ago.

There are not a whole lot of other top-ranked options. It’s well known that Diaz won’t fight the No. 2-ranked Melendez because they are good friends and training partners, and the rest of the Top-5 is tied up. No. 1 Benson Henderson will face No. 4 Josh “Punk” Thomson in the main event of UFC on Fox 10 on January 25, while No. 3 T.J. Grant is still on the shelf healing from a concussion that’s kept him out for six months.

From the looks of things, Diaz may benefit most from just waiting it out until division champ Anthony “Showtime” Pettis returns from PCL surgery. The UFC won’t likely allow that to happen, however, so Diaz will have to fight at least once in the meantime. That’s okay, because he’ll be ready “tomorrow.” Just whom should he face?

Photo: Kyle Terada for USA TODAY Sports