Pundit Arena Because Sport Is Everything
Oh good Lord, please let this happen…
With Conor McGregor believed to be on the fringe of confirming a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather, the general consensus is that an interim lightweight title bout between Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson is now the biggest fight that the UFC can book.
Although Ferguson seems extremely keen to get the fight made, recent reports have repeatedly suggested that the younger Diaz brother is refusing to sign off on the bout as he is unhappy with the pay he is being offered.
Many believe that Nate feels it is in his interest to simply sit out until Conor McGregor makes his comeback, with Diaz likely to make far more from a trilogy bout with the Irishman than two or three more bouts with other lesser known fighters.
However, with fans putting pressure on McGregor to defend his belt, it is very possible that, even if the SBG man returns to the UFC, he will have to face a real lightweight contender rather than book the Diaz trilogy.
With this in mind, the only way Nate can now ensure that he gets an immediate bout with McGregor as soon as he returns is by taking on Tony Ferguson and winning the interim lightweight title.
It now seems as if Nate may be set to do just that as, after Tony Ferguson has repeatedly called out Diaz for an interim bout, online rumours are now suggesting that the UFC are finally trying to put together the fight that every fan wants to see.
RUMOUR: Nate Diaz vs Tony Ferguson in the works for the UFC Lightweight Interim Title pic.twitter.com/ogcWaRP7aU
— UFC Insiders (@UFCInsiders) April 26, 2017
McGregor's manager Audie Attar tells @arielhelwani Ferguson & Nate Diaz should fight for interim belt to create excitement for McGregor bout
— SevereMMA.com (@SevereMMA) April 24, 2017
MMA fans have predictably gone into overdrive about the news with many pointing out that a trilogy bout between McGregor and Diaz for the unified lightweight title would be the biggest fight in the history of the UFC.
Check out some of the best reaction to the news below;
@UFCInsiders Ok this got interesting pic.twitter.com/h6mZorlenE
— Saintt (@Saintt_Po) April 27, 2017
Would be a ridiculous fight, but I'll believe it when it's announced. Seems high risk/low reward for Nate when the champ wants a trilogy. https://t.co/uBvPzYQEGP
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 26, 2017
@UFCInsiders pic.twitter.com/xshcSlhcGj
— Anth Riley (@RileyMMA) April 27, 2017
@UFCInsiders That’s a solid match & it gives Nate a clear path to the Conor trilogy cap as CM preps to get whooped by Floyd, but he will make that $$$$$$
— Brian Roberts (@savejimharbaugh) April 27, 2017
@UFCInsiders @FlynnerMMA PLEASE LET THIS BE
— Jack (@jacko_97) April 26, 2017
@UFCInsiders I’ve been sayin this fight should happen ever since khabib missed weight
— bubba (@bubba2489) April 27, 2017
@UFCInsiders pic.twitter.com/OnmaK0LpVr
— Julian The Destroyer (@JulianDaGreat) April 26, 2017
@UFCInsiders If true it will all depend if Nate accepts it as he only wants to fight Conor but if he does and wins it sets it up nicely for the trilogy.
— Elaine Parkinson (@MissElaine_MMA) April 27, 2017
@UFCInsiders This would be AWESOME. GET IT DONE NOW>
— Mike Leinbach (@MichaelLeinbach) April 27, 2017
@UFCInsiders please be fucking true, please! Even if Tony wins, conor would fight tony and nate in my opinion. Let’s go
— Inward Journey (@TerraG777) April 26, 2017
@UFCInsiders pic.twitter.com/zDHa3DjbhU
— delilah ✨ (@byebyedelilahhh) April 26, 2017
#UFC 214 July.29
DC vs Jones 2
Nate Diaz Vs Tony Ferguson IC belt pic.twitter.com/VmAB9XiJGa— Joe (@joedaef20) April 27, 2017
