UFC News & FeaturesDana White Denies Holding Nate Diaz ‘Hostage,’ Claims Fights Have Been Offered
Nate
Diaz made headlines earlier this week when he
aired his latest set of grievances with the Ultimate Fighting
Championship.
During an interview on “The MMA Hour,” the Stockton, Calif., native claimed that the UFC was “holding him hostage” by not offering him a fight so he can complete his existing contracting with the promotion. Following UFC on ABC 3 on Saturday, Dana White responded to Diaz’s comments at the event’s post-fight press conference.
“When isn’t Nate Diaz
saying something crazy?” White said. “I’ve said this a million
times and I’ll say it again — we can’t hold guys hostage. It’s not
possible.
“I owe you three fights a year. If I don’t fight you three times a year, I have to pay you. How could I hold him hostage?”
Diaz said that he has asked to face “four or five” different opponents and even agreed to a proposed bout against Khamzat Chimaev, but nothing has come to fruition. He hasn’t competed since a loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 263 in June 2021. White, however, insists that the goal is to book Diaz in a fight.
“What do you think my plans are? We’re going to get him a fight,” White said. “We’ll see what happens. I have to get him three fights a year. I offer fights, he either accepts them or turns them down. Obviously, I’m not paying him so I’ve offered him fights.”
Shortly thereafter, Diaz took to Twitter to react to White’s press conference comments regarding his status.
“Dana said Francis Ngannou was injured and couldn’t fight right now,” Diaz stated. “[I don’t know] why he was so confused in [the] interview. And in the last nine months [I’ve] been offered zero fights and I asked for five legitimate opponents. Thanks for the kind words. Can I go now?”
During an interview on “The MMA Hour,” the Stockton, Calif., native claimed that the UFC was “holding him hostage” by not offering him a fight so he can complete his existing contracting with the promotion. Following UFC on ABC 3 on Saturday, Dana White responded to Diaz’s comments at the event’s post-fight press conference.
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“I owe you three fights a year. If I don’t fight you three times a year, I have to pay you. How could I hold him hostage?”
Diaz said that he has asked to face “four or five” different opponents and even agreed to a proposed bout against Khamzat Chimaev, but nothing has come to fruition. He hasn’t competed since a loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 263 in June 2021. White, however, insists that the goal is to book Diaz in a fight.
“What do you think my plans are? We’re going to get him a fight,” White said. “We’ll see what happens. I have to get him three fights a year. I offer fights, he either accepts them or turns them down. Obviously, I’m not paying him so I’ve offered him fights.”
Shortly thereafter, Diaz took to Twitter to react to White’s press conference comments regarding his status.
“Dana said Francis Ngannou was injured and couldn’t fight right now,” Diaz stated. “[I don’t know] why he was so confused in [the] interview. And in the last nine months [I’ve] been offered zero fights and I asked for five legitimate opponents. Thanks for the kind words. Can I go now?”
Dana said Francis Ngannou was injured and couldn’t fight right now
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) July 17, 2022
Idk why he was so confused in interview.
And in the last 9 months I been offered 0 fights and I asked for 5 legitimate opponents ..
Thanks u for the kind words can I go now
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