Nate Diaz Posts Message of Support for Former UFC Rival Conor McGregor

Tristen CritchfieldMar 17, 2024


Nate Diaz has found some common ground with former rival Conor McGregor: The oppressive nature of Ultimate Fighting Championship contracts.

In recent months, McGregor has expressed frustration with the lack of progress in booking a fight for his UFC return. While the former two-division champion initially announced June 29 for his comeback fight, UFC CEO Dana White denied McGregor’s claim and instead has tentatively targeted the fall without offering any concrete details.

“I was hoping for a December date, then a January date, then it keeps getting pushed back, then I lose interest and stop training for a while,” McGregor recently told The Mac Life. “Not stop training, I’m always training, but stop full training and [start] drinking a little bit. So I’m going to go back, regroup, get full tested and get ready to rock.”

Diaz, who is no longer under UFC contract, posted a message of solidarity in response to that quote via social media on Sunday.

“This was me for years before Conor even got here,” Diaz wrote on X. “They want [you] to die before [you] get out these contracts. It’s up to [you] to make something pop. No one gonna help you but you. Free Conor, it’s at [Patty’s Day] in this bitch.”

Diaz and McGregor had two memorable bouts under the UFC banner. The Stockton, California, native submitted McGregor in the second round of their first meeting at UFC 196, and the Irishman won a majority decision in their rematch at UFC 202. While a trilogy has been often discussed, it doesn’t appear likely at this point in time. In more immediate matters, Diaz is scheduled to face another UFC rival, Jorge Masvidal, in a boxing match on June 1.