Nate Diaz Prioritizes BMF Title Challenge Over Conor McGregor Trilogy Bout

Nate Diaz has expressed his desire to return to the UFC to compete for the BMF title rather than pursuing a third fight against Conor McGregor.

Nate Diaz has officially signaled his intent to return to the UFC with a specific focus on the BMF title. The Stockton native, who holds a professional record of 21-13, is prioritizing a challenge for the symbolic championship belt currently held by Max Holloway. This strategic pivot moves the 39-year-old veteran away from a potential third encounter with Conor McGregor, despite their rivalry being deadlocked at 1-1 following their high-profile clashes at UFC 196 and UFC 202. Diaz secured a second-round rear-naked choke victory in their first meeting at the 170-pound limit, while the Irishman took the rematch via majority decision after five rounds of combat.

The pursuit of the BMF title represents a clear objective for Diaz as he looks to re-enter the Ultimate Fighting Championship ranks. This championship, which the Californian helped introduce during his UFC 244 headliner against Jorge Masvidal, remains his primary motivation for a competitive return to the Octagon. By focusing on this specific accolade, the fighter is positioning himself for a high-profile championship match that carries more weight than a standard non-title bout. His last appearance in the cage resulted in a fourth-round submission win over Tony Ferguson in September 2022, marking the end of his initial contract with the promotion.

Despite the long-standing history and commercial appeal of a third encounter with Conor McGregor, Diaz is currently bypassing that option to seek gold. The allure of the BMF title has proven more compelling for the veteran than settling the score with his Irish counterpart at this juncture. This decision reshapes the immediate landscape for the lightweight and welterweight divisions, as the promotion must now weigh the value of a legacy trilogy against a championship narrative. Diaz has publicly stated that the current landscape of the UFC requires a 'real' fighter to hold the belt he helped innovate.

A return centered around the BMF title suggests that Diaz is looking for the most significant competitive stakes available in the modern era. The promotion now has a clear directive regarding the fighter's interests, which may influence matchmaking decisions for the current holder of the BMF belt. By vocalizing this preference, the Stockton representative has narrowed his potential opponent list to those currently in the mix for the specialized title, effectively moving away from the non-title superfight format. This move ensures that his next appearance will carry the weight of a championship narrative, providing a different competitive framework than his previous high-profile rivalries.

Choosing a title path over a lucrative grudge match indicates a desire for championship recognition in the latter stages of his career. Diaz’s interest in the UFC's BMF title serves as a catalyst for his comeback negotiations, potentially setting up a clash with elite strikers like Justin Gaethje or Dustin Poirier if the belt changes hands. The move ensures that his next appearance will carry the weight of a championship narrative, providing a different competitive framework than his previous high-profile rivalries. As the promotion considers its upcoming schedule for the remainder of the year, the clarity provided by Diaz regarding his championship ambitions sets the stage for a major divisional shakeup that could headline a future pay-per-view event.