Nate Diaz planning to sit out the rest of 2017
Warning: Story contains coarse language
The UFC could be without another one of its stars for the rest of 2017.
During a special appearance on "The MMA Hour" on Wednesday, Nate Diaz told Ariel Helwani that he is planning to sit out for the remainder of the year.
Rumors have persisted that Diaz was reportedly in talks to face lightweight contenders Tony Ferguson and Eddie Alvarez, but he's content to sit on the sidelines after having a profitable 2016 in which he headlined two of the biggest PPVs in UFC history opposite Conor McGregor.
"I think they are trying to bring (me and my brother Nick) back in, but I think everybody is trying to put the pressure on us with these rumors and stuff," said Diaz. "But I'm not taking the bait, I'm planning on sitting out this year. Right now, there's nothing going on and I'm not fighting nobodies."
With McGregor out indefinitely as he tries to work out the logistics of a crossover fight with boxing's Floyd Mayweather, and Ronda Rousey recently engaged and giving no indication that she plans on returning to the Octagon anytime soon, the UFC has been starving for established main event names.
Even though Diaz became one of those names last year, he's still waiting for the UFC to show him proper respect. One major spot of contention was that he wasn't contacted to fight at UFC 209 (an event number that coincides with the area code of Diaz's hometown, Stockton, Calif.) and that it was just another example of the promotion letting him down in the marketing department.
"Can I be marketed? Why am I not on the fucking Wheaties box?" said Diaz. "Look at the Wheaties box (in Helwani's studio, featuring UFC fighter Anthony Pettis). More people know me than him. How come when I go to 'UFC on FOX' all the dorks are on the wall? Can I get promoted and marketed in a positive way?"
Outside of a love of marijuana that has landed Nick in hot water with drug testers, Nate doesn't see why the Diaz brothers are repeatedly pushed aside in favor of more clean cut acts. The two are vegan fitness freaks who participate in triathlons as well as respected jiu-jitsu teachers in Stockton.
The way Diaz sees it, the UFC will have no choice but to embrace them soon, rough edges and all.
"There's nobody. There's me and my brother," said Diaz. "Where's Jon Jones? ... Ronda Rousey's not around. McGregor's hiding with Mayweather. So all you've got is me and Nick."