Michael Bisping Weighs-In On Anthony Pettis vs. Nate Diaz Fight
Nate Diaz is making his long-awaited Octagon return against former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis in the co-main event of UFC 241 on August 17 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
As soon the fight was booked the betting odds were out as naturally, and Pettis opens as -150 favorite over Diaz who’s is currently a +130 underdog although those stats can be changed as time passes by.
This showdown marks Nate Diaz’s first outing since suffering a majority loss to Conor Mcgregor back in 2016.
Stockton native was scheduled to meet Dustin Poirier at UFC 230 back in November however the bout nixed when “Diamond” withdrawal from the fight due to an injury.
By the time Nate returns in August, it’ll be full three years since his last outing. Meanwhile, Pettis is coming off a fabulous knockout win over former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson this past March and could cement his position to get into a title picture with a stunning performance over Nate Diaz.
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping believes that Pettis will be one hell of a dangerous return fight for Nate Diaz considering Stockton native’s inactivity from Octagon.
“I think this is a dangerous fight for Nate Diaz, especially coming back. He hasn’t fought since Conor McGregor, right? 2016, that’s three years ago. That’s a long time,” Bisping said on his “Believe You Me” podcast (h/t BJ Penn). “Now, he’s a pentathlete or whatever he is. Triathlons and all that type of stuff. That’s all well and good, but that doesn’t mean just cause someone runs around a f*cking track and swims a bunch they can go in there and fight. Now, of course, he has the mentality but still, and I say this with respect cause I respect both Diaz brothers and what they’ve accomplished in this sport, time away from the sport can change things. And three years is a lot of f*cking time and Pettis has still been in there the whole time.”
Pettis has (4-6) record in his last ten fights and had fought seven times since Diaz last competed.
What do you think of how this fight will play out? Do you agree with Michael Bisping that Pettis is a dangerous comeback fight for Nate Diaz?