Nate Diaz says Charles Oliveira was the UFC return fight he wanted, but signing back into the UFC was not a quick decision after spending years trying to get out.
“It was hard to jump back in something I tried so hard for so many years to get out of,” Diaz said. “I can’t just jump right back in.”
Diaz, a former UFC lightweight title challenger and The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner, is currently outside the UFC and booked against Mike Perry. In a clip shared by Ariel Helwani, Diaz explained why Oliveira interested him, why Conor McGregor was not the right move yet, and why leaving the UFC made an immediate return complicated.
Watch the full clip below:
Nate Diaz says Charles Oliveira is at the top of his list for a UFC return, but explains why the timing wasn’t right:
"It was hard to jump back in, something I tried so hard for so many years to get out of. I can't just jump right back in."
Oliveira out of everybody. I'm gonna… pic.twitter.com/bERO6M0LF1
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 12, 2026
Diaz said he expected more fighters to understand the route he was taking once he became a free agent.
“I figured people would follow the blueprint,” Diaz said.
He also said he had studied how other major names handled their careers before making his own move.
“I watch everything, everything everybody does,” Diaz said. “I watch Rampage do everything. I watch fucking Chael, I watch Conor, everybody who did anything, I watched their every fucking blueprint on how and what they did.”
Diaz said the outside market did not give him enough opponents after boxing Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal.
“There was no dance partners out here,” Diaz said. “There’s nobody to squabble with on the outside. That’s why we got Perry now.”
That made a UFC return tougher unless the right fights were waiting.
“If there was three fights that I wanted right now, I’d be right back in there,” Diaz said.
Diaz Says Oliveira Was The UFC Fight He Wanted Before McGregor Trilogy
Diaz still sees the UFC as the place where the best opponents are. Oliveira fits that description. He is a former UFC lightweight champion, current BMF titleholder, fourth-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, and owns UFC records for most submission wins, finishes, and post-fight bonuses.
“I would like to fight the best fighters in the world,” Diaz said. “They’re in the UFC right now.”
When Helwani asked who Diaz wanted if it was not McGregor, Diaz went straight to Oliveira.
“Oliveira, out of everybody,” Diaz said.
Asked if Oliveira was the fight he wanted, Diaz answered directly.
“That’s what I wanted,” Diaz said. “That’s why I’m gonna go back and get that belt. I’m gonna fight this motherfucker.”
That matchup has real style value without forcing fake drama. Diaz is a third-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Cesar Gracie, while Oliveira has built one of the most dangerous finishing records in UFC history. The grappling threat alone sells the fight, especially after Oliveira already fired back at Diaz and McGregor in a separate back-and-forth.
Diaz still wants McGregor again, but he does not think the trilogy needed to be next.
“I want to fight Conor,” Diaz said. “But right now, it’s not the time. Everything’s about timing.”
Diaz also pushed back on the idea that the McGregor fight needs one specific platform or promotion to be massive.
“It’s bigger wherever the fuck it’s at,” Diaz said.
He made it clear the third McGregor fight remains on his list before his career is over.
“Before it’s all said and done, it has to happen,” Diaz said. “When the time is right, it’s gonna be right.”
Diaz is taking Perry while keeping the UFC door open. Oliveira was the fight that could have pulled him back in, and McGregor remains the trilogy fight Diaz says still has to happen.
“I’m ready to go forever,” Diaz said.
