Following his fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279, Nate Diaz became a free agent for the first time since signing with the UFC 15 years ago.
Despite only fighting four times over the last six years, Nate Diaz has continued to be one of the most popular mixed martial artists and is sure to get attention from multiple outlets interested in signing the Stockton, Cali native. However, those suitors may have to stay patient per a report from MMA journalist Ariel Helwani. ‘The MMA Hour’ host recently revealed that Nate Diaz is in the middle of a 90-day no-compete clause that was attached to his UFC contract.
Not only is Diaz unable to compete for another promotion, but he’s also not allowed to speak to another organization until that three-month waiting period has officially expired.
“A note on any story about a promotion/promotion talking to Nathan Diaz right now, don’t believe it,” Ariel Helwani stated on Twitter. “Not true. It’s actually illegal. Diaz is in an exclusive three-month negotiation period with the UFC. Meaning he can’t talk to anyone. And he hasn’t talked to anyone.”
A note on any story about a promoter/promotion talking to Nathan Diaz right now: don’t believe it. Not true. It’s actually illegal.
Diaz is in an exclusive three-month negotiation period with the UFC. Meaning he can’t talk to anyone. And he hasn’t talked to anyone.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 22, 2022
Bellator CEO Scott Coker Claims That He Has Had Discussions With Nate Diaz
Following his final appearance for the UFC on September 10th, everyone has shown an interest in doing business with Nate Diaz. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship founder David Feldman along with his prized star ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry have both expressed an interest in welcoming Diaz to the squared circle. Also commenting on his desire to work with the Stockton Samurai is Bellator MMA CEO Scott Coker.
Coker even claimed that he had been in contact with Nate Diaz recently. If that is true, both Diaz and Coker could be in violation of Diaz’s last UFC contract.
It should be noted that the UFC can opt to waive the clause preventing Nate Diaz from speaking to other promotions, but Ariel Helwani followed up on his initial comments stating the UFC has not waived that stipulation.
“This is standard procedure, btw. Every UFC deal has this baked in. So, unless they wave it, which they have in the past, there’s no talking to anyone out there. And they haven’t waived it.”
This is standard procedure, btw. Every UFC deal has this baked in. So, unless they wave it, which they have in the past, there’s no talking to anyone out there. And they haven’t waived it.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 22, 2022
