Nate Diaz has once again spoken about returning to mixed martial arts, and this time he has mentioned a very specific fighter. When asked who he might meet in his next outing, Diaz answered with a straightforward line.
“S…, I am looking at Pimblett. Probably Pimblett.”
The comment instantly gained attention because Diaz has spent the last two years outside the UFC, exploring other combat sports and pushing for a possible late career stretch in the promotion he spent most of his fighting life with.
Nate Diaz asked about his next fight: “I’m looking at Pimblett. Probably Pimblett.”
(via @NateDiaz209) pic.twitter.com/sN7gmh4TPl
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) December 12, 2025
Where Diaz Stands Today
Diaz’s most recent competitive appearance took place in a boxing ring in 2024, where he scored a majority decision over Jorge Masvidal. Their rivalry spanned two sports after Masvidal had beaten him years earlier in the UFC. Although Diaz enjoyed the moment and the atmosphere, the night ended in frustration when Fanmio failed to pay him nine million dollars, which soured him on working independently.
Since then, he has expressed interest in returning to the UFC. Diaz is now forty years old and has made it clear that if he is going to compete again in MMA, he wants the chance to close out his career with meaningful fights. The promotion has not given any indication that they are eager to book him, but Diaz keeps calling out names he finds interesting.
Why A Paddy Pimblett Fight Is Unrealistic Right Now
Paddy Pimblett is caught in his own demanding schedule. The popular Liverpool fighter is committed to a major matchup very soon. He is preparing to face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324 on Paramount Plus in January.
If Pimblett wins that contest, the UFC already has plans for him to meet Ilia Topuria during the summer to determine the official champion. This two fight path is important for the division. There is no reason for Pimblett to turn away from a championship run in order to entertain a fight with Diaz.
Why The UFC And Diaz Remain At Odds
Diaz has a complicated history with the organization. Although Dana White often speaks publicly about having respect for him, their final run together did not go smoothly. The UFC tried to line him up against Khamzat Chimaev multiple times which Diaz viewed as an attempt to damage his value before he exited the company.
Other tensions surfaced after Diaz boxed Jake Paul. Reports circulated that the promotion did not like fighters cooperating with Paul or with Most Valuable Promotions. Those concerns were echoed by Nakisa Bidarian, one of Jake Paul’s partners, who stated:
“There are fighters out there who have guidance from UFC that says, ‘Hey, if you fight with MVP or you fight Jake Paul, you are not welcome here anymore. You cannot come back, you cannot use the Performance Institute, and you will not be considered for future fights.’ That is the reality of how deeply angered they are with what we have been able to do. It is very anti competitive in many ways, from my perspective.”
That climate makes Diaz’s situation even more difficult. Even if Pimblett somehow became available, the UFC would still need to approve the matchup and decide whether they want to be in business with Diaz again.
Diaz is running out of time to secure the final opportunities he wants. A fight with Pimblett would likely attract attention, especially if Pimblett eventually takes a loss in his upcoming title attempt. However, both the timing and the political landscape inside the UFC make that scenario unlikely.
For now, Diaz continues to speak his mind, but there is no clear path to the matchup he is imagining.
