Nate Diaz still sees trilogy with 'f*cker' Conor McGregor happening - MMA Junkie

NEW YORK – More than a decade later, Nate Diaz still sees himself completing his trilogy with Conor McGregor.

Diaz (21-14) and McGregor (22-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC) split their two appearances in the octagon in 2016. Diaz scored an upset submission of McGregor at UFC 196 but was then edged out by majority decision in their rematch at UFC 202.

Diaz wasn't keen on the idea of welcoming McGregor back to the UFC after "The Notorious" broke his leg in July 2021 and took five years off. Instead, McGregor faced Max Holloway and tore his ACL just seconds into their UFC 329 fight. Diaz was asked that if McGregor getting injured in his comeback has changed his mind on fighting him again.

"Conor is a f*cker, but Conor is a fighter," Diaz told MMA Junkie at the Ki MMA launch event Monday. "He's someone you want to see. I'm not trying to kill him off. I'm not trying to be killed off by a guy trying to make a comeback. I'm trying to fight a big fight to move up in the fight program. I feel bad for him. I hope he does good. Positive vibes for the comeback. I'll start whooping ass and doing good, and then I'm going to whoop his ass."

With Diaz in attendance for the launch of Scott Coker's Ki MMA promotion, the Stockton star is open to competing there. He also doesn't mind a return to MVP but clarifieed that he is looking for quality fights.

McGregor has one fight left on his UFC contract, which could open the door for a trilogy bout with Diaz, who amicably parted ways with the UFC in 2022.