Nate Diaz criticizes Khabib Nurmagomedov for his reluctance to return to the UFC, calling the lightweight champion a ‘coward’ for not making a firm commitment to a comeback.
The undefeated Dagestani, 32, announced his shock retirement from the sport following his win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, with Dana White eager to get the mauler back in the octagon.
The UFC supremo held talks with Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi this week, and announced that the 155-pound king would return if he was left impressed by a ‘spectacular’ performance from either Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler or Dan Hooker at UFC 257 next Saturday night.
Nate Diaz has labelled Khabib Nurmagomedov a ‘p****’ after the UFC’s latest announcement
Dana White (left) revealed Khabib will consider coming out of retirement after UFC 257
Fans have been left divided over the ambiguous announcement, with many expecting White to announce Nurmagomedov’s return to action.
And Diaz, 35, has ridiculed the lightweight champion over his failure to commit to a UFC return.
‘Kabib [sic] is a p**** for real,’ the Stockton Slugger tweeted to his 1.6million followers on Saturday night.
The UFC supremo held talks with the lightweight king over a return in Abu Dhabi this week
If either Dustin Poirier (L) or Conor McGregor (R) impress with a ‘spectacular’ performance on Fight Island, Nurmagomedov will consider an octagon return to extend his unbeaten record
Nurmagomedov will be in attendance to take in McGregor’s return to UFC action in his highly-anticipated rematch with Poirier on Fight Island.
Both lightweight contenders have been beaten by the Dagestani, with the Notorious eager to avenge his 2018 defeat to his arch rival this year.
The Irishman this week opined that Nurmagomedov is ‘afraid’ to step inside the octagon with him once more, insisting that he has the blueprint to hand The Eagle his first ever MMA defeat.
The Stockton Slugger shared his thoughts on the lightweight champion on social media
Fan-favourite Diaz has not fought in the UFC since losing to Jorge Masvidal in November 2019
‘I think he’s afraid to fight me. That’s for damn sure. And I don’t blame him. I know exactly what to face,’ he told ESPN.
‘I fought the best of him that night, he fought the worst of me on that night. He knows it, I know it, his team knows it.
‘I’ve the answer to destroy that man. He can pull the wool over people’s eyes for only so long.’
Diaz has not fought since November 2019, when he lost to Jorge Masvidal for the BMF title at Madison Square Garden.
