Stockton, California — Nate Diaz is eyeing a return to the UFC, expressing a desire to engage in what he describes as “real action” fights. The former lightweight contender revealed that he has three potential opponents on his radar: Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Mike Perry.

Diaz’s last bout took place in July 2024, where he secured a majority decision victory over Jorge Masvidal in a boxing match, rekindling their rivalry that began in the UFC. Before that, he last fought under the UFC banner in September 2022, when he submitted Tony Ferguson in his final appearance with the promotion.

In a recent interview on the red carpet, Diaz stated, “I’m ready to get back in real action. I want to fight either McGregor a third time, maybe go head-to-head with Dustin Poirier if he opts for a more competitive path, and Mike Perry is also on my list.” The possibility of facing these formidable fighters adds intrigue to his potential comeback.

Diaz and McGregor have previously squared off twice, with each fighter claiming a victory. However, McGregor has not stepped into the octagon since he was defeated by Poirier in July 2021. Meanwhile, Poirier, who experienced setbacks in his latest title fights, is looking for a fresh start after being finished by Islam Makhachev and losing a decision to BMF titleholder Max Holloway.

Mike Perry, after parting ways with the UFC in 2021, has carved out a successful career in bare-knuckle boxing, going undefeated in six fights. He has claimed victories against notable opponents like Eddie Alvarez and Luke Rockhold. Perry also explored boxing but faced a setback when he was knocked out by Jake Paul.

Diaz is not just focused on competitive matches; he is also interested in grand events to elevate his profile. He mentioned the anticipated UFC show scheduled for June 14, hinting at excitement for the potential of participating in such a significant event. “That would be dope, too,” Diaz commented when asked about the opportunity.

Poirier, aware of Diaz’s remarks, took to Twitter to share his thoughts, while Diaz wasted no time responding on social media, referencing a previous planned fight against Poirier that never came to fruition.

The landscape of the UFC is ever-evolving, and with Diaz’s eagerness to step back into the ring, fans can look forward to an exciting chapter in his storied career. As negotiations and the prospect of matchups unfold, all eyes will be on these fighters as they navigate their paths ahead, with Diaz leading the charge for the kind of high-stakes action he craves.