Yahoo Sports Nate Diaz defends Conor McGregor’s ‘good idea’ to pull out of UFC 303 fight vs. Michael Chandler
Although the rivals may not always see eye to eye, Nate Diaz is on Conor McGregor’s side regarding his decision to pull out of UFC 303 due to injury.
McGregor, who has won and lost against Diaz in their infamous UFC rivalry, has been on a collision course with Michael Chandler since Season 30 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” The fight was finally scheduled for International Fight Week at UFC 303, but a broken toe prompted McGregor to pull out.
While many have used the injury as an opportunity to take shots at McGregor, who hasn’t competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021, Diaz thinks the Irishman made the right move to wait until he’s healthy to return.
“I think it was just a minor thing,” Diaz told MMA Junkie. “I think they made a bigger deal out of it than it is. Good idea. If I get f*cked up, I would like to push the fight back too, but people f*cking freak out. I think I wouldn’t want to fight until I’m 100 percent ready to rock too, because in the past I’ve done all kinds of sh*t I shouldn’t have done.
“So, I think he learned from experience and all these inexperienced people out there talking sh*t, just speaking for their inexperience. They’re going to have to deal with the criticism until the fight gets done, but I think it’ll happen and it’ll all be good.”
Diaz is days away from sharing the boxing ring with Jorge Masvidal on July 6 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. It will be the pair’s second time sharing the canvas in combat sports; their first meeting took place at UFC 244 in 2019 for the inaugural BMF title fight.
If all goes well in his rematch with Masvidal, Diaz may look to finally secure a third meeting with McGregor, reigniting their rivalry that last saw the former two-division champion get his hand raised at UFC 202 to avenge a submission loss at UFC 196.
Diaz would have to work out a deal to return to the UFC, but McGregor, who is reportedly on the last fight of his current deal with the promotion, has spoken over the years about wanting the trilogy bout.
“Yeah, we’ll see what happens with time, you know?” Diaz said. “It depends on what happens with my fight, his fight, UFC. I ain’t a fortune teller, you know what I’m saying? We’ll see what happens.”
MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (right) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (right) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor reacts during UFC 196 at MGM Grand…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor reacts during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz reacts during UFC 196 at MGM Grand…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz reacts during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (right) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (right) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (left) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (left) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
Nate Diaz
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in with a punch against Conor…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in with a punch against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in with a punch against Conor…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in with a punch against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz lands a kick against Conor McGregor during…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz lands a kick against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor moves in for a punch against Nate…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor moves in for a punch against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz pins and lands punches against Conor McGregor…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz pins and lands punches against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz is tended to by trainers during UFC…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz is tended to by trainers during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (right) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (right) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) punches Nate Diaz in the face…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) punches Nate Diaz in the face during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor lands a punch against Nate Diaz during…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor lands a punch against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (right) reacts against Conor McGregor during UFC…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (right) reacts against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (right) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (right) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
Nate Diaz
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in for a punch against Conor…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in for a punch against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in for a punch against Conor…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in for a punch against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) punches Nate Diaz in the face…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (left) punches Nate Diaz in the face during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz lands a punch against Conor McGregor during…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz lands a punch against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (left) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (left) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (right) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (right) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (top) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (top) against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz lands punches against Conor McGregor during UFC…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz lands punches against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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UFC 196: McGregor v Diaz
Nate Diaz finishes Conor McGregor at UFC 196.
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor is tended to by a doctor during…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor is tended to by a doctor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates after his victory during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates after his victory during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates his victory by submission against Conor…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates his victory by submission against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor reacts following his loss against Nate Diaz…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor reacts following his loss against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates after his victory during UFC 196…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates after his victory during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz after his victory during UFC 196 at…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz after his victory during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor reacts following his loss against Nate Diaz…
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor reacts following his loss against Nate Diaz during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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