Diaz Targets Poirier, Oliveira For 2021 Return

Not seen since losing to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244, the “Top 5 pay-per-view draw” has no desire to waste his time against fighters coming off losses, like Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.

Longtime UFC lightweight contender Nate Diaz, who also does work in the welterweight division, is planning to make his return to competition at some point in April or May, where he hopes to make an immediate impact upon return.

The means to that end?

Taking out one (or both) of the top contenders in his division, like No. 3-ranked Charles Oliveira and No. 1-ranked Dustin Poirier. Just don’t expect Diaz (20-12) to be handing over victories to “The Diamond” if and when they hook ‘em up later this year.

In a fight that makes “no sense” for the division.

“I like the winners,” Diaz told ESPN. “I’m trying to fight the guys who are winning. I think Oliveira is the best fight right now. And Dustin Poirier. I’m not gonna play fucking nice guy like Conor McGregor just did with him. Conor just walked him right in for the taking. I think a fight with me would be more real, a more serious situation for him. I don’t think he could sleep with that.”

Poirier (27-6, 1 NC) was supposed to throw hands with the Stockton slapper in a 2018 bout that never materialized, likely because of the “crazy” negotiations that made Diaz “hard to deal with.” Fortunately for UFC fans, that wasn’t enough to keep “The Diamond” from trying again.

A decisive win over McGregor lets you make those kinds of choices.

As for Oliveira (30-8, 1 NC), his priority is fighting for the lightweight title, which explains why he turned down a Michael Chandler fight on short notice. “Do Bronx” is the winner of eight straight with seven finishes, including last December’s nod over Tony Ferguson.

I guess I’m the only one who thinks Diaz would be better off fighting this guy.