Midnight Mania! Diaz vs. ‘Diamond’ … At Middleweight?

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Midnight Mania! Diaz vs. ‘Diamond’ … At Middleweight?

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Way back before Dustin Poirier socked up Conor McGregor (twice), “The Diamond” was supposed to raise his profile by facing Nate Diaz, quite possibly the next biggest name at 155 lbs. That was planned for 2018, but when negotiations got “crazy,” Poirier bailed and eventually found greener pastures. However, in the years since, Poirier has continued to maintain an interest in fighting Diaz, even when the title was potentially getting close.

Now that Poirier’s star is brighter than ever, Diaz has once again begun calling for the bout. Oddly enough, the longtime Lightweight and part-time Welterweight added in a request for the bout to take place at 185 lbs … where neither man has ever fought.

That certainly fits with Diaz’s previous “f—k a weight class” stance.

For his part, Poirier is willing to throw down with Diaz at any weight class, and he responded as such.

Though this match up would certainly draw a great number of eyes and pay-per-view (PPV) buys, it doesn’t seem that likely. It definitely won’t happen at Middleweight, as UFC President Dana White expressed earlier this year a desire to keep fighters in their usual weight classes ahead of the second McGregor vs. Poirier bout.

Realistically, both men have bigger fish to fry. Poirier has a Lightweight title to capture, whereas Diaz may just be the perfect opponent for McGregor’s eventual return from injury.

Not to say I wouldn’t watch these two throw down, but it doesn’t make a ton of sense.

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Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

https://www.mmamania.com/2021/7/16/22578862/midnight-mania-nate-diaz-dustin-poirier-middleweight-ufc-espn