Jake Paul has told the UFC to "free Nate Diaz" so that he can fight him in August after the veteran welterweight demanded his release from the promotion.
Diaz took to social media on Saturday to demand the UFC release him from his contract, despite him having one more fight on his deal.
The 36-year-old won The Ultimate Fighter in 2007 and went on to become a mainstay in the leading MMA promotion. He lost his only title challenge when he was outpointed by Benson Henderson but went on to be involved in a succession of exciting bouts, including two against Conor McGregor.
Diaz was outpointed by Britain's Leon Edwards in is most recent appearance last summer and has long been expected to face Dustin Poirier in his farewell bout. But his apparent frustration with the UFC's matchmaking led him to lash out on social media.
"I would like to request to be released from the UFC. I apologise for asking online but you don’t give me a fight ASAP I got s*** to do," he wrote. The promotion's president Dana White is unlikely to agree to his request - but if he were to, Paul would be waiting in the wings for a potential clash in the boxing ring.
Having amassed a record of 5-0 as a professional, Paul announced this week that he will return to the ring in August. And the YouTuber wasted little time in taking to social media to tweet: "Free Nate Diaz" followed later by "August". Another of Diaz's potential opponents - albeit in the UFC - Dustin Poirier, had earlier tweeted the same. He and Diaz verbally agreed to a bout late last year but a deal was never struck.
"I would like to fight Dustin Poirier now, next month when things change or people win and start doing something fun, everything will be different I'm sure," Diaz said earlier this year. He also recently opened the door to a third fight with McGregor, although the Irishman is still recovering from the broken leg he suffered against Poirier last summer.
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"I’ll fight Conor’s dumb ass right now,"Diaz said. “But he ain’t capable now or this year. P.S., all you UFC fighters need to stop getting arrested for stupid s***. You’re acting like animals, irresponsible little kids, get your s*** together. Drive safe please and act right. F***."
Diaz was referring to McGregor's arrest for alleged dangerous driving earlier this week. The Irishman is due to appear in court next month and is expected to return to the cage in late summer. He gave short shrift to Diaz's call-out, tweeting: "Ye, cool pal".
