Nate Diaz has issued an ultimatum to the UFC to find him a new opponent - but has refused to accept a third fight with Conor McGregor.
The UFC star has yet to fight in the octagon since his defeat to Leon Edwards last June and has just one fight remaining on his current deal with the promotion. Company president Dana White believes a third instalment of Diaz's rivalry with McGregor would be the most likely option for the star.
Diaz, who recently asked to be released from his contract, has now revealed his latest frustrations on social media, tweeting: "I been trying to fight everybody and no go, what’s the hold up UFC? I’m not fighting Conor he sucks. I’ll fight some one quit slow rolling me please, thanks."
Diaz wanted to face Dustin Poirier and verbally agreed the deal with the American on social media, whom he was due to fight earlier in his career. Talks to stage a bout later collapsed with Diaz becoming increasingly frustrated with his lack of final opponent.
The 37-year-old has fought McGregor twice previously, with the American initially came out top with a submission victory in March 2016. McGregor gained his revenge by outpointing his rival later that year.
Diaz previously declared he would never touch gloves with McGregor again and his friend Yancy Medeiros confirmed his stance. "I think Nate is just popping off to make trouble," Medeiros explained. "I think the UFC have got to make him an offer he can't refuse or else he's going to fight out his contract.
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"How come he's telling UFC he'll fight Dustin and Dustin said he'll fight him but they're not making it happen? It's a great fight that would do views, but it's got to be more. Nate wants to fight his contract out because he wants to be a free agent. Why won't they let him fight the contract out? You can connect the dots and cross the 't's, dot the 'i's."
Several options could emerge for Diaz if he opts to leave the UFC and become a free agent. YouTube star Jake Paul has frequently called for a boxing bout between the pair and plans to make his own return to the ring in August. Medeiros has admitted Diaz may look at a ring debut to expand his brand.
"Nate just wanted to get out because look at what all the other fighters are doing," he continued. "Tyron Woodley and the rest are marketing their business and opening their brand. It's not about boxing and doing that, it's about widening their brand. Regardless of if Tyron Woodley won or lost, how much YouTube fans know that dude now? His fanbase is huge now."
