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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Harry Davies

Nate Diaz rules out third Conor McGregor fight with retirement decision

Nate Diaz is not interested in a trilogy with Conor McGregor after calling out Dustin Poirier again for his "retirement fight".

Diaz and Poirier have been calling for a fight since 'The Diamond' was submitted by lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 269 in December.

Poirier pondered retirement after missing out on the lightweight title for the second time, but backtracked on his plans for a fight with Diaz.

The pair were booked to meet in a welterweight clash at UFC 230 in 2018, but Poirier pulled out with an injury and the fight was never rescheduled.

And Diaz has continued to push for the bout whilst blaming Poirier for the stalled negotiations.

Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor have fought twice before (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“I would like to fight Dustin Poirier. Like now,” Diaz said. “Like I’ve been trying to. If there’s any mix-up it’s him, and them, and the game," he told TMZ.

"I want the fight now. What’s up Dana White? Let’s get this retirement fight cracking so I can get out of this fight game. I’m done with it.”

But Poirier isn't buying Diaz's retirement comments and said he is ready to accept the fight.

"I don't believe that. Nate, he's got that dog in him and he's going to fight forever. I believe he has a lot of fight left in him, but no telling what his plans are," he said at UFC 271.

"I want the fight and I think he wants it as well. On my side, let's go. On his side and the UFC, they've got to get it figured out but I'm ready to rock."

If Diaz - who is one of the longest-serving fighters on the UFC roster - is to fight Poirier and call it quits, it would be the end of his 15-year stint in the promotion.

Who wins - Dustin Poirier or Nate Diaz? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below

During that run, Diaz has fought for the lightweight title, inaugural 'BMF' title and accumulated 15 performance bonuses.

And Poirier is confident a clash against fan favourite Diaz can be agreed on for the summer.

"I think there's a good chance it's gonna happen. I think summer is probably a good target if I would put it on the calendar," Poirier continued.

"I have a good feeling it's going to happen. I'm not sure if I want to stay at 170-pounds, but I just want to be in fights that mean something for me.

"Nate's a guy I grew up watching fight. I respect him and his brother, I think stylistically it's fun for the fans, this is a Fight of the Year type of fight and those are the fights I want to be a part of it."

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