Former light-weight favourite, Nate Diaz has rekindled his rivalry with former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier for turning down the thought of taking up Paddy Pimblett in his potential retirement struggle — claiming the Liverpool grappler is a “better” fighter than his long-time foe.
Diaz, a former light-weight championship challenger, exited the promotion again in 2022, touchdown a late guillotine choke submission win over former interim champion, Tony Ferguson in an impromptu UFC 279 headliner on simply days’ discover.
Nevertheless, linked with a return to motion below the UFC umbrella within the years since, Nate Diaz has but to make good on a long-mooted comeback, most just lately taking up fellow veteran, Jorge Masvidal in knowledgeable boxing match — avenging a defeat in a detailed choice win.
As for Poirier, earlier this week, the Lafayette veteran confirmed he hoped to attain a big-name opponent for his potential remaining foray within the Octagon — relatively than a pairing with former Cage Warriors kingpin, Pimblett.
“It’s 100% not gonna be [against] Paddy Pimblett,” Dustin Poirier advised. “Legends only. I’m not gonna retire fighting Paddy Pimblett.”
Nate Diaz rips Dustin Poirier for enjoying down Paddy Pimblett matchup
And on his official Instagram Tales this week, Diaz fired again at Poirier’s enjoying down of a conflict with Pimblett — labelling him a “p*ssy” and suggesting the latter if an general “better” fighter than the veteran light-weight mainstay.
“Fight Paddy (Pimblett), p*ssy,” Nate Diaz posted in reply to Dustin Poirier. “He [is] better than you.”
Nate Diaz says Paddy Pimblett is healthier than Dustin Poirier, and calls Dustin a p*ssy for dismissing that struggle for his final dance.
By way of Nate Diaz’s IG. pic.twitter.com/dC0PEd6n0R
— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) February 11, 2025
As soon as slated to struggle Poirier on the principle card of UFC 230 at Madison Sq. Backyard, a pairing between the previous and Diaz fell to the wayside with each pointing the blame on one another for the scuppered matchup.
Sidelined since June of final 12 months, Louisiana fan-favorite, Poirier most just lately fell brief in his third undisputed title bid within the group, struggling an eventual fifth spherical D’Arce choke submission loss to pound-for-pound pacesetter, Islam Makhachev in Newark, New Jersey.
