Nate Diaz hasn’t been seen in the Octagon since dropping a decision to UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor at UFC 202.
MMA fans everywhere did see Diaz in a promotional spot for the film “Fist Fight,” a spot that saw him spar with film star Charlie Day. According to Diaz, the UFC wanted either McGregor or the returning Georges St. Pierre to take his place in the commercial.
"The UFC is like, ‘We're thinking GSP or Conor McGregor,' " Diaz said to USA Today. "My guy said, ‘Don't worry, we're going to use Nate.' They came back to say, ‘We really think you should use GSP or Conor.' I don't know what it is. I'm not a white boy with blue eyes or great looking, I talk all (messed) up. I'm not the look they're going for, but this is fighting. You don't go for a look. You go for the baddest that's out there. This is an example of my whole career."
The film has been a commercial success since being released a few weeks ago. A perceived lack of respect by the UFC is the reason that Nate doesn’t get behind the promotion.
“They try to shut us down. With Conor, they made a star out of him. They have never done that for me. I’m still here after all the holding back I’ve been through. They’ve never put my name on a pedestal. If they had my back the whole way, I’d be like, ‘UFC, all day, don’t be dissing my company like that,’ but why would I do that for a company that does this?,” says Nate.
Nate hasn't competed since his UFC 202 loss to Conor McGregor.
