UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley has been claiming in recent days that he is willing to fight Nate Diaz next month at UFC 219.
Richard Perez is the longtime boxing coach for Diaz and he says that the fighter should be getting $15 Million for fighting Woodley.
“15 million (dollars) easy. Easy. 'Cause, I mean, he’s a star right now,” Perez said on Submission Radio. "I mean, McGregor can’t even fight right now, he got suspended. And Woodley’s trying to fight everybody. He says McGregor doesn’t want to fight him, he says BJ Penn (sic) doesn’t want to fight him. He’s naming all these people that don’t want to fight him, you know, cause he’s trying to get his name, he’s trying to get up there, and nobody wants to (fight him). I mean, he’s got the belt. So what? The belt don’t mean nothing anymore. It’s about who you’re fighting (if you want) to make the money.”
Diaz hasn’t been seen in the Octagon since suffering a decision loss to UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor at UFC 202.
If the fight were to come together, the longtime boxing coach predicts Diaz would defeat the UFC Welterweight Champion.
“Well, to be honest with you,” Perez said. "I know Nathan would beat him because he’s not... Woodley’s – see, he’s fought guys like Robbie Lawler. Robbie Lawler wasn’t expecting that, he wasn’t expecting for Woodley to just come out and throw, and he kind of closed up a little bit, Robbie Lawler. Nathan won’t. Like I said, when he’s in tip top and not hurt, he’ll go out there and he’ll box him, he’ll outbox Woodley. Woodley, sure he’s fast, but he don’t have the reach, and Nathan’s fast too. Believe me, when he’s throwing combinations good, he’ll nail them. And if it goes on the ground, Woodley doesn’t have a chance.”
UFC 219 takes place on Saturday, December 30 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with no main event announced at this time. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
