Top pay-per-view star willing to welcome Nate Diaz after the UFC 314 bout: “I’d Nashville slap Nathan”

Former UFC lightweight contender Nate Diaz has hinted at the possibility of returning to the promotion amid the rumors. His last bout was against Tony Ferguson, which the American fighter won by submission. Diaz came into the limelight of the MMA community when he secured a win against Conor McGregor at UFC 196, but later on lost the rematch at UFC 202. Upon these speculations, Michael Chandler, one of the top pay-per-view stars of the UFC, has expressed his interest in facing the American fighter after the former’s bout against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314.
The UFC 314 bout will mark the return of Michael Chandler after his long wait to face Conor McGregor since their cancelled fight at the UFC 303. McGregor’s fighting career seems to have stopped ever since his leg injury against Dustin Poirier. While Chandler was still hopeful that The Notorious would return someday to the Octagon, however, the latter’s enhanced interest in the political venture has kept the bout possibility at a halt. Following this, Chandler, instead of waiting further for McGregor, is now preparing for a comeback from his last defeat at the UFC 309 against Charles Oliveira with a bout against Pimblett.
Both the fighters have their agendas for winning the fixture, as expressed through their recent interviews and posts. While Pimblett is hopeful of facing Oliveira next after the bout with Chandler and eventually securing a title run in 2026, Chandler, in his recent post on X, has expressed his desire to welcome Nate Diaz upon his return to the Octagon.
On a thread “#askmeanything #ama”, Chandler was asked by a fan.
“If you beat Paddy how do you feel about fighting Nate Diaz?”

To this, the fighter replied, stating
“I’d Nashville slap Nathan.”

While Diaz walked away from UFC to explore the boxing arena and other ventures, it was kind of more like a layoff from his MMA career. Now, with the rumours being spread about his return, fans are speculating if a potential bout could be fixed between Diaz and McGregor, resulting in a trilogy.
Diaz’s return to the UFC was delayed owing to the lack of MMA stars who could face him or result in the bout being an appropriately entertaining fight.
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Meanwhile, all eyes are on the UFC 314 co-main card between Paddy Pimblett and Michael Chandler. A win for Chandler would legitimize his position as the top pay-per-view fighter in the league. This would mark one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history.