Insider: ‘Conor’s next MMA fight will be Nate Diaz Part 3’

While UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor is searching for a cross-promotional bout with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr., the division has begun to scramble for the lightweight belt.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson came close to fighting for the interim title in McGregor’s absence, but the fight fell apart when “The Eagle” was rushed to the hospital.

Now talks of Nate Diaz stepping into the octagon for a third bout with “Notorious” are beginning to surface. Previously, UFC President Dana White noted that he believes that Diaz is holding out for McGregor.

Since then, Diaz has come forward and countered White’s claim. Referencing White’s offer for Diaz to fight Eddie Alvarez, Diaz said over Twitter, “This [expletive] can’t stop making [expletive] up about me and I haven’t been offered any fights except the one laughed at.”

Now former UFC competitor Brendon Schaub has thrown his two cents into the fray.

“I think Nate Diaz, what he wants in the bigger play is the rematch trilogy with Conor McGregor for the belt at 155. I think the only thing that really gets Diaz out of bed is the belt and a huge payday, that’s probably not Tony Ferguson.”

Schaub went on to admit that he feels that Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor will be the next step for both fighters after McGregor takes on Floyd Mayweather. If the cross-promotional match never comes to fruition, Schaub believes Nate Diaz vs. McGregor is a likely destination for both fighters.