Morning Report: Nate Diaz plans “to watch what happens in the next few months” before making next move

They say patience is a virtue, and if we’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s that Nate Diaz is never in a hurry.

In 2016, Diaz rose to mainstream prominence when he stepped in against Conor McGregor on short notice and choked out the then-featherweight champion, becoming an international sensation. The two rematched a few months later in what was, at the time, the biggest PPV event in UFC history. But when a trilogy fight didn’t materialize, Diaz was content to sit and wait it out, which he did for three years. Finally, last year, Diaz made his UFC return, beating Anthony Pettis and then calling out Jorge Masvidal and creating his own title in the process. But after losing the BMF belt to Masvidal at UFC 244, Diaz is once again in no rush to return to the cage.

“I want to watch what happens in the next few months,” Diaz told ESPN backstage at Bellator 238.

The next few months could be very interesting. McGregor just made his own return to the octagon, stopping Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds at UFC 246. It was a performance that had fans praising McGregor’s return to form and set up a number of potential fights for the former champ-champ but one that Diaz was not impressed with. After the fight Diaz tweeted “weak as f*ck” and at Bellator 238 he expounded on that analysis.

“Cowboy doesn’t care about winning and losing, so [McGregor] didn’t have a very hard fight on his hands,” Diaz said.

McGregor may well have a more difficult challenge on his hands next though. UFC President Dana White wants McGregor to face Khabib Nurmagomedov next (should Khabib beat Tony Ferguson at UFC 249) but McGregor would prefer to fight before then and has thrown out both Masvidal and Diaz as potential opponents in the interim. But while trilogy fight between Diaz and McGregor is certain to happen at some point, be it next or at some point in the future, that’s certainly not the only option available to Diaz. The BMF title creator is one of the biggest stars in the sport and would have his pick of the litter to choose from, whenever he chooses to return. But as for when that might be, the younger Diaz was as non-committal as ever.

“When the time is right,” Diaz said.

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Reaction. MMA community reacts to Kobe Bryant’s tragic death.

Results. Cris Cyborg crushes Julia Budd by fourth-round TKO to become Bellator champion.

Results. Curtis Blaydes stops Junior dos Santos in second round, calls for title shot.

Beef. Stephen A. Smith fires back at Joe Rogan over criticism for UFC 246 commentary; Conor McGregor offers his take.

Threematch. Daniel Cormier to Stipe Miocic: ‘Do the right thing and give me my rematch’.

Dramatic. Cris Cyborg felt like a ‘slave’ in the UFC, now she’s truly happy as Bellator champion.

Trafficking. Jiu-jitsu pioneer Relson Gracie charged with drug trafficking.

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Bellator highlights.

UFC 247 promo.

Izzy prepping for Yoel.

City Kickboxing Spyda training. They way they talk about this is crazy.

CM Punk not interested in Logan Paul callout.

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6th Round. Immediate post-fight analysis of UFC Raleigh.

Severe MMA. Discussing Conor McGregor’s future, Cris Cyborg, and UFC Raleigh.

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DC on Kobe.

Max on Kobe.

Impressive.

Nik Lentz’s statement.

I guess so.

Damn.

Kavanagh.

Matt Brown coming in heavy.

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Shanna Young (7-2) vs. Daiana Torquato (9-3); Invicta FC 39, Feb. 7.

Tina Pettigrew (1-0) vs. Monica Franco (1-0); Invicta FC 39, Feb. 7.

Shana Dobson (3-3) vs. Priscila Cachoeira (8-3); UFC Aukland, Feb 22.

Masanori Kanehara (27-13-5) vs. Victor Henry (19-4); Rizin 21, Feb 22.

Mikuru Asakura (13-1, 1 NC) vs. Daniel Salas (16-6-1); Rizin 21, Feb 22.

Naoki Inoue (12-2) vs. Trent Girdham (12-3); Rizin 21, Feb 22.

Amanda Ribas (8-1) vs. Randa Markos (10-7-1); UFC Brasilia, March 14.

Cyril Gane (6-0) vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-5); UFC 249, April 18.

Anthony Smith (32-14) vs. Glover Teixeira (30-7); UFC Lincoln, April 25.

Antonina Shevchenko (8-1) vs. Cynthia Calvillo (8-1-1); UFC Lincoln, April 25.

Evan Dunham (18-8-1) vs. Michael Johnson (19-15); UFC Lincoln, April 25.

Andrew Sanchez (11-5) vs. Zak Cummings (23-7); UFC Lincoln, April 25.

Anthony Rocco Martin (17-5) vs. David Zawada (17-5); UFC Lincoln, April 25.

Ryan Bader (27-5) vs. Vadim Nemkov (11-2); Bellator 243, May 9.

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Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

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