Diaz, among the most well-known fighters in the UFC, told ESPN's Ariel Helwani at a movie interview published Tuesday that he wishes to combat high lightweight contenders Dustin Poirier or Charles Oliveira second, but at the welterweight division or in 165 lbs.
Diaz also said he would like to fight in 2021, at"minimum." He said he is prepared to fight around four occasions this season, if at all possible, and he would like his very first battle to be in April or May.
"I am prepared to do this show on the street. ... I am only hoping to get it moving," Diaz said.
Diaz hasn't fought since a reduction to Jorge Masvidal in UFC 244 at November 2019, and he collaborated in the Octagon just twice as his two-fight show with Conor McGregor at 2016. Poirier's TKO win over McGregor in UFC 257 final month captured Diaz's interest. He and Poirier were presumed to struggle 2018, but the bout fell apart.
Now, Diaz explained, could be the ideal time to rebook this competition.
"I am not gonna play with f--ing fine man like Conor McGregor only did ," Diaz said. "Conor simply walked him directly in for the shooting. I believe a struggle with me could be real, a serious situation due to him. I really don't believe he could sleep ."
Poirier may have a shot in the UFC lightweight name lined up a trilogy battle with McGregor. They're 1-1 against another. In case Poirier goes in this way, Diaz said he is interested in a struggle with Oliveira, who's coming from a dominant win over former lightweight winner Tony Ferguson.
However he wishes to confront someone coming off a success.
"I will fight that man. I enjoy the winners. ... I am trying to resist the men that are winning"
UFC president Dana White said last month that the advertising was hoping to put something up for Diaz in lightweight. However, Diaz said he does not need anything related to 155 lbs, calling it a"dead branch." He said he is prepared to fight everywhere from 165 to 190 lbs.
Diaz (20-12) is a cult favorite in MMA, having become part of several of the largest pay-per-view events from the game's history with McGregor double and Masvidal. The Stockton, California, indigenous defeat McGregor through second-round entry at UFC 196 at March 2016, also dropped to him five weeks later at UFC 202.
Against Masvidal, he dropped via TKO due to a cut (physician's stoppage) following the next round.
"I believe Oliveira is the very best fight at this time," Diaz said.
