Conor McGregor has thanked his nemesis for his support in his bid to return to the UFC.
Last Sunday, Nate Diaz offered McGregor a surprising St. Patrick's Day olive branch when he tweeted a message of solidarity with the former UFC two-division champion. In response to McGregor's growing frustration with little news about his return fight, Diaz called on the UFC to “free Conor” and expressed sympathy for the Irishman's plight. Considering he and Diaz share one of the most famous rivalries in MMA history, McGregor didn't expect his nemesis to be in his corner, but he I welcomed it.
“Nate's been great. We had a real, real fight when we shared consecutive knocks. That's a real fighter, those two brothers are real fighters,” McGregor said. . MMA hour.
“I've always had the highest respect for these two fighters, and shit, I was a fan of this young man. I was a fan of theirs, but then to share the Octagon with them… We fought wars and corralled each other. And thank you, thank you. [the support]. I always pray for his safety. I always want to see my past opponents, future opponents, and potential future opponents in action again.And what a monumental moment it will be when we get it [trilogy fight] end. So I'm really looking forward to it. ”
McGregor, 35, and Diaz, 38, infamously fought twice in 2016, with Diaz winning the fight via a rear-naked choke in the first bout, with McGregor claiming a rematch by majority decision. Eight years later, both fights at UFC 196 and UFC 202, respectively, remain two of the highest-grossing pay-per-view bouts in MMA history.
Diaz's message on St. Patrick's Day echoed McGregor's recent frustration over not having an official date for his return to the UFC. Diaz found himself in a similar situation at the end of his own UFC career. With only one fight left on his contract, Diaz had to fight publicly with the promotion to finally get his swan song at UFC 279 and become a free agent. McGregor currently has two fights left on his UFC contract, and Diaz couldn't help but notice the similarities between the two situations between his rivals.
This was me for years before Connor got here They want me dead before they let me out of my contract It's up to you to make something pop No one will help you but you.
Free Connor, this bitch is Patty's day ☘️ pic.twitter.com/X4WQVNV79X— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 17, 2024
“This is who I was for years before Connor got here. They want [you] die before that [you] Please take out these contracts. It's up to you to make something pop. No one will help you except you.
“Release Connor, that's [St.] Enjoy Patty's Day at this B****. ”
However, McGregor's fortunes appear to have changed in recent days. “The Notorious” told MMA Fighting's MMA hour On Wednesday, he announced that his UFC return fight against Michael Chandler has finally been confirmed for a summer date. McGregor said this fight is just the first phase of a two-phase plan that will allow him to compete twice in 2024, with the second bout taking place at UFC 306 on September 14th at The Sphere in Las Vegas. He said he is targeting his UFC debut.
McGregor previously hinted that his highly anticipated trilogy match with Diaz would headline UFC 306, but UFC CEO Dana White quickly shot down that idea.
McGregor isn't sure why.
“cold water, [White threw] Cool immediately with cold water,” McGregor said. “That's huge. For me, it's written all over The Sphere. Mexican Independence Day. Nate Diaz is a Mexican-American, a beloved fighter, a real fighter. Now he's Difficult to deal with young people [UFC executives]To be honest, I don't know the ins and outs. And I also know that they are difficult to deal with. So I think that's great and I think it's a good fit for me. I believe we can play two games this year, with dates starting in the summer and ending in September.''
