Nate Diaz Likely To Change Weight Classes After ‘UFC on Fox 7’
UFC lightweight Nate Diaz could be changing weight classes after his upcoming fight against Josh Thomson at UFC on Fox 7.
Diaz (16-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC), who currently fights at 155 pounds, could be heading back to the welterweight division (156 to 170 pounds), which he first fought in at UFC 111 on March 27, 2010 versus Rory Markham (16-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC). Diaz weighed in at the limit of 171 pounds, and Markham weighed in at 177, and the bout was changed to a catchweight fight. Diaz won the fight by TKO in the first round and said he would compete in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Diaz’s next welterweight fight was against Marcus Davis at UFC 118 on August 28, 2010. He won the fight by a guillotine choke in the final round, and the bout won “Fight of the Night.” He posted two welterweight losses to Dong Kyun Kim and Rory MacDonald before returning to the lightweight division, where he posted three consecutive wins to earn a shot at the title.
“I don’t think there’s anything for me at the lightweight division,” Diaz told MMA Junkie. “I already beat everyone at lightweight or I fought everyone already. The only person who beat me was Ben [Henderson], and Gil’s [Melendez] going to handle him Saturday. I’m going to sit around and fight the guys all over again? Boring. There’s no motivation in that. I’d rather fight someone new.”
The Henderson fight Diaz is referring to took place on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz. Henderson (18-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) won the fight by unanimous decision after five rounds and retained his lightweight championship. “El Nino” Melendez (21-2 MMA) will make his UFC debut against “Smooth” Henderson at UFC on Fox 7 on April 20.
Diaz said it is unlikely he will get a rematch against Henderson anytime soon, and figured it was time to explore different options.
“So unless they have something really cool to offer (at lightweight) or a really cool fight that would interest me … yeah, I’m out,” he said.
