UFC: Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz ‘running out of time’ for trilogy, says Chael Sonnen
- MMA analyst and former UFC title challenger believes expiration date is nearing for a third instalment of lucrative rivalry
- ‘We’re not just going to have Conor and Nate for the next 10 years,’ Sonnen says
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes the UFC must book a third fight between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz soon, or risk losing the opportunity forever.
McGregor and Diaz, 33 and 36 respectively, first met at welterweight in March 2016. Diaz won that fight by second-round submission, handing the Irishman his first loss in the Octagon. The pair then engaged in an immediate rematch the following August. McGregor won that battle, which is still regarded as one of the best in UFC history, by majority decision after five thrilling rounds.
The foundation for a tiebreaking third fight between the pair has existed ever since, but the UFC has seemingly been waiting for the right moment. According to Sonnen, a three-time UFC title challenger, that moment could end up passing the promotion by.
“What about Nate?” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel, discussing the option for McGregor’s next fight. “I mean Nate is always the ace up the sleeve of everybody.
“Dana [White, UFC president] would even talk about that, and say ‘it doesn’t matter what the time is, it doesn’t matter where the times are going, I can always make that fight.’ He’s right.
“But even Dana has to subscribe to the problems and the theory of time, which could be running out. We’re not just going to have Conor for the next 10 years. We’re not going to have Nate for the next 10 years.”
Diaz (20-13) last fought in June, when he lost a decision to Leon Edwards at welterweight. That loss was preceded by a stoppage at the hands of Jorge Masvidal, also at welterweight, in late 2019.
