Nate Diaz didn’t want his trilogy with Conor McGregor to be the Irishman’s return fight.

McGregor is likely to return this summer, but his opponent hasn’t been announced. Many fans wanted McGregor’s return fight to be against Diaz, as the two had a legendary rivalry for years, and they haven’t settled their trilogy yet.

However, Diaz is set to return to MMA on Saturday on the MVP card on Netflix as he will take on Mike Perry. According to Diaz, that was the plan as he didn’t want to be McGregor’s return fight.

“I know that (the UFC) wanted the Conor fight right now… and I’m like, I’m not trying to be a comeback story for Conor. I want Conor back, and then I want him to be fucking showing people he’s whipping ass. Then that’s the guy I want. I don’t wanna be fighting a guy that they don’t know about, because I know he’s gonna come back and do good. I don’t need him to do it on me,” Diaz said to Ariel Helwani.

Diaz not wanting the McGregor fight, as the Irishman’s comeback is interesting, but it does not make sense. If McGregor does return and looks impressive, the trilogy with Diaz still is a big fight. And, Diaz knows there fight sells no matter what, and don’t need McGregor’s comeback to sell it.

Nate Diaz only fighting ‘real fighters’

Although Nate Diaz didn’t want to be Conor McGregor’s return fight, he does hope the trilogy happens.

But, for now, Diaz is focused on his bout against Perry, as he said his goal is to fight real fighters only.

“I’m not fighting anybody who’s not a real fighter anymore because it’s devaluing,” Diaz said. “You take the loss — a decision loss, boring, waste of your time. I remember Nick fighting in Strikeforce and shit. He was fighting killers, people that were gonna knock you the fuck out. You had no choice but to have a good fight. Whether you take the ass whooping or give the ass whooping, it makes for an entertaining fight — a good fight. That’s what I want to watch if I’m watching a fight.”

Nate Diaz is 21-13 as a pro MMA fighter and last fought in MMA in September of 2022 when he beat Tony Ferguson by decision.

Do you think we will ever see Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor 3?