It’s not like the Diaz brothers to be difficult.
In reality, UFC president Dana White will be only too aware of the tendency of both Nick and Nate to hold their ground.
White is currently working hard to book both Diaz brothers for a fight but, surprise surprise, a deal has yet to be done.
We already knew that the UFC had failed to get Nick Diaz signed to a comeback tilt, with reports that the former Strikeforce welterweight champion had rejected the opportunity to rematch Robbie Lawler, as well as the chance to fight Demian Maia in what would amount to a 170lbs title eliminator.
Holding out for gold https://t.co/eQQCFbhTcB
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 3, 2017
But alas, Nick Diaz is without a fight and his younger brother seems to be similarly reluctant to sign a bout agreement.
“We just offered Nate Diaz a fight, and we’re waiting to hear back from him, so we’ll see,” White told USA TODAY Sports.
“These guys say they want a fight – I offered Nick Diaz two fights. He turned down two fights.
“I offered him Robbie Lawler. Robbie Lawler accepted the fight. Then I offered him Demian Maia. Nick Diaz turned down two fights. And then we just offered Nate a fight.”
Nick Diaz hasn’t fought in over two years, having served an 18 month suspension following a failed drug test for marijuana metabolites, while Nate Diaz last competed against Conor McGregor in August, when he came up short in a majority decision.
The younger of the Stockton siblings has insisted that he will hold out for the lucrative realisation of a trilogy with the Irishman and has, like McGregor, hinted at the possibility of a professional boxing debut.
And given the difficulty the UFC is having in getting the Diaz brothers into the Octagon, White fielded a question about who has historically been the toughest fighter to deal with.
“The most difficult to get into the octagon? Right now, it’s the Diaz brothers – right here, right now,” White said. “But throughout history? I don’t know.”
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