--- title: "Diaz wants trilogy on his terms, not McGregor’s comeback script" description: "Nate Diaz keeps the trilogy door cracked for McGregor but draws a clear line: he won’t be a supporting actor in the UFC’s comeback playbook." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/nate-diaz-still-interested-in-conormcgregor-trilogy-but-not-mp334eob published: 2026-05-12T14:48:00+00:00 updated: 2026-05-13T12:48:38.858+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["mma"] --- # Diaz wants trilogy on his terms, not McGregor’s comeback script > Nate Diaz keeps the trilogy door cracked for McGregor but draws a clear line: he won’t be a supporting actor in the UFC’s comeback playbook. Nate Diaz is open to a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor, but only on his own terms. Diaz made it clear he has no interest in being part of McGregor’s comeback narrative, signaling a refusal to play a supporting role in the UFC’s storytelling. His blunt stance underscores a desire for independence in the fight game, emphasizing that his career path comes first. The comments revive the long-simmering tension between the two fighters and set the stage for a potential showdown that hinges entirely on Diaz’s conditions. Diaz’s remarks follow years of rivalry and a single, chaotic welterweight bout in 2021 that ended in a majority draw. Since then, McGregor has pursued ventures outside the octagon, while Diaz has remained selective with his fights. The trilogy talk resurfaces periodically, but Diaz’s latest comments suggest he’s in no rush to re-enter the UFC’s promotional machinery. His refusal to be slotted into McGregor’s comeback arc complicates negotiations and shifts leverage back to Diaz. The dynamic exposes the UFC’s reliance on star-driven narratives to fuel interest, especially for comebacks. Diaz’s stance forces the promotion to either accommodate his timeline or risk losing the trilogy altogether. For fans, it’s a reminder that the most compelling fights are often the ones dictated by ego, principle, and stubbornness rather than the UFC’s script. ## Why this matters The potential Diaz-McGregor trilogy is catnip for MMA audiences, but Diaz’s refusal to be McGregor’s comeback prop elevates the stakes. It highlights the tension between fighter autonomy and UFC storytelling, where comebacks are often packaged as must-see events. Diaz’s stance could force the UFC to negotiate on his terms, or risk losing the trilogy entirely. For the sport, it’s a rare moment where a fighter’s independence clashes with the promotion’s narrative control, making the outcome as much about power as it is about punches. ## Frequently asked ### Has Nate Diaz officially agreed to a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor? No. Diaz has kept the door open in principle but has not signed anything. His comments emphasize conditions—namely, that the fight happens on his timeline and not as part of McGregor’s comeback narrative. ### Why does Diaz refuse to be part of McGregor’s comeback story? Diaz has made it clear he wants to control his own career path. He sees McGregor’s comeback as a UFC-driven narrative and has no interest in playing a supporting role in it, preferring to focus on his own priorities first. ### How does this affect UFC’s plans for McGregor’s return? Diaz’s stance complicates the UFC’s ability to package McGregor’s comeback as a marquee event. If the trilogy doesn’t materialize on Diaz’s terms, the UFC may need to pivot to alternative matchups to sustain interest in McGregor’s return. ### What’s the history between Diaz and McGregor? The two fought once in 2021 at welterweight, ending in a majority draw. Their rivalry dates back to their first fight in 2016, a lightweight bout where McGregor won by majority decision. The trilogy talk has persisted since, but Diaz has always set conditions. ### Could this trilogy happen outside the UFC? Diaz’s comments don’t rule out a non-UFC trilogy, but the UFC’s promotional reach and McGregor’s history with the organization make it the most likely platform. Diaz’s independence could push the fight to an alternative league, though that remains speculative. ## Sources & Citations - [Nate Diaz still interested in ConorMcGregor trilogy but not in the UFC: “I’m not trying to be part of his fucking comeback story. Why don’t you come back & do your thing and I'll do my thing, and then we’ll have our trilogy. Let him make his comeback & then I'll go beat his ass”](https://www.reddit.com/r/MMA/comments/1tb3u8q/nate_diaz_still_interested_in_conormcgregor/) — r/MMA (2026-05-12) --- Cite: Diaz wants trilogy on his terms, not McGregor’s comeback script. Sportopod, 2026-05-12. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/nate-diaz-still-interested-in-conormcgregor-trilogy-but-not-mp334eob