MMA Fighting - Nate Diaz Responds to Dustin Poirier, Talks Conor McGregor Trilogy and Why He Has No Beef with Mike Perry

Episode Date: May 11, 2026

In this exclusive interview, Nate Diaz previews his upcoming fight against Mike Perry and why there hasn’t been any bad blood between them leading up to the Rousey vs. Carano card. Diaz also explains why he passed on a potential Conor McGregor trilogy but still expects that third fight to happen sometime in the future. Diaz also fires back at Charles Oliveria, his interest in returning to the UFC and he responds to Dustin Poirier after Poirier said he would come out of retirement only to fight Diaz. Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by FedEx. These days, the Power Move isn't having a big metallic credit card to drop on the check at a corporate lunch. The real Power Move is leveling up your business with FedEx intelligence and accessing one of the biggest data networks powered by one of the biggest delivery networks. Level up your business with FedEx, the new Power Move. network. The Rhonda Rousey, Gina Carano card now just days away, and I couldn't imagine a better way to kick off Fight Week than a conversation with the man who I believe was actually fighting in the real main event on Saturday, the fight I'm most excited about. He's taken on Mike Perry in the co-main event on the card airing on Netflix this Saturday night, starting at 9 p.m. Eastern.

I had a chance to catch up with Nate Diaz. I haven't talked to Nate one-on-one in quite a while, but obviously very excited for his comeback to M.MA and fighting Mike Perry. We talk about that. We talk about the Connor McGregor situation, the UFC. He responds to Dustin Porre. We talked to Charles Olivera, bad blood, all kinds of good stuff. It was great to catch up with Nate. So enjoy this one-on-one interview with Nate Diaz

as he gets ready to fight Mike Perry this Saturday night for MVP. Here's Nate Diaz. Nate, what's going on, man? How are you? I'm good. How are you doing? I'm fantastic, man. I appreciate jumping on me tonight.

How's everything, man? Obviously, fight basically just a week away now. Yeah, it's time. It's time. I know you never really stopped training, but when you were doing box, did you miss MMA or is it harder getting back into MMA full time? It was a lot easier to prep for and you're ready for, so I didn't miss having to do it, but I stayed active in everything. I touch everything pretty consistently.

but now that I'm doing it and I'm full in full camp it's a fucking rough ride compared to my I was gonna say man you're having so you're having so much in boxing like I honestly wonder like would you ever do MMA again yeah no it felt like I was cheating the system

it felt like I was like it felt like I would have like access to the fucking to the fucking money box in the fucking bosses group you know what I'm Yeah. Before this fight came about, like, we'd all heard, like, there was going to be boxing opportunities. Like, when you got this offer, were you surprised? Did you kind of see it coming?

Like... Best option for the time for the moment? Yeah. And listen, I think you mentioned, like, this is probably the biggest fight you could get outside the UFC. Mike Perry's obviously been doing very, very well in BKFC. So, I mean, you had to be pretty excited with this guy. And I assume you're getting paid well, so it's got like a good combo. Not to mention that he's the biggest name outside of the UFC doing things, like how I'm trying to do. And that's what fighters should be doing.

And we could say an example, I believe, like I was already trying to do, but it takes two to tango. And there's not much out there. And then not to mention they got the Netflix combined with it, too, so that's two for one, you know? Absolutely, absolutely. And listen, I mean, you were a guy, you know, you were kind of fighting for this for a long time. you wanted to do things outside the UFC, when you finally got your freedom, like, do you feel like this has been the best thing you've been able to do between your boxing matches and now doing this?

Like, you're not really tied to any one thing. You've got to do your own thing. Yeah, it beats out there doing it. I come with time and learning, and I think people need to speed it up step on the fucking gas and get controlled their careers and their shit and understand what's really going on here, you know? Yeah. I know, I know, I know Rhonda's been going pretty hard to the UFC, but I know, like, anytime, you know, Dana's asked about you, always says great things about you.

What is your relationship with the UFC right now? Yeah, well, I think they can be, but I think they, they're not happy with it either. Because I'm not business, you know, and they got the, it's the other fucking, the other show. But I did too much to get out, too much while I was in to get out. And it's kind of hard to just jump back in when it's not that much on the inside for me at the moment. Yeah, I'm not going to make you get into like contract or money and stuff, but I kind of assume like if the UFC brought you back, they're not going to bring you back on a one fight deal, right? Like, they're going to want you to sign a multi-fight deal again. At least I assume that's like how you'd have to go back there.

Yeah, they wanted to fight in the UFC right now, you know? Because I want to, the thing about the U.S. They got the best of the best, and I'm still interested in fighting the best fighters, and I still want to fight for a title, and I still want to do the best shit you can do. I don't want to just hop around the U.C to play around. and waste nobody's time. So when either people need to take action, get out on their own and do stuff and make their own stuff, like, on the inside, it's like, if there were whole more people in there for me, that's not really sparks interest in there that much, you know, at the moment.

But you know what you can see it, they pop up. Yeah, absolutely. And Nate, like, obviously, you've been a part of some of the biggest rivalries in the sport. I would say the biggest rivalry ever, you and Connor that was such an epic rivalry. But you and Mike, you know, been pretty cordial, no bad blood, really? Like, was that just like you don't really have a problem with him? Is it just been, like, you just really haven't felt like you need to go after him yet, or maybe it'll ratchet up this week a little bit?

Well, everything is because I'm a professional fighter. That's a real feeling. That's a real thing. And that's really, I have to fuck Conner. You know what I'm saying? When I was fighting, I don't have a little more problem for that. And it's me and Mike coming in, the New Sea, and I see them come in, and we were on a sit-boss a couple times, they've been around each other. And we never have a number one spot.

And that's outside of the U.C., me and them are the number one guys. And I'm here to take that spot. I'm not going to just make up an artificial beef for fucking people's entertainment and to do a... You want to watch real athletes out of the U.S. do the thing, this is what you're going to see. And if you want to get on some good and shit and get all, that's what I do anyway. I'm not trying to do that.

But if it were to happen, that's what happened. Official beef, we've already seen each other cross past her alone by any means. Make up some bullshit. I get out of this like a professional like I am. And go out there and get the job done and make the best motherfucker win. I love it. It's funny, Nate. I tell people, like, if you ever get around Nate Diaz, like, because I remember being in strike force with Jake and that whole giant May and Miller thing, guys, like, if you actually get around the Diaz guys, like, they're actually really, really nice guys. Just don't cross them. Don't mess with him. Don't piss them off. And you'll be totally cool.

But like I said, when they felt when, like, the robbery shit, like when Connor came, like, what can he say to me? I've been around longer than him. I thought better. Watch him. He has to know him. So he can't talk to me like he talks and told these other guys. This guy just spit it on me just like he did everybody. And then it was like, fuck you. So that created a real rivalry. But that's a real feeling. And I'm down for that if that's what it is. But I'm not big, because I can smell artificial bullshit and people try to sell a fight from all the way.

And what I'm selling is watch the best motherfucker win. That's what I'm talking about. And I don't need to do all that. But if anybody, that's what I do, so I'm giving on. Well, what's funny is when this fight got a massive, you know, Rhonda and Gina, great fight. Obviously, Francis is a legend, but like, it feels like you and Mike is like, you know, kind of like the people's main event. It's the one everyone's else, you know, is getting really excited for. Have you kind of felt that in the lead up to this?

It's the most well as fight you can do it for everybody. I think I'm going to do the best that I can and I can and work both whether you think you're going to try to want a decision. Look, I don't know how to do that. Yeah, I mean, this is going to be, this is going to be a battle, you know, it's going to be a battle from start to finish until one of you all gets finished. And I assume you're looking to go out there and either knockout or choke out Mike Perry. And I know you said, like, when this came about, everyone asked you about, oh, what

about the Connor fight? You said, you know, you want to fight the real dudes. You want to fight tougher competition. You didn't want to be the guy put a nail in Conner's golf. Can I just ask you, honestly, like, do you feel like that fight is just done? Like, that robbery's done just because of where you're at in your career and where Conner's at? Well, I'm a real,

and still good. He's great. He's fucking everything he says he is and what U.S. did and all that. But I'm not going to, I'm not going to love to fucking test that out on me. And I'm not, I get a part of this fucking Carter McGregor comeback.

I'm gonna finish them off. I don't want to get finished off. I'm like, why you come back and do your thing? And when you're doing the thing, and I'm doing my thing, then we're fucking that you owe me from a long time ago anyway. So, uh,

thing and then go get to death. My Perry, he fucking just knocked out who were once-of-way, metalweight champions, and fucking everybody ever taking over businesses and the baddest motherfucker on the outside of the, UFC, I'm trying to fight the toughest competition. Any time I didn't fight when I was in the UFC

for any years or any time of? It wasn't the best motherfuckers to fight. I always wanted this tough guy. I wanted the best. So I wasn't going to try to, like, is Connor McGrath even ranked right now? Is he fucking, he's coming off a knock guy, he's coming up a broken leg,

he's coming off at him with his head on the hill spiral. I think he's doing just fine. I think I've been through all that. He knew I've been around longer than him. He's just, he's had, and he's down from everybody. He's got home probably like, watch me take over all this shit again.

Motherfucker, I'm a little bit of him. Well, I ain't here to have that shit down to me. You go get that shit done. I'm going to get my shit done when my parents, most guy the motherfucker, get my shoe popping out here. And then we're both ready to fight each other. We'll both be ready to fight each other.

We're not some fucked-up fucking little, uh, uh, agenda that everybody else wants me on. I'm not, I'm making my own moves under my own thing, like a real fun, like a real nigga, outside of the fucking YouTube and handle my own shit or on my own for itself by myself.

Absolutely. I don't know if you heard, but did you hear the rumor? It sounds like Connor's going to fight Max Holloway, and I know Max is your guy. I know you love Max. I don't know if I'd like that fight for Connor. I think that's a good fight. Could be. We'll see. I mean, I think I have your kind of a being. I don't know what to respect with Connor right now. So it's been five years. So hard to tell. What do you need? I mean, I got a favor. Max. I mean, I just, he's been more active. I think on the feet,

like he's looked so good. He's looked great at lightweight. I mean, I know the Charles Olavera fight wasn't his, but that wasn't really, you know, wasn't a great fight in my opinion. But, uh, I just think right now, man, like, that's a real tough fight to come back from five years off. Oh, I went for shit damning us when I was fucking everybody up. And now he's just out of the North government. So when he finally got the ballot and was around out of that, oh, shit, I'll play. fucking oliver finally doing something so i said what's so well eva respectfully i'd like to fight oliver that's time he's been around and he said no thanks homie i'm i'm on the big girl this bitchit oh that you little fucker because he right there and then and then he fucking won one one fight and then

he called out conner and that's exactly what i thought when he caught alconnor why are you trying to find the guy who's coming up old late break just got knocked out and he's all fucked up and fucking undone told me I'm trying to do bigger things. I'm like, pick on the motherfucker. I'm like, you're full of shit. You're just fucking, you think you're fucking tired. And then fucking, uh, that's why I had something to say about all of the there.

I don't have nothing to get him except for that. Like, no thing told me. I'm on the bigger, better things like what, picking on a guy who just got the assholes of all the time? That's whack. That was the motherfuckers that I'm trying to buy. I'm finding the bullies. I ain't trying to find no fucking, uh, nobody.

I want Connor come back and do a good job. and then we can meet up and we can get it on. 100%. But I want to fight somebody at their best. In other words, that's what I was saying. I only took time off because I was only trying to fight the best people. That's the only time I was out of fighting. So I know we want to give you number 16.

I'm like, you're not going to give me something in the top five? I'm cool. So I made number of fights. I'm not fighting because they're not giving me the best guys. I've always fought the best guys. Five ranked opponents than any champion ever. So that's what makes. It's being a champion in my bug, in my own situation.

I feel I'm better than everybody. I've been doing more. It's longer and more than everybody. I love it. It's kind of funny you imagine it, because I'm sure maybe you saw maybe someone told you, like, Dustin Poy is still talking. He's like, I'll come out in retirement.

That means to one guy come out of retirement. Can I imagine it's kind of a similar thing to, like, Conner? It's like, where's Dustin at right now? He's been off for a year. He lost to Max. Like, I imagine, like, a Max Holloway or Charles Oliver would be a much bigger, better fight for you. I never fucking, I never read out, never planned on it.

never, never plan on it. Why don't you fucking get your fucking bitch ass back in the ring and start fighting people? And, uh, and, uh, when the time's right, we're going to link up and we're going to fucking fight, but I, don't leave it on me for you to come out of retirement. You're fucking done. It's a rap. Go lay down with your girlfriend and fucking put your gloves in. Motherfucker.

I'm not trying to fight normal. I'm trying to fight the best of me. I love it. Well, listen, man. This is such a great fight. And like I said, I have nothing. Fucking savage top right ones only. Yeah.

Well, I think this is, I mean, like I said, I love Rhonda. I love Gina. I love, you know, Francis and Philippe Lins. But this is my main event, Nate. This is the one I'm most excited about. There is no way you and Mike Perry is not going to be a freaking awesome fight. I love, I appreciate that a lot. And I figured I'd imagine that.

I'm not, I'm not, I'm the one with managing what the fuck I'm doing. I'm fighting the best guy the whole time and that's why that's why that's why I believe I say what I'm at because I'm not fucking playing around I'm not doing this

phony fight anybody fucking for fuck I could all those times off too all these last two years I ain't been fighting too because there's no one of the fight I could have fought every I could have fought so many no-name people for fucking millions of dollars more than anyone is paid in EAC

but I'm not just trying to make a bunch of money to fight. I'm trying to fucking fight the best and the best and make a lot of money in the process. Absolutely. Real quick before I let you go, Nate,

I know that Jake has said, like, after this card and everything goes well, like they want to get more invested in MMA, can I imagine you be willing to work with them again if they get you another good fight and another good payday?

Everything is about timing and whatever the options are. We're going to weigh them all out and I'm going to fight the best and the best for the most amount of money for the next forever. I love it. I love it.

Nate, man, I really appreciate you doing this, man. Obviously, have fun in the fight next week, man. I'll be watching. Can't wait for it. Thank you for taking a little time for me, man. I appreciate it. Yes, sir, love. I'll see you out there and good talking to you. Absolutely, man. Talk soon.

All right, all right. Have a good one. You too. Bye-bye. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. Hey, y'all. It's Kelly Clarkson with Wayfair. Ever order furniture online and wonder, what if?

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