Nate Diaz Returns to MMA at 41 for Mike Perry Fight as UFC Comeback Talks Stall

9 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 13

Saturday’s Netflix bout with Mike Perry marks Diaz’s first MMA fight since September 2022, with the 41-year-old saying he is officially back in the sport through Jake Paul’s MVP promotion.
Diaz said he came close to re-signing with the UFC, but balked at the timing and at the likelihood of being steered into a Conor McGregor trilogy while McGregor has not fought since July 2021.
Long UFC contracts also pushed Diaz toward Perry first; he said a one-off fight let him finish his outside options before committing again to a promotion he spent 15 years trying to leave.
A win over Perry could shape his next move, with Diaz naming Charles Oliveira and the BMF belt as top UFC targets while insisting a third McGregor fight remains the plan when the timing is right.

With Netflix's backing, can MVP's 'fighter-first' model truly disrupt the UFC's long-standing dominance in MMA?

Is Nate Diaz's rejection of his biggest UFC payday a principled stand for fighter freedom or a masterclass in negotiation?