Bellator ‘definitely talking’ to Nate Diaz in bid to sign free agent after ex-UFC star deal ran out
Bellator are ‘definitely talking to Nate Diaz’ in bid to sign free agent after ex-UFC star’s contract expired, reveals president Scott Coker… but he admits fan favourite will be fielding offers from everywhere
- Nate Diaz fought out his UFC contract when he defeated Tony Ferguson
- Fan favourite has entered free agency and is in talks over his next move
- Bellator have reached out and president Scott Coker confirmed the contact
Bellator are ‘in talks’ with Nate Diaz and among the many interested parties hoping to strike a deal with the former UFC fan favourite.
Diaz is a free agent after bowing out of his UFC contract by beating Tony Ferguson in the re-shuffled main event of UFC 279.
His popularity is at an all-time high and the Stockton fighter remains a relative anomaly in the fight game, unbothered by the number of defeats on his record and retaining his appeal.
Nate Diaz is a free agent following his submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279
Many believe he’ll end up taking on Jake Paul in a lucrative boxing match, though the former YouTuber is facing Anderson Silva next month.
Diaz recently tweeted a tongue in cheek message: ‘I’m only going to fight the rock Otherwise I’m goood.’ suggesting he may not take on Paul after all.
It would certainly be a coup if any other MMA promotion was able to sign Diaz and he would be arguably the most famous recruit in Bellator history if they pull it off.
Speaking ahead of Bellator 285 on Friday, president Scott Coker told the BBC: ‘We are definitely talking to him. We’ve reached out.
Bellator president Scott Coker admitted the promotion are in talks with Diaz
Diaz hinted at a potential switch to boxing following the final bout of his UFC contract
‘But I’m sure he’s talking to everybody, he’s in a pretty good situation.
He continued: “I know he wants to fight Jake Paul, who is fighting Anderson Silva on Showtime pay per view – which is our home network – so there’s some synergies here.
‘We’re just hoping that we could have some type of deal to at least have his MMA fights with Bellator, so we are in dialogue.’
Time is not exactly on Diaz’s side at 37 and in his final octagon interview, he spoke about his intent to be back in the UFC and competing for a title one day.
But first he has other business to attend to. What that is remains to be seen but his declaration after UFC 279 was as follows: ‘I want to get out of the UFC and show all the fighters how to take over and own another sport,” said Diaz.
‘Boxing, kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu. I’m the creme de la creme right here and I’m coming for you.’
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