UFC – Paul Felder On Nate Diaz Fight: I Would Love That
UFC president Dana White revealed earlier this week that the promotion is working on Nate Diaz’s comeback fight in the lightweight division. The Stockton native returned after three years in 2019, defeating Anthony Pettis at UFC 241, before losing to Jorge Masvidal for the BMF title at UFC 244.
Diaz demanded an immediate rematch with Masvidal after their bout, but ‘Gamebred’ took a different path, fighting UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for the title at UFC 251, losing via unanimous decision.
Paul Felder Would Love That
Diaz’s move back to lightweight has certainly caught the attention of some of the division’s contenders. Including Paul Felder, who told the media on Fight Island (as transcribed by MMA Fighting) that he would “absolutely love that fight”.
“No, my God, I’ve had so many people tag me and say, ‘UFC in the works, Paul Felder versus Nate Diaz in the works,’” Felder said. “When are they gonna call me and tell me about that because you want to talk about getting motivated and excited, I would absolutely love that fight.
“Like [Dan] Hooker even said about it, I’ll fight him ‘85, 205 (middleweight or light heavyweight), it doesn’t matter, that’s a fight you take. Nate’s a legend at this point. I would love that fight, but no, it’s not me. I wish it was me.”
Justin Gaethje
Dana said that a win would put Diaz or his next opponent in a great position in the division, and the winner could go on to fight either Dustin Poirier or Conor McGregor, who are set to compete in the main event at UFC 257. Which has got Felder thinking that Nate’s opponent could be Justin Gaethje.
“I don’t know,” Felder added. “I know [Charles] Oliveira said he didn’t want to fight Gaethje, maybe Justin [for Diaz]. I have no inside information on this, by the way. I’m thinking Justin, but if he slips on a banana peel and can’t do it, I’d be down.”
When discussing Diaz’s returned, Dana also stated that it wasn’t against Tony Ferguson, leaving Gaethje and former champion Rafael dos Anjos as the leading candidates to welcome Nate back to the Octagon.
Future Plans
Felder is on a two fight losing streak, with split decision defeats against Dan Hooker at UFC Auckland, and dos Anjos at UFC Vegas 14 in a short notice fight. The last time ‘The Irish Dragon’ lost two in a row, he went on to win seven out of his next nine fights.
“You know me, I’m always down for whatever comes my way,” Felder said. “We’re still waiting to see right now, but obviously I’m still in the game, I’m still fighting. My back’s up against the wall a little bit for myself and my career. I know there’s some controversy behind [the Dan Hooker fight] and then the last one I took on five days’ notice, but it’s still a loss. It’s still two in a row.
“I think it’s the second time that I’ve been on a two-loss skid and the last time I came back with a vengeance, so hopefully I can muster that up and get out there. But I’m not there yet, I can’t throw my name into the top-five with those guys quite yet because you’ve got to win a fight.”
Diaz’s return to lightweight comes at a time when McGregor has fully focused his energies on the division. Speaking earlier this week, the Irishman said that he is confident a trilogy fight with his two time opponent is going to take place, and it would be more special if it has a title on the line.
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