Simon Samano: Nate Diaz rematch
Think back to how you felt the moment [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] called out Jorge Masvidal after his win over Anthony Pettis at UFC 241. Now think back to the feeling when you found out the two realest OGs of the fight game were booked against each other. Now think back to the feeling when you saw them on stage together in New York for the one and only UFC 244 pre-fight news conference.
It was perfect, wasn’t it? All leading up to their “BMF” title fight, which Diaz single-handedly made a real thing.
Now think back to how disappointed you felt when the cageside doctor stopped the fight after the third round. I’m still upset about it.
Diaz made it very clear afterward that he wanted an immediate rematch with Masvidal, and who could blame him? Diaz had just been robbed – OK not in the truest sense since he was losing through three rounds, but robbed nonetheless. We all were. Nobody wanted a fight between the two baddest motherf***ers to end because of a cut over Diaz’s eye.
Was the tide about to turn? Diaz, who’s known for slow starts, certainly believed it was. It at least appeared to be possible given how the third round progressed.
So imagine maybe – just maybe – Diaz recently reached out to UFC president Dana White and let him know he wants to fight and he wants it to be the rematch. Maybe? If that happened, wouldn’t White have to at least consider it and bring that to Masvidal’s attention. Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman isn’t more intriguing than Masvidal vs. Diaz 2, I don’t care what you say. And from the standpoint of star power, it’s the biggest fight the UFC could make outside of anything having to do with Conor McGregor.
So, if the Usman title fight falls through, then please satisfy us with the rematch we deserve.
Next page – Danny Segura: Kamaru Usman still