Kamaru Usman does not believe Nate Diaz can compete for UFC gold again.
Despite Diaz showing off some incredible skills over the weekend vs. Jorge Masvidal, the former UFC champion casts doubt on him competing vs. the Octagon elite.
Related: Why Signing With The PFL Makes Most Sense For Nate Diaz Next
“Nate Diaz is on completely tail end of his career,” Usman said on Pound 4 Pound (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). “Yes, of course, he’s made a great name for himself. Big shoutout to Nate for still having that notoriety to be able to go out there and still get paychecks.
“But come on. To say Nate is going to come back in and walk into fighting world-class mixed martial arts fighters right now in the UFC. Come on. That’s absurd. That’s crazy.”
Usman, who co-hosts the podcast with fellow former UFC champion Henry Cejudo, believes Diaz “can still fight.”
“But he’s not a world-class fighter,” he said. “Throw Nate in there with Shavkat Rakhmonov. Throw Nate in there with myself. With Justin Gaethje.”
Diaz stepped into the boxing ring over the weekend and bested Masvidal. Previously, the two had met in the UFC with Masvidal the winner.
Kamaru Usman: Nate Diaz-Jake Paul Makes Sense
Usman echoed thoughts that have come up in recent months involving the PFL.
The promotion is home to Jake Paul, who has had a long-running feud with Diaz.
“Nate, PFL and Jake will offer you $15 million to go into MMA and fight him in MMA,” Usman said. “I’m taking that, Nate. I think he actually wins that fight like that.”
Usman also noted that another bout with Conor McGregor is “still there.”
“That’s a huge one,” he said.
