In a bold and unfiltered statement that has sent shockwaves through the MMA community, Nate Diaz has expressed his resounding disinterest in the upcoming Lightweight rematch between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje at UFC 291, asserting that neither fighter possesses the necessary qualities to lay claim to the coveted "Baddest Motherf—ker" (BMF) title. Diaz, a true maverick of the sport, believes that the essence and significance of the BMF title were forged in his epic clash against Jorge Masvidal in November 2019 at UFC 244. It was during that historic Madison Square Garden event that the BMF title was born, capturing the imagination of fans worldwide.

While Diaz ultimately fell short against Masvidal, the battle between the two gritty Welterweight warriors forever etched their names in the annals of UFC history. Masvidal's triumphant three-fight winning streak, culminating in a third-round doctor's stoppage TKO victory over Diaz, solidified his claim to the BMF throne. The BMF title, at the time, was intended to be a one-of-a-kind accolade, an extraordinary distinction reserved solely for Diaz and Masvidal. However, it seems that UFC President Dana White had a change of heart, opting to bestow the BMF aura upon the Poirier vs. Gaethje showdown, which is set to headline UFC 291 next month.

Diaz, ever the outspoken and unapologetic truth-seeker, is adamant in his belief that neither Poirier nor Gaethje truly embodies the spirit and grit befitting a BMF titleholder. The Stockton native is renowned for his fearless approach and unyielding warrior spirit inside the Octagon. His relentless pursuit of challenges and refusal to back down from any opponent has solidified his place as a fan favorite and an embodiment of the BMF ethos.

Since his BMF title loss to Masvidal, Diaz has had three more Octagon appearances. Although he suffered a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of the future undisputed UFC Welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, Diaz bounced back with a statement victory, securing a fourth-round guillotine choke finish over the highly regarded Tony Ferguson. As his storied 15-year run with the promotion nears its conclusion, Diaz has expressed his desire to leave an indelible mark on the UFC and cement his legacy on his own terms.

Adding further context to Diaz's discontent, it was initially expected that Diaz would face Poirier at UFC 230 in November 2018. Unfortunately, fate intervened as a Poirier injury derailed the highly anticipated showdown. Subsequently, Poirier embarked on a remarkable journey, challenging for both interim and undisputed Lightweight titles against Max Holloway and Khabib Nurmagomedov, respectively. Poirier's riveting battles with former dual-division champion Conor McGregor, who Diaz also shares a storied rivalry with, further elevated his profile. However, Poirier's pursuit of gold ended in disappointment, as he fell to Charles Oliveira by way of a third-round rear-naked choke at UFC 269 in December 2021.

With his piercing insights and unyielding honesty, Diaz has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Poirier vs. Gaethje bout as a worthy contender for the BMF title. As he enters the twilight of his UFC career, Diaz remains unwavering in his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the BMF legacy and ensuring that only the truest of warriors can claim the title. 

“They wanted me to sign to fight Conor, could fight Poirier in the meantime but I’m just sick of Poirier not fighting me,” Diaz said of his final UFC fights. “But he had just got choked by everybody (laughs). He just got choked by everybody, motherf—ker, go win some fights and I’ll fight you.

“So, they wanted me to fight him to kill time for Conor to heal up and come back [after his leg break] then they wanted me to sign for another fight with Conor but only if I win,” he concluded. “What the f—k?”