The UFC will not allow Nate Diaz to face Dustin Poirier because he has only one fight remaining on his contract.
Fans loved the match and Poirier claimed this week that their long-awaited grudge match was nearing completion.
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However, Diaz recently said that the UFC brass "don't want" the fight, much disappointing fans.
Josh Thompson, a former opponent, believes that the promotion doesn’t want to risk TUF season five winner receiving a marquee win prior to he enters free agency.
He said this during a podcast episode with John McCarthy called Weighing in. "The UFC doesn't want him [Nate Diaz] fighting a big-name guy for his last fight under his contract."
"He wants to fight as quickly as possible.
"We've discussed this a lot, he wants fight because he wants that last fight over with so that he can either rework the terms or jump to boxing to face another fighter, right? He wants to do that.
"As soon he makes it public and tells them that he's willing to fight, it's their turn."
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Diaz, 36 years old, is eager to finish his contract and find out what lucrative offers might be on the horizon.
He insists that Poirier, an interim lightweight champ, is not 'worthy' to share the octagon.
He tweeted before the new year: "You are not worthy if your desire to fight, we would already have."
"Bring yourself back from your dead, DP."
Since his defeat to Brit Leon Edwards in the unanimous decision at UFC 263 last June, Diaz has not fought.
Poirier was, however, last seen at UFC 269 against Charles Oliveira (lightweight king), to whom he lost a third round submission.
After his second failed attempt at the undisputed UFC gold, The Diamond suggested he might hang up his gloves but has since made a U-turn.
Recently, he told Teddy Atlas that he had just spoken to Mike Brown, his boxing coach [Dyah] Davis, and my wife. They are behind me if this fight is a success.
"I looked into the mirror and felt good. I want to do it!"
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