Skip to main content

Nate Diaz: McGregor-Mayweather fight proposal a publicity stunt

Nate Diaz thinks the rumors of a fight between UFC star Conor McGregor and retired boxer Floyd Mayweather are nothing more than a publicity stunt.
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

Nate Diaz thinks the rumors of a fight between UFC star Conor McGregor and retired boxer Floyd Mayweather are nothing more than a publicity stunt, he told The MMA Hour on Wednesday.

“I think the Mayweather thing is a publicity stunt,” Diaz said. “It’s great for both of them. Boxing followers will start following Conor, MMA followers are going to start following Floyd. They’re all benefiting, and no one is losing, so they’re going to keep the ball rolling.

“But every day I hear about this Mayweather s---, it’s always about, ‘Am I going to take the fight?’ It seems like this is a pretty big deal, can I get compensated for it? ... I’m like, ‘Hey, I call your bluff. Fight [Mayweather], I’ll be right here.’”

Sugar Ray Leonard: McGregor-Mayweather ‘would be interesting’

Diaz is currently in the process of negotiating the terms of a rematch with McGregor, whom he beat at UFC 196 in March. He said the proposal of a fight between McGregor and Mayweather would not affect the way he negotiates for UFC 202, which is scheduled for Aug. 20 in Las Vegas.