5 reasons why UFC shouldn't book Jorge Masvidal vs Nate Diaz II

After the controversial doctor stoppage ending to the main event of UFC 244, Jorge Masvidal went to Nate Diaz and told him that they'd have a rematch and run it back. Nate Diaz still insists that they should, but Dana White didn't seem to have that same level of interest.

Sure, it would be a money match-up regardless but many people are jumping to assumptions about the rematch and why it must happen. The reality is that it really shouldn't happen. With that said, Masvidal's coach Mike Brown said that Masvidal is a man of his word and believes that the two men will meet at some point in the next year. He told MMA Fighting:

“In a way, I think he told them he’ll do it again and Jorge is a man of his word. He’ll fight Diaz again. Whether it’s in a few months or in one year, they’ll fight again I’m sure. It’s just about the timing."

While it would undoubtedly be an entertaining match-up, here are a few reasons why it shouldn't happen at all.

#5 It won't sell as much

Masvidal was the opponent that Nate Diaz had waited for 3 years to face. Diaz simply stated that nobody was good enough but after defeating Anthony Pettis, he called out Masvidal and the respect was clear.

Masvidal was also full of praise for Diaz, knowing that the spotlight he had was primarily because of Diaz. However, the reality is that a rematch between them won't sell that well. It would have had it been a very close fight, but it wasn't.

It simply seems to be one of those fights that people may want to see, but it won't sell anywhere close to the first time.

#4 It was far too one-sided

The fight between the East Coast and West Coast fighters was simply far too one-sided. From the get-go, it was Gamebred who dominated the fight and his relentless pressure paid off even though he couldn't get that decisive finish.

He won all three rounds and it wasn't even close. While Nate Diaz did get his fair share of offense, it was minuscule as compared to what Jorge Masvidal was doing to him.

How do you sell a fight when it wasn't even close? Stylistically, it was a nightmare of a match-up for Diaz and as Mike Brown said, a rematch wouldn't go any differently.

#3 The stoppage wasn't as bad as people thought

There was a lot of outrage about the finish of the UFC 244 main event. Diaz's cut didn't look nearly as bad from the angle we saw on television. Many people including Joe Rogan and Dana White were all incensed at the stoppage, but when he went backstage, White revealed that Diaz's cut was far worse than what he thought initially.

MMA fans have been less than gracious and the doctor even stated that his office has been getting calls and being harassed. The reality is that it wasn't the worst stoppage and not nearly as controversial as the initial reaction may have made it seem.

#2 Other money match-ups available for Nate Diaz

All said and done, Nate Diaz truly transcends the sport. He's a needle mover despite having lost nearly half his fights. One of the best aspects about him is that he has always been the same from day 1, but over the last 3 years, his popularity has surged.

This prompted UFC to make their first non-title PPV main event in over a year (with the last one being because Yoel Romero missed weight). Conor McGregor is the obvious money match-up for him but that doesn't seem to be the direction just yet.

Diaz is under a medical suspension so he will be sitting out for a while. When he does come back, there are plenty of other money match-ups for him.

#1 Jorge Masvidal should be next in line for a title shot

2019 has been the year of Jorge Masvidal. From being considered just another journeyman, he turned it up and took it to a whole new level, finishing all 3 of his top opponents this year. He's been exciting and is now on a 3-fight win streak.

It's clear that he's the next contender in line for a UFC Welterweight Championship opportunity and he has to wait it out to see who wins the fight between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.

There's a reason why Dana White isn't too interested in running it back. He knows that Masvidal is next in line and will undoubtedly give him the next shot if he chooses not to rematch with Diaz.

Edited by Nishant Jayaram