'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Nate Diaz has finally got his wish, as he is officially a mixed martial arts free agent. After 15 legendary years with the UFC, the former lightweight title challenger is no longer with the promotion, marking the end of an era.
While Diaz's contractual obligations ended following his UFC 279 fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson, he remained in an exclusive negotiating window with the promotion.
Diaz is now officially a free agent and will immediately begin discussions pertaining to future fights, according to his representative Zach Rosenfield.
Despite Diaz's foray into free agency, he did share that he is open to eventually returning to the UFC. In 27 fights with the promotion, Diaz compiled a 16-11 record. His fights were consistently entertaining, leading to eight Fight of the Night bonuses, tied for the most in UFC history.
Diaz's ten submission victories are the fourth most in the history of the promotion, while his 16 post-fight bonuses are the third most in UFC history.
What's next for Nate Diaz following UFC departure?
Nate Diaz will likely become one of the most sought-after free agents in the history of mixed martial arts due to his massive popularity. It has been assumed that he will be the next former UFC fighter to step into the boxing ring against Jake Paul.
The former YouTube star wasted no time calling Diaz out when news broke that he was officially a free agent. In a post to his Twitter account within less than an hour of the news breaking, Paul stated:
"Hi Nate. Finally out of your UFC contract? Let’s see how tough you are in the boxing ring instead of hallway slap contests. @NateDiaz209 I have a venue booked. Offer is ready when you are. Just need you to sign."
Check out Jake Paul's tweet to Nate Diaz below:
While the boxing bout has been teased for quite some time, there will likely be competition from other mixed martial arts organizations, who will surely hope to lure in Diaz.
Furthermore, the legendary fighter recently started his own promotional organization, Real Fight Inc., in which he shared that he will promote mixed martial arts, boxing, and grappling bouts.
