On March 7, Max Holloway is scheduled to defend his BMF title against Charles Oliveira in the UFC 326 main event, aiming to become the first fighter to successfully retain this championship. Nate Diaz has voiced his confidence in Holloway’s chances for victory, seeing it as a key moment ahead of a potential return in June.
Oliveira, who faced Holloway in 2015, recently described himself as having grown from “just a boy” into “a lion amongst lions,” reflecting on how much he has evolved since their last meeting inside the cage. While some, including top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, support Oliveira’s bid to defeat Holloway, Diaz has publicly endorsed the Hawaiian fighter.
Nate Diaz Predicts Victory and Plans for a Future Fight
Diaz, who last competed in the UFC in 2022 by submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279, has remained active since, engaging in high-profile boxing matches against Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal. Despite these ventures, Diaz remains eager for a UFC comeback, aiming for an event at the White House this June.
He recalls his involvement in the first-ever BMF title fight in 2019, asserting that he helped establish this division. With Holloway and Oliveira set to battle for the title, Diaz has confidently predicted Holloway will prevail. He even expressed a desire to face Holloway on the White House lawn, stating:
“I like Max (in that fight),”
Nate Diaz said to ClockedNload.
“Yeah (I like Max in that fight). I’ll slap the s— out of him, though. That was rude what I just said, but I’ll f— him up. Yeah, the White House would be perfect,”
he added.
Dana White Keeps Door Open for Nate Diaz’s Return
Throughout their UFC careers, Nate Diaz and UFC President Dana White have had a complicated relationship, with White occasionally remarking on how challenging it was to manage both Nate and his brother Nick. Nonetheless, White has indicated that Diaz’s departure from the UFC does not necessarily mean a permanent end to his time in the promotion.
At the post-fight press conference following DWCS 57, White commented on Diaz’s legacy and the possibility of a comeback, saying:
“This will always be Nate’s house. Nate grew up here… He fought some of the biggest fights ever here. We love the kid. I don’t know about fighting in the future, but this is always going to be his house. We’ll see,”
Dana White stated.
What’s Next After UFC 326?
Max Holloway’s defense of the BMF title against Charles Oliveira is a highly anticipated bout that could set new milestones for the division. Should Holloway successfully retain the belt, it would mark the first defense in the title’s history, solidifying his standing in the UFC’s elite ranks. Meanwhile, Nate Diaz’s potential return and public challenge to Holloway add an intriguing dimension to the event’s aftermath, promising rivalries that could unfold later this year. Fans will be watching closely to see if Diaz’s ambitions materialize alongside Holloway’s bid for championship history.
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