Diaz Discussed a UFC Return Before Fighting Perry on MVP MMA
Nate Diaz discussed possible UFC return terms and the BMF title during a May 2026 interview, shortly before his MMA bout with Mike Perry. Diaz ultimately fought Perry on MVP’s May 16 card, where Perry won by third-round technical knockout.
The return discussion
Diaz said he had been in talks with the UFC about returning to MMA and described a possible trilogy with Conor McGregor. He also discussed what he would want from a UFC comeback and named the BMF championship as a meaningful target.
The interview took place while Diaz was preparing to fight Perry on the Rousey vs. Carano card. The matchup was billed as a return to MMA for both competitors after time away from the sport.
The interview comments were not a signed UFC deal or an announced fight. Diaz instead accepted the MVP bout with Perry.
What happened against Perry
Diaz and Perry met on May 16, 2026, at Intuit Dome in California. Perry won by TKO after the referee stopped the contest before the third round, giving Diaz a loss in his return fight.
Diaz had last competed in MMA at UFC 279 in 2022, when he submitted Tony Ferguson. His comments about returning to the UFC preceded the Perry bout and should be treated as interview context rather than a confirmed booking.
MMA Fighting covered the pre-fight interview and the event result. Those reports separate Diaz’s stated interest in a UFC return from the fight he actually took.
