Cesar Gracie says the UFC should present a very lucrative offer to Nate Diaz if you want him back.
After defeating Jorge Masvidal via majority decision in Saturday’s boxing match, UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards was among the names Diaz called out.
Diaz parted ways with the UFC in September 2022, but Dana White said the Octagon will always be his home. If Diaz returns to the UFC, his trainer expects him to receive a big money offer.
“Millions and millions of dollars, whatever they are paying their most important employees,” said Gracie Submission radio. “Nate is a sports icon. He fought and deserves the things he achieved. He had to achieve everything the hard way.
“He brings star power with him. The event (in Anaheim) was sold out. It was all Nate Diaz there. Nobody would have gone to that show without Nate Diaz, so I don’t know. It was so big. Your fan base is so amazing.”
With Conor McGregor pulling out of his return fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 due to injury, Gracie would like to see Diaz take advantage of that opportunity. Diaz and McGregor split their two appearances, and both fighters have always said a trilogy is inevitable.
“I mean, obviously it’s beyond my control what the UFC is thinking,” Gracie said. “So, it’s almost like I’m speculating. But in my position, I think it would be great. I think a trilogy probably makes a lot of sense for both guys.
“Chandler and McGregor are also a good fight. But I mean, just Nate and McGregor’s story, I think it would be a bigger fan fight if they had a trilogy. In my opinion, that’s what I’m thinking.”