Nate Diaz’s return to MMA, announced on Monday, has divided opinion.
The Stockton star is set to feature on Netflix’s blockbuster card headlined by Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano, an event that also includes names like Francis Ngannou and Mike Perry.
It marks Diaz’s first MMA appearance in nearly four years, and comes outside the traditional UFC structure that defined most of his career.
For Ariel Helwani, the move is not just smart, it is perfectly timed.
Ariel Helwani explains why Nate Diaz move makes sense
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the journalist outlined why the Netflix deal changes everything for fighters like Diaz.
“If you’re Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Francis Ngannou… you’re signing one-fight deals to be on this card,” he began by saying (via SPORTbible).
“So if you’re Nate Diaz, who is looking at his options, he can be like, ‘Hey, I can go back to the UFC now, and who knows how that will play out?’ It’s gonna be four fights, six fights, multi-fights. As opposed to a one-off on the biggest platform in the world, 325 plus million subscribers.
“Look at what that platform did to Anthony Joshua back in December. And Nate obviously isn’t an unknown commodity in America, but it will raise his profile, no doubt about it.
“This could very well be, and I don’t even think it’s going out on a limb to say it, the most-watched MMA card of all-time. Because it’s on the biggest platform, worldwide, of all-time.
“And so you go on here, you win this fight, all of a sudden you can go back to the UFC and say, ‘Alright, the number just changed. Now I’m an even hotter commodity’.
“Or you could go elsewhere… or you can go back to them, if this is a success, you can ask for X, Y, Z. This is a very attractive opportunity for these guys and gals. This was a no-brainer for Nate.”
Despite Helwani’s point being valid, other sources suggest Diaz’s choice will not play out that way.
Luke Thomas raises major concern over Diaz decision
Combat sports analyst Luke Thomas offered a starkly different take, suggesting Diaz’s decision could come with long-term consequences.
He said: “The way I heard it, Diaz taking this fight closes the door on a UFC return completely. So whatever Diaz is making or planning for future fights, he’s doing so knowing there’s no UFC homecoming possible now.”
If that proves accurate, it would effectively end any hope of a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor.
For Diaz, the gamble is clear: maximum exposure now, but potentially no way back.
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