Nate Diaz's trainer asks for $30 million for trilogy with McGregor

McGregor (right) and Diaz (left) faced each other twice (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)

Conor McGregor, right after his defeat to Floyd Mayweather last Saturday (26), in Las Vegas (USA), considered the possibility of holding a third duel against Nate Diaz. However, if it depends on the North American's team, Ultimate will have to spend a good amount of money to pay the fighters. Richard Perez, Diaz's coach, said that his pupil would have to receive at least 20 or 30 million dollars (around 62 and 94 million reais, respectively) to take action.

“At least $20 or 30 million. The UFC is making a lot of money, and pockets it all. They are now giving more to McGregor, which isn't fair, because it takes two fighters in the octagon to excite the crowd – two good fighters. Look at Mayweather when he faced Andre Berto. He couldn't even fill the arena, there were too many empty seats there. It was embarrassing. This guy can't attract an audience. It's the fighters that attract the fans. A third fight between Nate and Conor would be incredible, everyone knows that. That’s why he needs to earn at least US$ 20 million, on the bottom,” said the coach, in an interview with “Submission Radio”.

Nate and Conor have already faced each other twice, both times in the welterweight division (under 77kg). In the first, in March 2016, the North American submitted his rival in the second round, after suffering in the opening minutes. Five months later, better for Notório, who won the rematch by majority decision of the judges. In the supposed trilogy, Perez guarantees that Diaz, if he is 100% prepared, would have no major problems defeating the Irishman again.

“If Nate has a full camp, without injuries, McGregor has no chance, I guarantee it. Check out some of Nate's fights, like against Cerrone and some others. He was in top form, injury free. What did he do? He went out there and boxed them all. In shape, he can box well. Do people think McGregor can box? Nate knows how to box! In the two fights in which Nate and Conor faced each other, in the first one Nate had 11 days to prepare. He didn't have time for anything, just to win. On Monday, he was injured and had to stop training to recover. He couldn't get in shape, with timing. People thought he would fight better than the first time, but that's not the case. Fans don’t know how things turn out for Nate or any other wrestler,” he concluded.

The rematch against McGregor, in August last year, was the last time Diaz stepped into the Octagon. At 32 years old, Nate, who is the champion of TUF 5, 2007, has already had 23 fights in the organization, totaling 14 positive results and nine negative results. He even challenged for the lightweight belt in 2012, but was defeated by the former champion Ben henderson.