Nate Diaz scored the biggest win of his career at UFC 196 when he submitted Conor McGregor in the second round of their fight, and that may have opened some doors for him. According to UFC President Dana White, the former lightweight contender may now be in line for a title shot at 170 pounds.
"You know what would make a lot of sense? This isn't the fight I'm making (now), I'm just saying, him and Robbie Lawler make a lot of sense," said White to ESPN (via Bloody Elbow). "His brother beat Robbie, who is now the world champion, and Nate became very very popular tonight."
Fans that have been conditioned to the UFC's rigid matchmaking style will surely raise an eyebrow at this idea. While this is a huge win for Diaz in a fight that took place at 170 pounds, it is worth remembering that Diaz is primarily a 155-pound fighter who beat the 145-pound champion.
Diaz's body of work at 170 pounds is relatively limited, and it would be out of character for the UFC to slide him into a title shot over somebody like Stephen Thompson or Tyron Woodley.
With that said, a bout between Diaz and Lawler makes a great deal of sense from a business perspective. As White spelled out, Diaz has likely become an overnight star with his win over McGregor.
While the hardened veteran has long enjoyed fan-favorite status alongside his brother, former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, inconsistent performances and contract disputes have halted his momentum over recent years.
A title fight with Lawler would be a great way to capitalize on his newfound popularity. Add to that the lingering questions about what fights the UFC can make to fill out UFC 200, and Lawler vs. Diaz suddenly seems like a no-brainer.
Obviously, anything White says about title fights calls for a spoonful of salt these days. White acknowledged the uncertainty, saying, "We'll see what happens, but for me to predict what one of the Diaz brothers are going to do, who knows?"
Still, this is interesting, and it's hard not to wonder if after seven years of certified "needle-mover" status, Diaz is finally getting the star treatment he deserves.
