Nate Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler for UFC title? Makes 'a lot of sense' to Dana White

A rematch between UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz has long been discussed. However, after UFC 196, it could be Nick’s younger brother, Nate Diaz, who’s the one to face off with “Ruthless.”

Diaz (19-10 MMA, 14-8 UFC) completely altered the course of his career in Saturday’s UFC 196 pay-per-view headliner with his second-round submission win over UFC featherweight champ Conor McGregor (19-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in a non-title welterweight bout at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The longtime UFC veteran accepted the bout with McGregor on just 11 days’ notice and delivered a stellar performance. Beating “The Notorious” opened many doors for Diaz, and according to UFC President Dana White, it could include a 170-pound title shot against reigning champion Lawler (27-10 MMA, 12-4 UFC).

“You know what would make a lot of sense? This isn’t the fight I’m making; I’m just saying him and Robbie would make a lot of sense,” White told ESPN’s “SportsCenter” after UFC 196. “His brother beat Robbie. Robbie is now the world champion, and Nate became very, very popular tonight. We’ll see what happens with Nate.”

Nick Diaz remains the only fighter to stop Lawler with strikes. That finish came way back at UFC 47 in April 2004. Lawler, of course, has completely changed his career since then. He’s on a five-fight UFC winning streak with two successful defenses of the belt, the most recent a split-decision win over Carlos Condit in a “Fight of the Year” contender at UFC 195 in January.

If McGregor had won at UFC 196, he was an option to challenge Lawler. Former champ Georges St-Pierre could also make a comeback. In terms of active fighters in the weight class, Tyron Woodley also has a strong argument for a title fight with Lawler.

Diaz could trump all those options, though, White said. The UFC boss admitted he’s yet to discuss it with Diaz – or Lawler for that matter. But White said Diaz earned the payday of his life at UFC 196, and it could be some time before he’s ready to discuss competing again.

“We might never see Nate Diaz again after this,” White said jokingly. “He made a lot of money tonight. When we walked by, somebody said, ‘What are you going to do with your money?’ He said, ‘I’m buying a yacht.’ Nate is probably going to go out to sea, and we’ll never see him again.

“For me to try to predict what one of the Diaz brother is going to do, who knows man?”

For more on UFC 196, check out the UFC Events section of the site.