Coach Richard Perez shares Nate Diaz’s sizeable price tag, says UFC doesn’t want to pay it

Over the last few weeks, there has been significant buzz surrounding a possible UFC 219 welterweight title fight between champ Tyron Woodley and long-time lightweight contender Nate Diaz. As the time between us and UFC 219 continues to dissipate, however, this fight continues to look more and more unlikely.

According to Richard Perez, who serves as Nate Diaz’s boxing coach, if this fight doesn’t get made it will be because the UFC doesn’t want to pay Diaz his asking price.

“The UFC doesn’t want to give Nathan the money,” Perez said on a recent edition of Submission Radio (h/t MMAMania). “$15 million. Easy. Cause, I mean, he’s a star right now. McGregor can’t even fight right now, he got suspended. And Woodley’s trying to fight everybody. They’re being too greedy with the money right now, it’s hurting a lot of fighters. They’re gonna probably make, oh gosh, pay-per-view is going to be just out there because they’re curious on what Nathan’s going to do with Woodley. I mean, he’s got the belt. So what? The belt don’t mean nothing anymore. It’s about who you’re fighting (if you want) to make the money. So they’re making big money, they’re pocketing a lot of it. You guys know it too. Oh gosh, it’s ridiculous.”

Nate Diaz has not fought since August of 2016, when he gave up a razor-close majority decision to Conor McGregor. This loss was preceded by a career-changing submission win over McGregor.

Woodley, meanwhile, last fought in July, when he defeated BJJ ace Demian Maia by decision. This win was preceded by a pair of fights with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, the first being a draw and the second being a decision win for Woodley. Woodley won the UFC welterweight title with a first-round knockout of Robbie Lawler back in the summer of 2016.

Do you think the UFC should pay Nate Diaz what he wants?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 22/11/2017.