Nate Diaz implies he’s bailing on UFC 230 because Dustin Poirier doesn’t want to fight at 165 pounds

Nate Diaz is currently booked for a lightweight showdown with top contender Dustin Poirier. The bout is expected to serve as the co-main event of UFC 230, which is scheduled for November 3 in New York City.

While this has been the plan some time, Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier have both recently expressed interest in fighting in the UFC 230 main event — for the inaugural title of a currently hypothetical 165-pound weight class.

Dustin Poirier was actually the first person to propose this idea, but Diaz quickly got on board too.

What about me and Nate for the 165lbs belt?

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 20, 2018

“What about me and Nate for the 165lbs belt?” Dustin Poirier said on Twitter.

I’m Happy to announce that I’m bringing a new weight devision to the Ufc
I’ll be fighting the main event November 3rd in nyc against Dustin Poirier for the first ever 165lb belt superfighter devision
I’m happy to be apart of history @ufc @danawhite

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) September 26, 2018

“I’m happy to announced that I’m bringing a new weight division to the UFC,” Nate Diaz said shortly thereafter (edited for clarity). “I’ll be fighting the main event, November 3rd in NYC against Dustin Poirier for the first ever 165lb super-fighter division. I’m happy to be a part of history.”

While both Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier seemed to be down with this plan, the plan seems to have hit a bit of a snag.

First, UFC President Dana White said, flat-out, it isn’t happening. And now, Nate Diaz says the UFC told him Poirier doesn’t actually want to fight at 165 pounds.

If that’s the case, the Stockton native says he’s bailing on the card and we’ll see him next year.

Ufc just told me that Dustin doesn’t want to fight at 165lbs
I b bak next year …✌🏼

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) September 28, 2018

“UFC just told me that Dustin doesn’t want to fight t 165lbs. I’ll be back next year.”

Poirier, of course, is refuting this claim from Diaz. Shortly after Diaz published his Tweet, Poirier issued a response, assuring that he’s absolutely down to fight for the 165 pound title.

Hold that noise. I'm 100% down https://t.co/tucv55JMqi

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 28, 2018

“Hold that noise,” Poirier said. “I’m 100% down.”

Do you think we’ll see Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz fight at UFC 230? If so, which weight class do you want to see them fight at?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 9/27/2018.