Originally published at REPORT: Nate Diaz to fight Leon Edwards at UFC 262 in May
Nate Diaz is set to return with a five-round fight against Leon Edwards at UFC 262 in May.
The news was broken by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani that Diaz will return for his first fight since competing against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 in November 2019. Helwani noted both fighters have verbally agreed to fight, although the contract has not been signed yet.
On an interesting note, the fight will be a five-round non-title fight in the co-feature spot underneath Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira, who fight for the vacant UFC lightweight championship.
Check me out may 15th I’ll be headlining #ufc262 in Houston Texas I’ll also have the new UFC lightweight title fight on the card I need people to know these guys are they’ve been working very hard and I can’t wait to see who gets my old 👑 I’ll see uguys there 👊🏼
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 31, 2021
Diaz, 35, competed twice in 2019 defeating Anthony Pettis at UFC 241 and losing by TKO to Masvidal in November 2019 due to a doctor’s stoppage after three rounds of action.
Diaz will return to fight Leon Edwards, one of the perennial contenders atop of the welterweight division. Edwards, 29, is unbeaten in his previous nine fights. That streak includes eight consecutive victories and a recent no-contest against Belal Muhammad earlier this month, which ended due to a severe eye poke delivered to Muhammad.
UFC 262 takes place on May 15th from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas with the arena opening at full capacity for fans.