When Nate Diaz says he has “business to take care of,” he is not talking about a routine comeback or a brief return to the Octagon. The American veteran is pointing to something deeper — a struggle over identity, recognition, and an legacy he believes has been taken from him over time. One of the UFC’s most charismatic and polarizing figures has once again reignited debate about his future, with a single target in mind: the BMF belt.
Diaz’s last appearance in the UFC dates back to September 2022, when he submitted Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in what many viewed as a farewell fight. But that goodbye now looks more like a pause. After all, Diaz was the man who inaugurated the BMF concept in 2019 against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244, turning it into a symbol that the organization continues to capitalize on whenever it seeks raw excitement.
— Jack Slack (@JackSlackMMA) February 11, 2026
Through his statements on social media, the “Stockton Slugger” has made his frustration clear. In his view, sidelining him from the BMF narrative is a distortion of history itself: “Don’t act like I didn’t create a whole division and add value for everyone. I opened doors and put the most stylish fights in the spotlight. I’ve got things to settle, and I’m taking back what’s mine — ASAP.” The message carries both lingering resentment and a desire to reclaim his place in a landscape that has evolved without him.
Posting a photo of the BMF belt on Instagram was no coincidence. It was a direct signal to Dana White and the UFC leadership: Nate Diaz does not see himself as just another contender, but as the rightful owner of a legacy he believes has been overlooked.
The storyline grows even more intriguing with the parallel announcement from his brother, Nick Diaz, who has also expressed interest in returning to the UFC to face a big name and pursue a world title. The potential return of the Diaz brothers raises a broader question about the UFC’s strategy: is this a calculated dose of nostalgia, or a recognition that certain icons still possess unmatched drawing power?
If Nate Diaz does return, it will be far more than another fight added to a pay-per-view card. It will be a test of a long and complicated relationship between a rebellious fighter who helped shape the UFC’s identity, and an organization that never stops moving forward — even if it means leaving some of its legends behind.
