5 potential opponents for Donald Cerrone

#2: Nick Diaz

Would Cowboy make a good return opponent for Nick Diaz?

While Dana White has stated that he doesn’t expect Nate Diaz to be returning any time soon – likely because of his financial demands – he has claimed that older brother Nick might be ready for a 2018 comeback. It’s a massive question mark because both Diaz brothers tend to demand “money fights”, but realistically, Nick has been on the shelf since February 2015 – he’d have to earn a money fight with a slightly lesser opponent first.

Cowboy could be perfect as while he doesn’t draw hugely, he’s clearly a big name with the UFC fans and brass alike. Beat Cerrone and Diaz would immediately throw himself into the title scene at 170lbs. With current champion Tyron Woodley crying out for a bigger drawing challenger, Diaz might actually have a case for being that opponent.

There’s also the fact that Cerrone put on a classic fight against Nick’s brother back in 2011 – he lost a unanimous decision after Nate broke his jaw with an early flurry of punches, but he’s improved his game a lot in the seven years since that fight and this would be his chance for revenge. It’d be the perfect semi-main event for a lesser-sounding PPV card this year.