5 reasons why Nate Diaz's next UFC fight may be his last

#4. UFC is playing hardball with Nate Diaz

The UFC's top brass is comprised of tough negotiators who wield a lot of power over their fighters. Whenever fighters don't align with the UFC's wishes, they're often punished in various ways.

Nate Diaz, who has been historically difficult to negotiate with, has likely earned the UFC's ire for his negotiating conduct and refusal to give in to their wishes. As a declining fighter, it seemed the punishment the UFC reserved for Nate was to feed him to a rising star.

Not long ago, a potential match-up between him and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev was planned. Nate, who spent most of his career as a lightweight and bears a weakness against wrestling, was a tailormade opponent for Chimaev, a powerful wrestler who fights as heavy as 185 lbs.

The assumption was that Nate was being used to elevate Chimaev. A win over Nate would introduce Chimaev to the casual fanbase while simultaneously lowering the former's market value as he'd be coming off a decisive loss in his final UFC fight.

This treatment is likely to have further turned Nate Diaz away from the idea of fighting in the UFC any longer than he has to.

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#3. He isn't being given the fights he wants

In recent months, Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier have expressed a mutual interest in fighting one another. Both fighters boast decisive wins over Conor McGregor, victories that introduced them to a casual fanbase unfamiliar with most of the UFC's other fighters.

Though both Nate and Dustin were willing to fight, the UFC didn't match their shared interest in the bout.

As a result, Nate Diaz aired out his frustrations with the UFC. Not being given the fights he desires, despite his opponent exhibiting an interest in fighting him, must be frustrating enough that the younger Diaz might consider fighting for another promotion.