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Better Nate than never

Nate Diaz set to return against another former Conor McGregor rival

A lightweight bout between Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier has been booked for the UFC 230 card.

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz Nate Diaz hasn't fought since his loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 202. Tom Hogan / INPHO Tom Hogan / INPHO / INPHO

TWO YEARS SINCE he last competed in the octagon, Nate Diaz’s return to UFC action has been booked, according to multiple reports in the US.

In his first fight since losing a rematch to Conor McGregor in August 2016, Diaz (19-11) will take on lightweight contender Dustin Poirier (24-5) at UFC 230 on 3 November.

Several outlets, including ESPN and MMAFighting.com, confirmed the booking for the Madison Square Garden bill following an initial report in the Los Angeles Times.

The fight is expected to be confirmed at a UFC press conference in Los Angeles this evening, but a main event has yet to be made official for the organisation’s return to the famous New York venue later this year.

A 33-year-old native of California, Diaz suffered a majority-decision defeat to McGregor when the pair clashed for the second time at UFC 202 in Las Vegas. He had submitted the Dubliner in the second round of their bout five months earlier.

After his loss in the rematch, Diaz insisted that the only fight that interested him would be a trilogy against McGregor. The former lightweight title contender has been linked to several opponents in the meantime, but he now finally looks set to end his hiatus.

UFC Calgary Mixed Martial Arts Dustin Poirier (right) en route to victory against Eddie Alvarez. Jeff McIntosh Jeff McIntosh

A clash with Poirier has the makings of a thrilling contest in the 155-pound division. Poirier picked up a huge victory on Saturday night in Calgary by stopping former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez via TKO in the second round.

The 29-year-old from Louisiana has been on a superb run of form, dropping just one loss — to Michael Johnson in September 2016 — in his last 10 outings.

After suffering a first-round TKO loss to Conor McGregor in a featherweight bout four years ago, Poirier moved up to the lightweight division and established himself as a top contender.

He also holds victories over the likes of the durable Justin Gaethje, Donegal’s Joseph Duffy and Anthony Pettis — another ex-lightweight champion — since his change in weight class.

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