Former UFC superstar Nate Diaz’s potential future trilogy against Conor McGregor hit a roadblock after he suffered an injury against Mike Perry.
UFC legend Nate Diaz’s first mixed martial arts appearance in years didn’t go according to plan, as Diaz dominantly lost to Mike Perry last Saturday in Los Angeles. The Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card’s co-main event was exciting for as long as it lasted, before referee Mike Beltran deemed Diaz unfit to continue competing in between rounds due to several facial lacerations.
It marked Diaz’s first MMA loss since falling to former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards by unanimous decision at UFC 273. It was also Diaz’s first stoppage loss since he was defeated by Jorge Masvidal in their inaugural BMF title showdown at UFC 244.
Despite the loss, Diaz was gracious in defeat and agreed with the referee’s stoppage. He also shut down potentially retiring, against a vocal fanbase that wanted him to hang up the gloves after losing to Perry.
But if Diaz returns to MMA, especially for a potential trilogy against Conor McGregor, it won’t be for a while.
Nate Diaz suffered hand injury just seconds into his fight with Mike Perry
The California State Athletic Commission released its full list of medical suspensions related to all of the fights at Rousey vs. Carano last Saturday. Diaz was handed a 180-day medical suspension, pending clearance from a physician, after he suffered a potential fracture in his left hand.
The nature of Diaz’s injury, as of this writing, remains unclear. If Diaz is medically cleared in the next few weeks, his medical suspension will be cut down to 60 days.
Perry received a 45-day medical suspension after the event. Jefferson Creighton, who lost to former Bellator champion Jason Jackson by a 22-second knockout, was also handed a 180-day suspension.
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