Conor McGregor: Nate Diaz’s win was motivating ‘for my own comeback’

For better or worse, the names of Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz will forever be intertwined.

The UFC stars took part in a two-fight series back in 2016, headlining UFC 196 and UFC 202, which became two of the highest grossing pay-per-views in combat sports history. They split the series, with Diaz submitting McGregor at UFC 196 and McGregor winning a majority decision at UFC 202, but a potentially lucrative third fight has yet to materialize.

While McGregor stayed has stayed busy since the Diaz rematch, fighting Eddie Alvarez and Khabib Nurmagomedov in the Octagon and Floyd Mayweather in the boxing ring, Diaz just competed for the first time in three years this past Saturday when he won a unanimous decision over Anthony Pettis at UFC 241 in Anaheim, California.

Post-fight, Diaz called out current welterweight standout Jorge Masvidal, making no mention of a potential trilogy bout with “The Notorious.”

On Tuesday, McGregor wrote an Instagram post in which he congratulated Diaz on the win, explained why he wasn’t miffed at Diaz not calling him out, and then teased that he would be ready should the stars ever align for them to fight again.

3 years to the day myself and this Mexican warrior went to war.

Congrats on the win this weekend Nate, it was motivating to see it for my own comeback. I don’t blame you not mentioning me for the trilogy bout post fight, you know what I’m like when I get going. Vicious.

I loved the round 3 style from round 1 that you implemented. It’s what I was hoping you would implement for this bout and was glad to see you do it.

I’ll be prepared for it when we go again. If we go again.

If not, respect always. A war for the ages. No bitch talk. Just real shit.

McGregor has not competed since losing a lightweight championship bout to Nurmagomedov last October. The 31-year-old has remained in the headlines due to several run-ins with the law, most recently allegedly punching a man in a bar.