UFC 230 co-main event fighters, top ranked lightweight contender Dustin Poirier and popular MMA fighter Nate Diaz had been demanding to officially be made the main-event of the evening and be given a shot for a new 165 pounds title. However, UFC President Dana White had outright and adamantly refused the idea and had boldly stated that a new division for their fight will not be created.While this dream match-up took a massive hit when it was recently revealed that Poirier had suffered an injury and has pulled out of the fight, fans have been further disappointed by Diaz too apparently getting pulled off the fight card.
Diaz, who has not fought in the UFC ever since his second fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 202, was scheduled to make his long awaited return at UFC 230 in New York. Even though the fight against Poirier fell through, the UFC still were looking to keep Diaz on the card and were thus looking for a replacement for Poirier.
In a recent turn of events, LA Times sports reporter, Lance Pugmire has tweeted that Dana White has revealed to him that Diaz is being taken off the card. It is being speculated that Diaz is being pulled because the UFC matchmakers have been unable to find a suitable replacement for Poirier.
Below is the tweet by Pugmire:
Nate Diaz definitely off UFC 230, Dana White tells me…
— Lance Pugmire (@pugboxing) October 10, 2018