After remaining inactive since August 2016, it finally looks like we could be edging closer to a Nate Diaz return with rumours suggesting he could feature on the UFC 227 card on August 4, as revealed by ESPN.

They posted: “The UFC and Nate Diaz have discussed the possibility of him returning to the Octagon at UFC 227 on Aug 4, according to sources. Although an official deal remains uncertain, the two sides have at least discussed the August date as recently as last week, sources told ESPN.”

RETURN

Despite the lack of confirmation, this is still an important hurdle the UFC has overcome if they are indeed in talks for the Stockton native to make an epic comeback after losing in his rematch against Conor McGregor at UFC 202.

Currently, the only fight featured on the Los Angeles card is the highly anticipated rematch between T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt in their bantamweight championship clash. One question everybody is going to be asking, though, is which weight class Diaz will return in and then that obviously narrows down which opponent he could face.

The fact that he’s adaptable does make it more exciting, as the UFC will have some huge lightweight and welterweight fighters who would jump at the chance to fight Diaz in his return, which is bound to gauge plenty of interest.

The reason many believe Diaz has not shown an interest in returning is because the organisation hasn’t done enough to secure a trilogy fight with McGregor. Currently, the Notorious and Diaz have picked up one win a piece and both men know that a trilogy is going to create a lot of buzz and result in even more money heading to their bank accounts.

MONEY

However, long-time teammate and former UFC welterweight Jake Shields has revealed that Diaz isn’t going to return just for the Irishman, but that a huge payday is what is motivating him to step inside of the Octagon again when he spoke to The MMA Hour.

According to MMA Mania, he said: “He’s not just looking for Conor.

“He’s looking for a fight that makes sense and that’s going to give him a big payday and a lot of hype.”

Other than McGregor, there’s not anybody in the UFC that can generate that amount of interest and financial gain for Diaz, despite big names being available.

Despite McGregor looking like an unlikely option for Diaz, it’s obvious that any return is going to have the fans interested while there will be a long queue of fighters looking to not only inflict another loss on his record, but earn a ridiculous payday in the process.

What do you make of Nate Diaz looking to return to the UFC for a huge payday, and not Conor McGregor? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.