Nate Diaz must have watched with keen interest as Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov slugged it out at UFC 229.

The 33-year-old remains one of the biggest names in the sport and was due to make his long-awaited return to the company against Dustin Poirier at Madison Square Garden next month.

However, it was revealed by MMA Fighting on Tuesday night after Poirier had pulled out of the fight, adding to the long saga that has surrounded UFC 230. 

The lightweight contender suffered a currently undisclosed injury and whether or not Diaz will still fight on the card remains to be seen.

Of course, the last time Diaz stepped into the octagon came in August 2016 when he rematched McGregor in an absolute slugfest in Las Vegas.

Nate Diaz's next opponent

He had become the first man to defeat McGregor in the UFC just five months previously, shocking the world by making the 'Notorious' tap out in the second round.

Nevertheless, McGregor would score a majority points decision when the two met again and fans have been hoping for a trilogy ever since.

As everybody knows, though, McGregor's return to MMA didn't exactly go to plan as Nurmagomedov secured a submission victory over the weekend.

Diaz wants Khabib next

It's left fans wondering where the future lies for the lightweight and welterweight divisions' biggest fighters and especially now that all three are without an agreed fight.

Well, ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani did manage to catch up with Diaz after the UFC 230 disappointment and couldn't resist posing the question: 'what's next?'

And after the events of the weekend, it would be fair to say Diaz gave a remarkable answer.

The American simply responded by saying: “I’ll just fight Khabib when he’s ready.”

Now that would be an exciting clash.

Despite the potential for a third fight with McGregor, it seems Diaz is far more interested in taking on Nurmagomedov who holds the lightweight title and boasts a perfect MMA record.

The 33-year-old would likely have to move down to 155 pounds for the fight and it could prove one of the few money contests Nurmagomedov is still interested in.

Of course, there would be countless moving parts towards agreeing a deal and no more so than the doubt over Nurmagomedov and his team ever securing a US visa again.

If Diaz really wants it, though, he could travel across the world to try and claim the belt.

Fans would be incredibly interested to see a fight between the only two UFC fighters to get the better of McGregor and there would be no shortage of fireworks in the build-up.

Let's hope Diaz is true to his word and Dana White can make the fight.

Who do you think would win - Diaz or Nurmagomedov? Have your say in the comments section below.