The chance of UFC re-launching a Nate Diaz vs Dustin Poirier fight is virtually non-existent, according to president Dana White.

The two fighters were set to clash at UFC 230 at Madison Square Garden next month, but Poirier pulled out of the event with an injury that was later described as a 'small setback'.

The 29-year-old is scheduled to fly out to Los Angeles for treatment this week.

Following Poirier's withdrawal, UFC confirmed that Diaz would not take part, putting his return on hold with the 29-year-old last entering the Octagon over two years ago at UFC 202, when he was beaten by Conor McGregor.

Diaz had previously pledged that he would not fight again at UFC unless it was to face McGregor in a rematch - he therefore shocked fans when he agreed a deal to fight Poirier.

Seemingly in possession of a desire to return, many have urged UFC to re-arrange the bout, with Poirier's injury confirmed as non-serious.

Dana White has, however, dismissed these pleas, saying that he is no longer interested in booking a Diaz fight unless he's desperate.

“I’m not interested in making a Diaz fight until Diaz is just absolutely dying to fight,” White told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.

“When he’s ready to fight he’ll let us know.”

The UFC president and Diaz have endured a rocky relationship, with the 49-year-old long-frustrated by the fighter and his brother Nick's refusal to arrange fights in the regular procedure recommended by UFC.

Nate created further animosity when he appeared to ask to be fired if Khabib Nurmagomedov's teammates were in an inexplicable tweet.

White refused to bill the Diaz-Poirier clash as the main event at UFC 230, and it now appears that the wait for Diaz to step back into the Octogan will be prolonged.

Pound-for-pound no.1 Daniel Cormier will face the no.2 challenger for his heavyweight title Derrick Lewis in the main event on November 3.