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Nate Diaz Is Now A ‘Conor McGregor-Level’ UFC Star, Says Dana White

Nate Diaz Is Now A ‘Conor McGregor-Level’ UFC Star, Says Dana White

Nate Diaz, who is eyeing up a fight with Jorge Masvidal, has been described as a "needle-mover" after his victory over Anthony Pettis.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

UFC president Dana White has firmly placed Nate Diaz in the same bracket of stardom as Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey after his stunning return to the octagon.

The UFC star, 34, ended his three-year hiatus at UFC 241 on Saturday as he picked up a win over Anthony Pettis.

And White, 50, believes that it is hard to argue against Diaz being in the same levels of stardom as Irish superstar McGregor.

The UFC president said in a post-match press conference: "Yeah. It's pretty tough to deny.

"He's a needle-mover now."

White added that Diaz has such a strong backing from UFC fans because he perfectly encapsulates the role of the anti-hero.

"Well, I think it's stuff like -- I did the fighter meeting and I specifically told him not to swear on ESPN," he explained.

PA
PA

"He looked right at me and said 'mother f****r.'

"Right after the... when he was doing his interview on ESPN. You know, stuff like that.

"I read this story -- I didn't read this story, I read the headline, from one of the big papers that had written a story about this.

"It said, 'UFC Needs An Anti-Hero And Here He Is -- Nate Diaz.'

"It's true. It's just, I said it leading up to this fight. He's the guy that says 'f**k you to the man,' but he doesn't actually say 'f**k you' to the man.

"Actually, every time I see him Nate is cool. But he just has this thing that people like."

Diaz wasted no time after his match to call out Jorge Masvidal for a blockbuster UFC clash.

Agree or disagree with White?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Anthony Pettis, Conor Mcgregor, Nate Diaz, UFC News, MMA News, UFC 241, UFC, Ronda Rousey, MMA, Dana White