Gilbert Burns willing to bet big money with Nate Diaz on proposed UFC 268 matchup

How confident is Gilbert Burns that he’d beat Nate Diaz in a fight? He’s ready to put his money where his mouth is.

Burns (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) issued a clear challenge to Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) on Friday, which included a monetary wager should they throw down inside the octagon (via Twitter).

A five-round fight between Burns and Diaz at Madison Square Garden? Who’s opposed?

UFC 268, headlined by a welterweight title rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, is expected to take place November 6 at MSG in New York.

Diaz was among three names Burns mentioned he’d like to face after defeating Stephen Thompson on July 10 at UFC 264 – the other two being Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal, who have engaged in a war of words, perhaps setting up a fight.

Diaz, meanwhile, is coming off a five-round unanimous decision loss to Edwards on June 12 at UFC 263. Diaz nearly pulled off a stunning come-from-behind finish in the fifth round but ultimately fell short. As far as fights go, Diaz mostly has been coy about his next move – though he stirred the pot when he challenged likely next lightweight title challenger Dustin Poirier to meet at middleweight.