‘Free Conor’: Nate Diaz advocates for Conor McGregor on St. Patrick’s Day

nolan king

Sun, Mar 17, 2024, 3:13 PM·18 min read

That’s the message Nate Diaz expressed Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, toward his longtime Irish rival.

“This was me for years before Conor even got here,” Diaz wrote on X. “They want u to die before u get out these contracts it’s up to u to make something pop no one gonna help you but you Free Conor it’s at pattys day in this b*tch.”

Diaz’s comments refer to McGregor’s continued public calls for a UFC return while doing media rounds for his upcoming film “Road House.” While McGregor has expressed interest in fighting, UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly indicated McGregor’s wealth and the film have gotten in the way.

This was me for years before Conor even got here they want u to die before u get out these contracts it’s up to u to make something pop no one gonna help you but you
Free Conor it’s at pattys day in this bitch ☘️ pic.twitter.com/X4WQVNV79X
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 17, 2024

McGregor, 35, has not competed since a July 2021 leg break suffered in a fight vs. Dustin Poirier. He underwent extensive rehabilitation and removed himself from the UFC’s anti-doping testing pool. McGregor reentered the pool in October, with the promotion indicating he’d need to undergo six months of testing before his return.

Diaz, 38, became a free agent in November 2022. He boxed Jake Paul in August and lost a decision. He’ll return for another boxing match on June 1, this time vs. former UFC opponent Jorge Masvidal.

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US PRESSWIRE Sports

Dec. 30, 2011; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UFC fighter Nate Diaz (left) talks with UFC president…

Dec. 30, 2011; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UFC fighter Nate Diaz (left) talks with UFC president Dana White after winning a lightweight bout at UFC 141 at the MGM Grand Garden event center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz

March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in with a punch against Conor…

March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in with a punch against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz

March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in for a punch against Conor…

March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz moves in for a punch against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz

March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates his victory by submission against Conor…

March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates his victory by submission against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 196-McGregor vs Diaz

March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates after his victory during UFC 196…

March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates after his victory during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Aug 20, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (red gloves) competes against Conor McGregor (blue…

Aug 20, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (red gloves) competes against Conor McGregor (blue gloves ) during UFC 202 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 202-Diaz vs McGregor 2

Aug 20, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (red gloves) competes against Conor McGregor (blue…

Aug 20, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz (red gloves) competes against Conor McGregor (blue gloves) during UFC 202 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 202-Diaz vs McGregor 2

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Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz face off in August 2018.

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MMA: UFC 241-Pettis vs Diaz

August 17, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; Nate Diaz and Anthony Pettis shake hands following their match…

August 17, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; Nate Diaz and Anthony Pettis shake hands following their match during UFC 241 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Nate Diaz is seen at a news conference for the UFC 244 mixed martial arts event, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in New York. Jorge Masvidal is scheduled to fight Diaz Saturday, November 2 at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan) ORG XMIT: NYOTK

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UFC 244: Pre-fight press conference

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Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Nate Diaz (blue gloves) gets treatment during his fight…

Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Nate Diaz (blue gloves) gets treatment during his fight against Jorge Masvidal (red gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports

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Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz at UFC 244. (USA TODAY Sports)

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MMA: UFC 263-Weigh Ins

Jun 11, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; UFC fighter Nate Diaz during weigh ins for UFC 263…

Jun 11, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; UFC fighter Nate Diaz during weigh ins for UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 263-Weigh Ins

Jun 11, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; UFC fighter Nate Diaz during weigh ins for UFC 263…

Jun 11, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; UFC fighter Nate Diaz during weigh ins for UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 263-Diaz vs Edwards

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz before fighting against Leon Edwards during UFC 263…

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz before fighting against Leon Edwards during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 263-Diaz vs Edwards

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz fights against Leon Edwards during UFC 263 at…

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz fights against Leon Edwards during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz reacts against Leon Edwards during UFC 263 at…

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz reacts against Leon Edwards during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 263-Diaz vs Edwards

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz lands a kick against Leon Edwards during UFC…

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz lands a kick against Leon Edwards during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 263-Diaz vs Edwards

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz lands a hit against Leon Edwards during UFC…

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz lands a hit against Leon Edwards during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 263-Diaz vs Edwards

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory…

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 263-Diaz vs Edwards

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz reacts following his loss by decision against Leon…

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Nate Diaz reacts following his loss by decision against Leon Edwards during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Sep 25, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Nate Diaz brother of Nick Diaz in attendance during…

Sep 25, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Nate Diaz brother of Nick Diaz in attendance during UFC 266 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Nate Diaz UFC 279 ceremonial weigh-ins

Welterweight fighter Nate Diaz poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for the UFC 279 mixed martial arts…

Welterweight fighter Nate Diaz poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for the UFC 279 mixed martial arts event, Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Las Vegas. Diaz is scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson, a replacement for Khamzat Chimaev, who was overweight. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

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Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson UFC 279 ceremonial weigh-ins

Welterweight fighters Nate Diaz, left, and Tony Ferguson shake hands during a ceremonial weigh-in for the…

Welterweight fighters Nate Diaz, left, and Tony Ferguson shake hands during a ceremonial weigh-in for the UFC 279 mixed martial arts event Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Las Vegas. Ferguson is a replacement for Khamzat Chimaev, who was overweight. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

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