Will Nate Diaz save UFC 222?

UFC 222 is in dire need of a new main event — and with the PPV now under a month away — the clock is ticking. Enter Nate Diaz.

According to Lance Pugmire of the LA Times, Diaz has shown interest in saving the event.

A featherweight title bout between Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar was originally scheduled to headline the March 3rd in Las Vegas. Holloway was forced to pull out from his second title defense due to an ankle injury. The UFC attempted to schedule a bantamweight championship rematch between TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt on short notice but the champ, Dillashaw, immediately turned it down.

Nate Diaz has been MIA since losing via majority decision to Conor McGregor back at UFC 202 in August of 2016. After scoring some major paydays for his two record-breaking PPV appearances opposite McGregor at UFC 196 and 202, the UFC has been unable to meet Diaz’s demands. It will be very telling to see if the promotion finds this particular event important enough to put a top draw like Diaz on there to save the show. It will be equally as interesting to see who they match him up with. The current word around the campfire is that Edgar will remain on the card to take on Brian Ortega in a number one contenders bout of sorts with the winner getting Holloway upon his return. Viable options for Diaz include Kevin Lee, Eddie Alvarez and anyone else at 155 or 170 lbs who wants to headline a show on short notice for a high-profile bout. Stay tuned.