BREAKING: UFC Create History as Nate Diaz Returns to Fight Leon Edwards at UFC 262 Co-Main Event

Published 03/31/2021, 12:04 AM EDT

UFC 262 in Houston, Texas has a new marquee match-up on the cards which also happens to be historic. Welterweight star Nate Diaz makes his return to the cage after over a year away from the sport to take on Leon Edwards. This fight will be the first-ever five-round non-title co-main event in UFC’s storied history.

This is a high honor as UFC fans around the world have clamored for five-round non-title co-main events for a while now. However, given Diaz’s star power on the pay-per-view end of things, it makes sense to go down this route. Stockton’s favorite son took to social media not long after Ariel Helwani’s initial report and shared his views.

Nathan Diaz vs. Leon Edwards is set for UFC 262 on May 15 in Houston, per sources.
And, in a twist, the fight will be the first five-round non-title co-main event in UFC history.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 31, 2021

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Check me out may 15th I’ll be headlining #ufc262 in Houston Texas I’ll also have the new UFC lightweight title fight on the card I need people to know these guys are they’ve been working very hard and I can’t wait to see who gets my old 👑 I’ll see uguys there 👊🏼
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 31, 2021

Nate Diaz is clear that his comeback fight against Leon Edwards is set to overshadow the lightweight title fight on the card. He’s looking at his booking as the ‘headliner’ thus completely dismissing Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira. The lightweight title fight already faced some criticism, and this will be an additional talking point.

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UFC 262: Leon Edwards vs Nate Diaz

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Things seem to finally be heading in the right direction for ‘Rocky’ as he’s receiving the marquee bout he was looking for. Fighting Nate Diaz is sure to boost his profile amongst the casual fans and elevate his stock. Not to mention, it comes in as a stylistically favorable match-up on paper as well.

Nate Diaz on the other hand has been rather infrequent in his octagon appearances, however, he’s always game and ready. He’s coming off a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Jorge Masvidal from back at UFC 244. Wins and losses seem to mean very little to Nate Diaz as he’s embraced his role as a massive draw for the company.

However, a win over Leon Edwards will put him right in the title picture going forward in the welterweight division. Edwards is ranked number 3 in the division and Diaz will have an added incentive to put a statement performance. With a possible title shot looming if he wins, a huge payday could potentially await Diaz.

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Darryl Pinto is a senior MMA writer at EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his graduate degree in Mass Media (with a specialization in Journalism) out of Xavier’s College and has a year's experience in his current role. Darryl specializes in predictions, reporting, and covering UFC events live.

BREAKING: UFC Create History as Nate Diaz Returns to Fight Leon Edwards at UFC 262 Co-Main Event

UFC 262: Leon Edwards vs Nate Diaz

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