Logan Paul has revealed that he was close to fighting UFC legend Nate Diaz before talks collapsed at the eleventh hour.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer hasn’t fought since going eight rounds with Floyd Mayweather in June 2021 and his only professional fighting experience came in a split decision defeat to KSI two years prior.
Diaz recently brought his 15-year UFC run to an end. Since then, he’s suggested a switch to boxing is imminent but, other than outlandish talks with Eddie Hearn about a fight with Canelo Alvarez, he’s been quiet on the matter.
Despite that, it appears his team has been doing the talks for him behind the scenes as ‘The Maverick’ Paul recently revealed they were extremely close to striking a fight deal.
Paul told BT Sport: “I think he’s running. This guy, I think he’s ducking.
“We have the sweetest deal for him and he knows the type of numbers I bring in. I’m not a quarter of a million [pay-per-view buys] type of fighter, you’re going to get 750,000 to 1,000,000 buys, and I’m an 0-1 YouTuber. Seems like an easy fight on paper, no?
“It’s Nate Diaz... I don’t even care anymore. I thought I had something locked in and apparently he called and said the fight was off.
"Like, why? Why? So he could fight someone else? For what purpose? To get less buys, and maybe an easier fight? I don’t get it.”
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The 27-year-old is still pursuing Diaz and is hopeful he may be able to tempt the former UFC lightweight title challenger by offering him a bit more money.
Paul added: “As far as I know, it’s not dead because we had to f****** offer him more money.
“It’s like we have to bait this guy into fighting me. It’s hard for me to get a fight because either you aren't worth my time and energy, or you’re not going to sell pay-per-views.
“I’ll do it, but I need a dance partner. And I don’t need a tune-up fight, give me the real dogs. Nate Diaz is a dog. I was looking forward to that fight, then I got a call the other day and they said they didn’t want to do it. It was almost done.
“Let’s recount the facts: You have an extremely healthy deal on the table with the person that, by far, will sell you the most pay-per-views of any dance partner that you decide to go with.
"And I’m an 0-1 YouTuber. Why would you back out of that? I think he’s great, I think it would be a great fight. I think people would want to see that fight.
"He’s tough as hell, obviously, an MMA legend and can move the needle. I’m just hyper-ambitious, a little delusional, and can kind of box.”
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