UFC 279: Nate Diaz bids farewell to UFC with superb win but vows to return to take title

Nate Diaz says he is leaving the UFC to “take over another organisation”, but promised to return to the world's lead mixed martial arts promotion in future to finally claim a title.

The American, a huge fan favourite, defeated Tony Ferguson in the headline bout at UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday morning, submitting his opponent by fourth-round guillotine.

Diaz, who was originally to fight Khamzat Chimaev only for the Chechen-born Swede to miss weight on Friday, was contesting the final bout on his current UFC contract.

Immediately after the hugely popular victory, Diaz told Joe Rogan inside the octagon that he was grateful to the UFC's top brass, saying: “At the end of the day, I love the UFC. Shout out to Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, and Hunter Campbell for giving the opportunities and the platforms the whole time for everybody, and for myself.

“I want to get out of the UFC for a minute and show all these UFC fighters how to take over and own up another sport how you’re supposed to do it. Because Conor McGregor didn’t know how to do it, and none of these other fighters know how to do it."

Diaz added: “I’m going to go out there and I’m going to take over another profession and become the best at that, show everybody I’m the best at that. And then I’m going to be right back here to get a UFC title. The best title in the world.”

Diaz, 37, has competed in the UFC since 2005. The Stockton, California native has already detailed plans to launch his own promotion – Real Fight, Inc – while he has not ruled out crossing over into boxing.

“I outdid everybody on pay, I outdid everybody on surviving,” Diaz said of his time in the UFC. “I’ll show everybody how to own another sport. So all you [expletive] out there trying to run