Nate Diaz Has Pulled Out Of UFC 244’s Main Event Against Jorge Masvidal Over A Drug Test Dispute

The UFC is headed to Madison Square Garden next weekend, and the card’s scheduled main event had all the makings of a war between two of the most entertaining fighters in the game. UFC 244 will take place on Nov. 2, with Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal slated to square off for the belt the promotion made specifically for this bout, the “Baddest Motherf*cker” title.

Unfortunately for those hoping to watch a slugfest, that won’t end up happening. Diaz posted a letter to his Twitter account on Thursday afternoon announcing his decision to pull out of the fight. As he tells it, a drug test showed “elevated levels that they say may be from tainted supplements,” and until the situation is resolved, he refuses to step into the octagon.

Diaz made his return to the UFC after nearly three years off back in August, when he defeated Anthony Pettis by unanimous decision to move to 20-11 in his career. At the conclusion of his fight, he expressed interest in squaring off against Masvidal, who was seated at ringside and was looking for his next opponent following his stunning first-round knockout of Ben Askren in July to move to 34-13 in his career.

Despite Diaz pulling out and his future in the UFC now being up in the air, Chisanga Malata reports that the promotion had a backup plan, and Leon Edwards, who is currently riding an eight-fight winning streak, will fill in.

It is unclear if Masvidal-Edwards will be for the BMF title, but hopefully things get resolved with Diaz soon. He’s one of the most popular fighters in the game, and whether it would come against Masvidal or someone else, it’s always fun watching him throw hands in the octagon.