Eddie Alvarez and Kevin Lee answer Nate Diaz’s call

Earlier this week Nate Diaz took to social media to declare that he was ready for a return to the Octagon this summer. Almost immediately, this news was met with a response from both Eddie Alvarez and Kevin Lee.

May-June is perfect @NateDiaz209 , see you then big guy 👊🏻 💥#Eastcoastbeastcoast #Ufcmostviolent

— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 24, 2018

Put yo money up then @NateDiaz209 Or shut the fuck up and go back to riding bikes around the park https://t.co/g0DrhPY2zR

— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) January 24, 2018

Both fighters would make intriguing match ups for Diaz. That said, from a fans perspective Alvarez would likely provide the more entertaining match up of the two options given his tendency to stand and trade with his opponents.

Alvarez took to twitter to press his case for the match up, retweeting a number of posts about a potential match up between the self proclaimed most violent fighter in the UFC and Diaz. He then followed up with a pair of tweets accusing Diaz of ducking the fight.

If You only want Connor there's nuttin wrong wit that but Keep it 💯 wit everyone @NateDiaz209 , don't call out the entire division when You don't want No work from anyone of Us . It's as phony as your whole character You fucking Dork . You changed man #Fakenews

— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2018

FYI @NateDiaz209 had a common friend text me a message he sent Saying He ain't trynna fight me because I Lost's to Connor and he beat Connor on some mma Math shit . I was as shocked as You are right now …. You forget RDA ragdolled You . #Natesfakenews

— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 26, 2018

Should Alvarez’s claim that Diaz isn’t interested in fighting him due to his losing to Conor McGregor in the past be true, it could ultimately put the brakes on what had the potential to be an outstanding stand up battle between the two veterans.

Diaz would likely prefer a third tilt with McGregor which would be significantly more lucrative for him from a financial point of view. That fight, for now, seems to be firmly on the back burner with the UFC lightweight title picture already somewhat of a mess.

It isn’t the first time there have been calls for Alvarez and Diaz to meet each other in the cage. Back in 2015 the pair exchanged words backstage at UFC 188 following Alvarez’s narrow split decision victory over Gilbert Melendez, a friend and team mate of Diaz. Despite there being significant interest in putting the two together for a fight, nothing materialised with each fighter turning down the other. Now though, with Alvarez coming off a KO victory against the previously unbeaten Justin Gaethje and Diaz being inactive since losing a decision to Conor McGregor back in 2016, the time might be right for the two to finally settle things.