Nate Diaz has emerged as the only realistic option for Conor McGregor if he decides to return to the octagon in the near future.
The Irishman's lengthy absence from the UFC has seen Dana White proclaim that the main event at UFC 223 between interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov will be for the full title - unless the Dubliner agrees to return soon.
McGregor hasn't fought in the UFC since beating Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title in November 2016 and his lengthy absence has held up the division - to the aggravation of others.
With the number 1 and 2 contenders scheduled to face each other in early April - the Dubliner's realistic options for a lightweight bout are fairly slim. Eddie Alvarez is ranked third in the division and is coming off a win but given the ease in which McGregor dethroned "The Underground King" in their first meeting - it would be a hard fight to sell.
Nate Diaz hasn't fought since losing his rematch against the Irishman in August 2016 but recently stated on social media that he's looking to get back in the mix.
McGregor and Diaz share two of the three biggest selling UFC pay-per-views and the build-up to their rubber match would likely be electric.
If the pair were to agree to headline the UFC's international fight week in July - it would allow the winner face-off against the victor from the Ferguson-Nurmagomedov saga - giving the division a badly needed shot in the arm after a relatively disappointing 2017.
As far as "super-fights" are concerned, welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is currently out injured while George Saint-Pierre is recovering from illness. Featherweight champion Max Holloway is scheduled to face Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 in March.
For a man who often says "options are good" - Nate Diaz appears to be his only one.
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