Did Nate Diaz Request His Release from the UFC over Twitter?

Former lightweight title challenger Nate Diaz has taken the UFC to task in recent months on everything from unfair fighter pay (via Fight! Magazine, h/t Bloody Elbow) to undeserving title challengers (via Twitter).

While a number of topics have irked the 28-year-old, it remains a mystery as to what motivated him to seemingly request his release from the UFC on Wednesday afternoon over Twitter. Diaz sent out a cryptic tweet that tagged both the UFC and Dana White, asking for his release from the promotion by citing it was time for him to move on:

The question mark at the end makes it hard to decipher whether or not Diaz was being completely serious. As the staff over at Fightland pointed out, The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner could merely have been poking fun at the recent contract negotiations between the UFC and fellow Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter Gilbert Melendez. On the other hand, Diaz did publicly feud with White earlier this month regarding his contract status. 

Either way, the fact remains that the longtime UFC fighter—he has been with the organization since 2007—made a public play to be released from his contract.

Diaz has been successful in four of his last six showings inside the Octagon, with his most recent outing resulting in an impressive first-round knockout over Gray Maynard. His November victory over the former No. 1 contender reestablished Diaz as a major player in the lightweight title race, but his next bout has yet to be scheduled. 

If Diaz's request is any indication of his future with the UFC, though, that next fight could come with a different MMA promotion.