Nate Diaz, UFC Reportedly Discussing UFC 227 for Potential Return

UFC has had negotiations with Nate Diaz about his potential return to the Octagon, ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto reported Tuesday. 

According to Okamoto, Diaz could fight Aug. 4 at UFC 227, but the two sides have yet to reach an official agreement. UFC president Dana White also told Okamoto there's "no update" on when Diaz might fight again.

MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani also reported UFC provided Diaz with a list of prospective opponents, with Diaz "interested in at least one name presented to him." Helwani was unable to get any specific fighters from the list in question but speculated on the most realistic options:

"One thing is clear, though: Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor haven't been discussed as potential opponents, which leaves Eddie Alvarez, Dustin Poirier and Kevin Lee as options. Second-ranked Tony Ferguson is currently rehabbing his surgically-repaired knee and would not be ready to fight in August."

Diaz hasn't fought since losing a majority decision to Conor McGregor at UFC 202 in August 2016. 

Getting the 33-year-old back would be a big boost for UFC, which needs all of the marquee stars it can get at the moment. Ronda Rousey is a full-time WWE wrestler now, Jon Jones remains unable to fight and it's anybody's guess when McGregor will fight again after he attacked a bus transporting fighters prior to UFC 223 in April.

Diaz is a bankable star and would ensure a healthy buyrate on any pay-per-view he headlines, and that's something few others in UFC can say at the moment.