Britain's Leon Edwards will face a big-name hurdle on his road to a welterweight title shot when he meets Nate Diaz in the second fight from the top at UFC 262 on May 15 in Houston, Texas.
The PPV, headlined by Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira for the lightweight championship vacated by Khabib Nurmagomedov, will also feature a non-title five round fight beneath the top for the very first time as Edwards makes a quick return to action after his Mar. 13 bout with Belal Muhammad ended in a no-contest just 18 seconds into the second round due to an accidental eye poke.
Diaz, one of the company's most frequent bonus winners and formerly one half of the record UFC buyrate, has not fought since a defeat to Jorge Masvidal in 2019.
When Diaz was called out by Edwards in the past, the American responded: "And who the f— is this?"
Edwards had previously said: "Nate just dribbled for an hour about wanting to fight at 170 against winners… let’s see it then Nate Diaz.
"[I'm on an] eight-fight win streak and No.3 in the world. Let’s go if you still think you’re a real one."
Some were disappointed that Edwards' next fight was not confirmed to be a rematch with Muhammad, given the inconclusive nature of their meeting weeks ago.