Nate Diaz appeared to upset Gilbert Burns with his tweet about the UFC 251 main event.
Burns was due to fight Kamaru Usman at ‘Fight Island’ for the welterweight title, but was forced to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test, which saw Jorge Masvidal step in as a sensational last minute replacement.
It prompted Diaz to post: “Real fights are better fights.”
And Burns was scathing in response, writing: “Real? I would maul you! I will out grapple you and out box you.. and I slap you up don’t talk abt [sic] real.”
In June, when Usman vs Burns was originally announced, Diaz had expressed his disappointment.
“This is what’s wrong with people claiming they’re fighters settling for less because they know they’re not worth s***.
“You should have fought the next guy in line not the guy who would take less because he’s told to.
“That’s why no one will remember you guys. This isn’t a title fight.”
His comments came as Masvidal accused UFC of ‘strong arming’ him over negotiations to fight Usman before Burns was instead chosen.
A top welterweight contender, ‘Gamebred’ has not fought since beating Diaz at UFC 244 in November.
He has passed the first of four COVID tests before being allowed to fight, though he will now fly to Abu Dhabi to prepare.
In a long mixed martial arts career, the 35-year-old has had 48 fights and only Alistair Overeem on 56, had more before given a first title shot.
