Neither the UFC nor his peers in the UFC lightweight division have had much luck in tempting Nate Diaz back to the cage following his loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 202 last August in Las Vegas.

Diaz, who earned a career-high $2 million in disclosed pay for the McGregor bout, has gone on record as saying the only fight he is willing to take is a third date with the Irishman and recently rebuffed UFC efforts to book him against former 155-pound champion Eddie Alvarez.

Dustin Poirier, now 5-1 in the 155-fold since moving up from featherweight following a loss to Conor McGregor, wants to be the guy to tempt Diaz out of his self-imposed hiatus. Speaking to MMAJunkie Radio, the Louisiana native outlined why he thinks this is the fight to make for both him and Diaz.

“I want Nate Diaz, how about that? Is he going to sit around and wait for Conor for a couple more years and waste the prime of his life, the prime of his career, or is he going to throw some hands? That’s what I want to know”, Poirier said.

Poirier defeated Jim Miller at UFC 208 last weekend in what was one of the better bouts from a forgettable night of fights and, aside from dropping a loss to Michael Johnson, has looked in top form in the lightweight division with only his wins over Miller and Joe Duffy going to a decision.

While Poirer says he has a lot of respect for Diaz, he says that he just wants an opportunity to break into the top ten in his division.

“I respect all these guys. Sometimes in the past I’ve got heated with guys; that’s just in the moment. I respect everybody who makes that walk to the octagon and fights for a living, fights for their family and puts it all on the line. Every one of these guys is a warrior and has nothing but respect from me.

“I respect Nate but he is in my way. He’s in the top ten and he’s in the way to my title shot. I want him, I want Michael Chiesa — I want anyone in the top ten who’s going to take a damn fight.”