Nate Diaz set to return to face Leon Edwards at UFC 262 PPV in five-round non-title co-main event

NATE DIAZ will make his long-awaited return to the octagon against British welterweight contender Leon Edwards.

The fan favourite's clash with the Birmingham bruiser will serve as the co-main event of UFC 262, which will take place in Houston, Texas on May 15.

And according to ESPN's Ariel Helwani, the pair's bout will be the first five-round non-title co-main bout in UFC history.

Diaz, 35, reacted to the news of his imminent return on Twitter, saying: "Check me out May 15th I’ll be headlining #ufc262 in Houston, Texas.

"I’ll also have the new UFC lightweight title fight on the card.

"I need people to know these guys are they’ve been working very hard and I can’t wait to see who gets my old 👑 I’ll see u guys there."

Edwards, 29, campaigned for a fight with the youngest Diaz brother in February after the third cancellation of his proposed showdown with the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.

He tweeted: “Nate just dribbled for an hour about wanting to fight at 170 against winners… let’s see it then @NateDiaz209.

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"8 fight win streak and #3 in the world. Let’s go if you still think you’re a real one."

Diaz's showdown with Edwards will be his first outing in over 16 months.

The Ultimate Fighter season five winner hasn't set foot inside the octagon since his BMF title fight with Jorge Masvidal at Madison Square Garden, which he lost via third-round TKO.

Edwards, meanwhile, was last in action earlier this month against Belal Muhammad – with their 170lb contest ending in a no-contest following an accidental eye poke in the second round.

The Brummie is hoping to end 2021 with UFC gold around his waist, telling SunSport: "2021 is the year I become world champion.

"I become the second world champion in UK history for MMA and the UFC.

"Bisping did it first and I'll be the second world champion. 2021, this is what in envision.

"This what I've trained for, I've worked hard for.

"When I'm training, this is what is on my brain and what's motivating me while I'm training. I'll become a world champion in 2021."

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