Nate Diaz
March 5, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nate Diaz celebrates his victory by submission against Conor McGregor during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Reuters/Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Diaz is hoping the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) would give him the same kind of promotional support that Conor McGregor has had over the past couple of years that made the Irishman such a hit in the world of mixed martial arts.

Diaz has probably scored the biggest win of his MMA career after stunning McGregor in a non-title bout at UFC 196 in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Arena. The victory puts Diaz’s name visible in the lightweight and welterweight division and the Californian fighter hopes his upset over McGregor would translate to a boost from the UFC to make him a star like “Mystic Mac.”

“[McGregor] has had a lot of help behind him,” Diaz said, reports USA Today. “I wish I had the same push, the same help, I have being doing this a long time. I think it is time.”

Despite winning the UFC 196 event, Diaz’s earnings of $500,000 (AU$671,578) was just half of what McGregor took home. According to an official pay sheet from the Nevada Athletic Commission, which was reported by the Independent, McGregor became the first UFC fighter to bag $1 million (AU$1.3 million) despite losing via submission at the end of the second round.

The numbers proved that Diaz was not yet at par with McGregor’s status within the company, but he may have gotten himself a huge stepping stone by defeating the Notorious.

Meanwhile, Diaz, who now holds an MMA record of 20-10, is primed for a title shot at either lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos, who defeated the 30-year-old American via third round unanimous decision at UFC on Fox 13 in 2014.

A title bout against welterweight champion Robbie Lawler could also be Diaz’s next fight. UFC president Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said a fight between the two welterweights would “make sense,” although the former insisted he is not making the fight yet.

"This isn't the fight I'm making, I'm just saying, [Diaz] and Robbie Lawler would make a lot of sense,” White said, reports SB Nation. “His brother beat [Lawler]. Robbie's now the world champion and Nate became very, very popular tonight.”

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