Nate Diaz is a prisoner behind the metal chain-link walls of the UFC octagon, so he says.

The 37-year-old claims he’s prepared to square off against any fighter in order to fulfill his current contract and branch out into other sectors of combat sports. However, every time Diaz has requested a fight from the UFC, he’s been presented with a new contract extension by the organization, which he’d like to momentarily step away from.

“I was trying to get this s–t on the road, but they don’t want me out of contract and they’re keeping me in there and they’re holding me hostage,” Diaz said on “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani. “And I want out. That’s my main objective here.”

Diaz stated he only has one fight remaining on his current contract following his last bout against Leon Edwards at UFC 263 in June 2021, which he lost. Since then, the only fight he’s been offered is against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 276 – a match that Diaz claims the welterweight star shut down. Diaz has additionally asked to take on Vicente Luque and Tony Ferguson among others, but has received little word back.

Diaz believes his only way out of the UFC is by partaking in the promotion company’s desired headliner – a trilogy fight between him and longtime rival Conor McGregor, who’s currently recovering from a broken leg he sustained at UFC 264. For the southpaw welterweight, it’s one of the few bouts he’s not willing to take.

“They don’t want to let me out of my contract,” Diaz said. “They want me to fight Conor. I’m not fighting Conor McGregor right now. Our timelines aren’t matching up. … You bring yourself back to life, and I’ll be back later.”

The UFC did not immediately return a request for comment.

Jake Paul, Dustin Poirier and Kevin Holland have publicly called out Diaz, who expressed his willingness to face off against all of them. Paul is perhaps the most intriguing challenger, as the youtuber-turned-boxer offered to fight Diaz for free in the UFC so long as the deal included an increased minimum payout and long-term healthcare benefits for UFC competitors.

While Diaz recognized the unlikelihood of a faceoff versus Paul materializing, he added “s–t, if it gets me out of my contract, let’s do this s–t.”

“I’m interested in everything,” Diaz said. “I’m interested in activity. If he’s going to be the first one to step up, I’ll fight him, I’ll fight everybody. Anyone who wants to fight, I’ll fight that’s actually talking some s–t like Jake Paul.”

For now, Diaz’s dreams of trying his hand in boxing, jiu-jitsu and fight promotion remain just that. Not even increased prize money could sway his desire to temporarily leave the UFC.

“I don’t want no more money,” Diaz said. “I want to go do different stuff. I went in there and talked to them, and it’s with all due respect. … I might just re-sign afterward, but I need out.”