While their competitive rivalry was among the most fractious in UFC history, it is clear that a level of respect exists between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor.

The two fighters have combined for two of the most-watched fights in mixed martial arts history — with both seemingly keeping the door ajar for a third meeting — and after spending more than six rounds in the cage with two-division UFC champion McGregor, Californian veteran Diaz feels he has a decent read of the Irishman.

And in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Diaz said that the decision to postpone the original UFC 303 main event between McGregor and Michael Chandler after McGregor sustained a broken toe was the correct — and only — move to make.

““I think it was just a minor thing,” Diaz said. “I think they made a bigger deal out of it than it is. Good idea. If I get f*cked up, I would like to push the fight back too, but people f*cking freak out. I think I wouldn’t want to fight until I’m 100 percent ready to rock too, because in the past I’ve done all kinds of sh*t I shouldn’t have done.”

Diaz comments come close to three years after McGregor’s most recent bout in the cage — a contest he entered with a shin injury that would degrade into a badly broken leg towards the end of the first round.

“So, I think he learned from experience and all these inexperienced people out there talking sh*t, just speaking for their inexperience,” Diaz said.

“They’re going to have to deal with the criticism until the fight gets done,” he added, “but I think it’ll happen and it’ll all be good.”

And as for that possible trilogy bout with McGregor?

“Yeah, we’ll see what happens with time,” he said. “It depends on what happens with my fight, his fight, UFC. I ain’t a fortune teller, you know what I’m saying? We’ll see what happens.”

Diaz boxes former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal in Anaheim, California on July 6.