Well, this is a new one.

With Nate Diaz having just one fight remaining on his current UFC deal, he has been told to avoid signing a new contract by the former chief adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings.

Cummings, who was a key figure in the ‘Leave’ campaign ahead of the public vote to leave the European Union, hasn’t often been hailed as a fan of mixed martial arts — but responding to Diaz on social media, Cummings said that Diaz will make more money if he fights elsewhere before coming back to the UFC for a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor.

Do not sign new UFC contract, you will make more cash outside AND @danawhite will come do a deal at some point for trilogy @TheNotoriousMMA fight, but outside you’ll have much more leverage & make more $. Look how they screwed @GeorgesStPierre, now waiting for contract to expire

— Dominic Cummings (@Dominic2306) October 17, 2021

Do not sign new UFC contract, you will make more cash outside AND Dana White will come do a deal at some point for trilogy McGregor fight, but outside you’ll have much more leverage & make more $. Look how they screwed Georges St-Pierre, now waiting for contract to expire,” wrote Cummings, 49, on Twitter.

Diaz’s next move remains unclear. He most recently fought in the summer where he was defeated by Leon Edwards by decision and has been linked to an upcoming fight with welterweight contender Vicente Luque. However, it is though that the UFC are not keen to offer Diaz a fight until he has signed a new contract with the organisation.

Cummings’ advice is an interesting development, particularly given the fact that his advice to leave historical partnerships hasn’t quite been held in high regard by many in the UK in the last couple of years.