“Topuria’s a dumba**,” Diaz said on his X (formerly Twitter) page.
The post comes not long after King Green, a fellow UFC veteran, used part of his UFC Mexico post-fight interview to encourage the promotion to re-sign Diaz — so that he can fight him.
“Hey Dana, bring my boy Nate Diaz back to the UFC and let him retire where he belongs,” Green said following his win over Daniel Zellhuber.
Who Could Face Nate Diaz In A Potential UFC Return?
For several months now, ideas about Diaz returning to MMA have been floated, with the talks intensifying over the last couple of weeks.
Diaz vs. Poirier was notably scheduled to take place at UFC 230, but the fight ultimately fell through. Perry and Diaz have each had call-outs with one another for a bare-knuckle boxing bout.
Diaz last fought in the UFC at UFC 279, submitting Tony Ferguson. Since then, he’s competed in a pair of boxing matches, losing to Jake Paul in 2023 and defeating Jorge Masvidal in 2024.
Nate Diaz believes Max Holloway (27-8) will successfully defend his BMF title against Charles Oliveira (36-11) at UFC 326, setting up a potential return to the promotion in June.
Holloway is set to put his BMF title on the line against Oliveira on March 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the main event of UFC 326, where he aims to be the first fighter to successfully defend the ceremonial UFC belt.
El cinturón BMF está en juego nuevamente!!! #UFC326
Nate Diaz Claims He’ll “Slap” Max Holloway on UFC White House Card
Nate Diaz last fought in the UFC in 2022, choking out Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Since then, he has fought Jake Paul and rematched with Jorge Masvidal in the boxing ring.
Despite his success outside the UFC, Diaz has expressed interest in returning at the UFC White House event this June. He also claimed he started a whole division with his initial BMF title fight in 2019.
“I like Max (in that fight),” Diaz told ClockedNload. “Yeah [I like Max in that fight]. I’ll slap the sh*t out of him, though. That was rude what I just said, but I’ll f*ck him up. Yeah, the White House [event] would be perfect.”
“I’ll slap the sh*t out of Max Holloway… White House would be perfect.”
Dana White Left The Door Open For Nate Diaz’s UFC Return
Throughout his UFC career, Nate Diaz and Dana White didn’t always see eye to eye, with the UFC CEO often joking about the difficulty of dealing with the Diaz brothers.
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) June 5, 2016
However, White indicated that the door is open for Diaz to return to the promotion.
“This will always be Nate’s house. Nate grew up here… He fought some of the biggest fights ever here. We love the kid. I don’t know about fighting in the future, but this will always be his house. We’ll see,” White said at the DWCS 57 post-fight press conference.
Nate Diaz has made his intentions clear: he wants back in “real action” and has his sights set on three potential opponents for the historic UFC White House event scheduled for June 14, 2026. In an interview with TMZ Sports, the 40-year-old Stockton native didn’t hold back when discussing his return plans.
“I’m ready to get back in real action. I want to fight either McGregor, maybe Dustin Poirier if he stops being such a p*ssy, and maybe Mike Perry.”
The callout comes as UFC President Dana White finalizes the fight card for the unprecedented White House event, which will take place on the South Lawn and coincide with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Dana White confirmed this week that the six-to-seven fight card is already built and will meet with President Trump this week to finalize production plans.
Diaz Praises Jake Paul, Confirms White House Interest
Diaz also commented on Jake Paul’s recent performance against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, praising Paul for taking on the toughest challenge of his career.
“He’s doing a great job,” Diaz said of Paul, who lost via sixth-round knockout on December 19, 2025, suffering a double broken jaw in the process. Diaz previously defeated Paul by majority decision in their July 2023 boxing match.
When asked about the UFC White House event, Diaz expressed clear enthusiasm for the opportunity.
“Yeah, that’d be dope, to. America gang, baby. You already know what’s popping.”
The fighter emphasized his desire for a legitimate MMA contest rather than another exhibition bout, stating he wants a “real fight” for the “right price.”
Three Names, One Stage
The most obvious matchup is the long-awaited trilogy with Conor McGregor. The two legends split their 2016 encounters, with Diaz submitting McGregor at UFC 196 before losing the rematch at UFC 202. McGregor has confirmed his participation in the White House event and hasn’t fought since breaking his leg against Poirier in July 2021.
Diaz’s callout of Dustin Poirier escalates a feud that dates back years. Poirier retired in July 2025 after losing to Max Holloway at UFC 318, but still has multiple fights remaining on his UFC contract. The former interim lightweight champion has struggled with retirement and recently teased a comeback, specifically mentioning Diaz as a potential opponent for Zuffa Boxing.
The wild card is “Platinum” Mike Perry, now a free agent after starring in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Diaz’s emphasis on wanting a “real fight” for the “right price” suggests he’s prioritizing a UFC return over other formats.
Nate Diaz is teasing a return to MMA, setting his sights on the ‘BMF’ title. Diaz posted on X on Wednesday asserting his claim as the originator of the ‘BMF’ title and his intention to win it.
“Let’s not act like I didn’t start a whole division bringing value to all these guys claiming they’re it. I gave opportunity and put notice on the dopest fights. I got unfinished business and I plan on going and taking what’s mine ASAP. First to ever start a division and the dopest one at that.”
Diaz previously lost to Jorge Masvidal for the inaugural ‘BMF’ title at UFC 244.
Let’s not act like I didn’t start a whole division bringing value to all these guys claiming they’re it. I gave opportunity and put notice on the dopest fights I got unfinished business and I plan on going and taking what’s mine asap 1st to ever start a division and the dopest… pic.twitter.com/DbiYibmqb6
As a free agent, Diaz has been inactive in MMA since approximately 2023, but is interested in a UFC return including the White House event in 2026.
Diaz last fought in the UFC nearly three years ago. He has expressed interest in returning to MMA, boxing, and jiu-jitsu to stay active, and confirmed his interest in fighting at the UFC White House event in 2026. Diaz has also targeted Paddy Pimblett as a potential opponent for 2026. His last pro fight was in 2004, winning a majority decision in boxing.
Michael Bisping wants to see McGregor vs. Diaz 3 go down at The White House.
Ever since U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intent to hold a UFC event on the lawn at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, pundits have been busy fantasy booking the history-making fight card, with everything from Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall to a rematch between bitter rivals Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal being at the top of their lists.
But one fighter ‘The Count’ would love to see make his triumphant return in the nation’s capital next year is non other than the ‘Stockton Samurai’ himself, Nate Diaz.
“Diaz is a bit of a badass,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “The way that he carries himself, the way that he keeps it real.”
Diaz ended his 15-year run in the UFC in 2022 following a submission victory over Tony Ferguson. Since then, he’s competed in boxing bouts against Jake Paul and the aforementioned Jorge Masvidal, but Diaz has always insisted his return to the Octagon was just a matter of time.
“Nate Diaz wants to come back,” Bisping continued. “First of all, he’s got to sign with the UFC.”
Bisping wants McGregor vs. Diaz 3 at The White House
As for who Diaz could potentially face in a potential return, Bisping thinks a fight with former featherweight champ and reigning BMF titleholder Max Holloway would be a hell of a matchup.
“If I’m Max Holloway, why not? 100%,” Bispsing said. “That would be a great fight for Max Holloway. The version of Max Holloway at 155 pounds, I think he would have a field day with Nate Diaz.”
However, the former middleweight champ thinks there is an even bigger fight for Diaz — one that could turn the proposed White House card from a cheap gimmick into must-see TV.
“Wouldn’t you rather see Nate Diaz versus Conor McGregor at the White House? That’s the fight that I’d rather see if I’m honest,” Bisping added.
McGregor and Diaz have met twice before, competing in back-to-back bouts under the UFC banner in 2016. Diaz stepped in on short notice to fight the former two-division titleholder at UFC 196, and handed McGregor his first-ever defeat inside the Octagon.
Five month later, McGregor scored some redemption, besting Diaz via majority decision at UFC 202. Three months after that, McGregor would go on to KO Eddie Alvarez and claim the lightweight world title, becoming the promotion’s first-ever simultaneous two-division champion.
Former UFC star Nate Diaz wants to get back to active competition – and it’s safe to say that he’s got a lot of big plans for when he does.
As we know, Nate Diaz is a big fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. He’s achieved some incredible things throughout the course of his iconic career, and the masses adore him for doing so. While he may never have quite reached the top of the mountain, he certainly became one of the biggest household names in the wake of his two-fight series with Conor McGregor.
Nowadays, though, Nate Diaz is outside of the UFC looking in. He’s made it clear that he’s interested in a comeback at some point in the future but in equal measure, he’s also pretty interested in the idea of carrying on with boxing.
In a recent interview, Nate Diaz opened up on a few of the potential opponents he could face in the middle of the cage or ring.
Nate Diaz wants to fight Ilia Topuria in MMA or the winner of Canelo-Crawford in boxing 😅 pic.twitter.com/bcnUqsptwR
“I would fight, with all due respect to them, Ilia Topuria. He’s doing a really good job. He’s a little small for me. On the boxing side, obviously Canelo or Crawford. I ain’t asking for nothing but, when I whoop someone’s ass, I’m gonna get them motherf***ers too. You know what I’m saying? With all due respect. So, that’s my plan. Those are probably the best fights.”
As Tom Aspinall (along with most MMA fans around the world) waits for his UFC heavyweight championship unification match, it appears Jon Jones’s next venture — in a surprising move — is outside the Octagon.
Jones will be heading to Russia alongside another UFC great, Nate Diaz, to serve as coaches for season two of ALF Reality — a Russian program similar in nature to The Ultimate Fighter.
ALF Reality‘s first season also saw two UFC stars serve as coaches, as that season featured former bantamweight title rivals Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan.
That said, several MMA fans and pundits gave the news flack, as this project provides no update for a fight with Aspinall — a fight Jones has previously stated he feels he has little obligation to fulfill.
Jon Jones To Serve As Coach On Reality Show Opposing Nate Diaz
Guess Jon Jones will be “busy” for another 6 months. Let’s just move on and strip him
Jones and Aspinall’s negotiations have gone on for months now, with Aspinall at one point showing up in the crowd at UFC London in late March, holding up a rubber duck to the camera.
Jones has fought just twice since the start of 2023 — defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 for the then-vacant heavyweight title and retaining it in a fourth-round finish of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. Jones’ win over Gane was his first fight in the Octagon since defeating Dominick Reyes to retain the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 247 in February 2020 for that matter.
Aspinall became interim UFC heavyweight champion with a 69-second finish of Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event of UFC 295 in November 2023. That was the originally planned date for Jones vs. Miocic before Jones suffered a torn pec.
Aspinall retained the interim title with a finish of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last July. If he’s required to defend the interim belt again, he would become just the second man in UFC history (following Renan Barao’s two interim bantamweight title defenses during Dominick Cruz’s injury while champion) to do so.
Nate Diaz is eyeing a return to the UFC, driven by a desire for one final pursuit of championship gold.
After a submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022, Diaz stepped away from the promotion he’d called home for nearly 15 years, seeking opportunities outside of the UFC.
Since his departure, Diaz has explored the boxing world, experiencing mixed results. He suffered a unanimous decision loss to Jake Paul in August 2023 but rebounded with a majority decision win against fellow UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal in July 2024.
Despite his ventures outside the octagon, Diaz feels his UFC legacy remains unfinished. He believes his impact within the promotion is unparalleled, and he’s now motivated to make one last run for a title.
“The legacy – I don’t think about it as done,” Diaz said in a video posted to the Full Violence YouTube channel. “… I think it’s underrated, and I think there’s like f*cking – I think I left more of an impact than a lot of these f*cking, anybody has, really. I mean, Conor (McGregor) has in a way, and then you get like, my brother did – but all that sh*t gets forgotten about too. It can go away because you ain’t getting credit to begin with anyway. You might as well keep that sh*t going forever. That’s why I plan on fighting forever.”
Nate Diaz has cultivated a devoted fanbase since his appearance on Season five of The Ultimate Fighter in 2007. His distinctive fighting style and persona, shared with his brother Nick, has earned him a cult-like following within the MMA community. The Diaz brothers’ unique presence consistently generated heightened interest in their fights, regardless of the outcome.
Diaz believes he could recapture that same level of excitement if given the opportunity for one final run at a championship. He feels that the current UFC roster lacks the kind of transcendent star power he and his brother brought to the sport.
“Well, everybody’s boring right now, so I’m trying to do other sh*t for the moment,” Diaz said. “But like, I want to go back and get a UFC title. I don’t want to fight for nothing, you know? I want to fight for something. … It’s about buzz and who’s poppin’ and who’s doing something. Right now, there’s nobody doing sh*t in the UFC.”
Should the UFC call, Diaz is ready to return at welterweight, though he’s uncertain about potential opponents.
“Nobody,” Nate Diaz said. “That’s why I’m not in there right now, you know what I’m saying? I’m watching. I’m hoping for something. … There’s no buzz, nobody’s doing sh*t. There’s nobody to fight, everybody is wack. Every single body in boxing and MMA.”
Nate Diaz, the former UFC star, is in the spotlight once again following an alleged altercation earlier this year.
Diaz has been charged with battery after reportedly striking a Las Vegas nightclub employee in the face during an incident at Omnia nightclub in Caesars Palace.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ Sports, the alleged altercation occurred on Aug. 25, just after midnight. Witnesses told police that Diaz and his group were holding up the cashier line when a club security guard approached to assess the situation. Things escalated when the fighter reportedly pushed the guard. In response, the guard shoved Diaz back, prompting the ex-UFC star to allegedly strike him in the face with “an open right hand.”
This account aligns with video footage that circulated on social media at the time. The video shows that Diaz engaged in a shoving match near the nightclub entrance before swiping at the guard’s face, knocking his glasses off.
Former UFC Fighter Nate Diaz getting into an altercation with a Bouncer at a club pic.twitter.com/4t1nkOT9cq
Court documents note that the two were separated by other security guards before police arrived, but the fighter had already left the scene.
An arrest warrant was issued for the Stockton native, and the misdemeanor case against the 39-year-old is ongoing.
Since his departure from the UFC after a victory over Tony Ferguson in 2022, Diaz has pursued boxing, competing in high-profile bouts against Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal.
Nate Diaz, known for his fiery temperament and no-nonsense attitude, found himself at the center of yet another altercation — this time after the UFC 311 press conference in Las Vegas.
The incident occurred backstage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, where Diaz hurled a water bottle in the direction of UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev and his team.
Diaz’s reputation for such antics is well-documented. He caused chaos by throwing a water bottle at Chase DeMoor during the MF & DAZN X Series 6 event in New Orleans. Perhaps his most infamous bottle-throwing incident came at the UFC 202 press conference in 2016, when he and Conor McGregor exchanged cans and bottles, creating pandemonium.
This time, tensions escalated as Diaz shouted, “Pull up, b*tch,” before launching the bottle. Members of Makhachev’s entourage, including Tagir Ulanbekov and Magomed Zaynukov, were nearby. Zaynukov retaliated by tossing an object back at Diaz. Security intervened quickly, corralling Diaz as he continued to yell at Makhachev.
The Russian, who was present for the UFC 311 on-sale press conference, appeared unfazed by the commotion. Despite the outburst, the focus of the evening eventually shifted back to the UFC 310 ceremonial weigh-ins, where Diaz accompanied main card fighter Kron Gracie.
This latest altercation underscores Diaz’s penchant for stirring up drama, ensuring his presence is always felt — whether inside or outside the octagon.
Nate Diaz has shared his thoughts on Dustin Poirier’s exciting idea for a four-man tournament to determine the next holder of the BMF title. UFC President Dana White has shown some interest in the concept.
The BMF belt was last defended in April at UFC 300 when Max Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje in a spectacular finish. Poirier, who suffered a knockout loss to Gaethje in their BMF title fight at UFC 291, recently suggested a tournament that would feature himself, Gaethje, Holloway, and Dan Hooker as the competitors.
Diaz has a notable history with the BMF title, having fought for it in its inaugural match in late 2019 against Jorge Masvidal at Madison Square Garden. The doctor stopped the fight due to a cut on Diaz, resulting in a victory for Masvidal.
Diaz expressed his opinion on social media about Poirier’s proposed tournament lineup. He feels that Dan Hooker and Max Halloway should be eligible, but the “other 2 nerds” (Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier) aren’t worthy.
Nate Diaz approves of Dan Hooker and Max Holloway's involvement in the BMF tournament but says Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje aren't eligible 😬
Diaz’s last UFC fight took place at UFC 279, where he secured a fourth-round guillotine choke submission against former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson.
Nate Diaz recently made the headlines for getting into an altercation at a club. The UFC veteran retired after submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 and went on to box former rival Jorge Masvidal in July 2024.
Over the years, Diaz has been in several heated altercations with fellow fighters and regular citizens. Although a lot of fans love to see him throw hands outside the Octagon, such incidents usually end up getting a mixed reaction in MMA circles.
Diaz’s latest brawl with a club bouncer is no exception. While some fans cheered for the UFC legend as he squared up, others like Michael Bisping have criticized him…
Michael Bisping Explains Why UFC Fighters Need To Be More Responsible Publicly While Reacting To Nate Diaz And Israel Adesanya Altercations
Bisping was reacting to Khamzat Chimaev submitting Luke Rockhold in a friendly match on his YouTube channel recently. Before beginning the breakdown, he pointed out how both fighters knew about being recorded.
On a similar note, “The Count” remembered prominent UFC fighters like Israel Adesanya and Diaz getting into conflicts and being recorded in the last week. Bisping claimed that nowadays, people intentionally try to provoke fighters and then sue them.
“That guy knew exactly who Israel Adesanya was. He was probably doing it to goad him on to maybe, sue him down the line because that’s just the state of the world we live in.”
While Adesanya is pressing charges against the person who verbally abused him, the same can’t be said for Diaz. It’s hard to justify his actions as self-defense and Bisping was quite critical of it.
“Nate Diaz, he did the same thing a few days ago. Once again, getting into some kind of altercation out and about on a night out with a doorman, you know what I mean? I’m not going to sit here and bash Nate Diaz because he’s got legions of fans but come on, what the hell? The man’s almost 40 years old, can’t be going out there and getting into altercations like this every time, every time, right? Listen, I wasn’t innocent when I was a kid but you got to grow up and mature at some point. Nate Diaz is a very very famous man, right? You got to know that people again, are going to be on their phones.”
“The Count” looked back at the times he used to get into brawls constantly but claimed to have matured with age. He expects Diaz to follow a similar route and avoid such altercations for his own good.
Tyron Woodley recently opened up about how the fallout over a proposed fight with Nate Diaz sparked tension between him and Dana White.
“The Chosen One” has always had a rocky relationship with the UFC CEO, with both men frequently exchanging sharp words about one another. Following Woodley’s one-sided defeat to Kamaru Usman at UFC 235, White didn’t hold back, openly criticizing the 42-year-old former welterweight champion for his fighting style.
White was one of Woodley’s harshest critics, even after his victory over Demian Maia at UFC 214. The UFC head honcho chastised the Missouri native for what he perceived as a lackluster striking performance, ultimately costing Woodley the chance to fight Georges St-Pierre. In response, Woodley publicly fired back at White, demanding a public apology for the harsh treatment.
Woodley Opens Up About Diss Track On White After Diaz Fight Fallout: ‘That Was My Way Of Expressing Myself’
During a recent appearance on the Overdogs Podcast, Woodley shared the backstory of his frustration. After his victory over Maia, White and Hunter Campbell approached him with the idea of defending his title against Diaz, who was then competing in the lightweight division. Despite suffering a torn labrum in the previous bout, Woodley agreed to the challenge.
However, when Woodley publicly announced the fight in an interview, he was met with a fiery denial from White, who swiftly dismissed the matchup. The UFC CEO’s abrupt U-turn left “The Chosen One” so infuriated that he chaneled his anger into creating a diss track aimed at White.
“Why the f**k would you make me look stupid on air when you just asked me to fight this dude?” Woodley said. “Then I was so mad, but I recognized I don’t own the UFC—this is their promotion, they do what the f**k they want to do. I’m thankful and I’m blessed that I can go out there and show I’m the best. So, I couldn’t beat his a, but I surely went into the studio and made a song called ‘I Beat Your A**.’ When I made that song ‘I Beat Your A**,’ the story behind that song—it was really for Dana because I wanted to beat his a**.”
“I wrote that song because that was my way of expressing myself. At that time, when I tried to speak on it, Fox would cut me off—they cut my microphone. They told me, ‘You can’t speak on this.’ Because after he made that statement, I was prepared to go back to work and defend my motherf**kin’ self.”
Woodley parted ways with the UFC in March 2021 after enduring a tough stretch of four consecutive losses from 2019 to 2021. Before this challenging period, he was riding high on a seven-fight unbeaten streak, during which he successfully defended the welterweight title four times.
Former UFC star Nate Diaz was not going to let slander of an ex-Octagon opponent go unanswered, hopping right away to defend.
Streamer Adin Ross recently broadcasted harsh criticism of Leon Edwards, who dropped the welterweight championship to Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304 last weekend.
Ross went on a near three-minute rant on Edwards after the Brit’s loss cost him a $250,000 bet, stating Edwards was the “worst champion ever” and is “a disgrace to the UFC.”
While Ross’ comments received a mixed reception from fight fans, Diaz was not having it, taking to his Instagram Stories to suggest somebody should ‘beat his ass’.
Nate Diaz Fell Short In Memorable Five-Round Leon Edwards Battle In 2021
Diaz and Edwards met in a five-round bout at UFC 263, with Edwards winning via unanimous decision. “Rocky” was in complete control for four rounds before being rocked and dropped by Diaz in the fifth, a scary moment that he managed to survive.
Prior to UFC 304, Edwards had not lost since his first encounter with Kamaru Usman at the end of 2015. His sole non-victory in that stretch was his first meeting with Muhammad in March 2021, a fight Edwards was clearly winning before a second eye poke resulted in a no contest.
Edwards, however, was unable to handle Muhammad’s wrestling in the pay-per-view bout in Manchester, thoroughly getting worked over as “Remember the Name” took the decision and title in a fight UFC CEO Dana White called “not a barnburner.”
Diaz, meanwhile, competed in a boxing match with Jorge Masvidal last month, taking a decision win and calling for a rematch with Jake Paul.
The last two years has brought about a sea of change in some of the UFC’s weight divisions, with new champions such as Dricus Du Plessis, Ilia Topuria and Leon Edwards ousting some established names on their way to the top.
With this influx of new title holders comes a changing of the guard. Some former champions have to get back in line and attempt to climb the mountain once more, while some other members of the ‘old guard’ may be watching their last opportunities at claiming UFC gold slip through their fingers.
Today, let’s take a look at five fan favourites who should have won UFC gold, but most likely won’t.
Dustin Poirier
Poirier fell short of the mark during his third (and likely final) attempt at winning an undisputed UFC title when he was submitted by the pound-for-pound number one Islam Makhachev in the fifth round of their encounter at UFC 302 earlier this year.
https://youtu.be/V6qcxW2dwMc?si=3NFUKh2HZTy4c09x
“The Diamond” made his UFC debut way back in January of 2011 when he faced Josh Grispi at UFC 125. After originally competing as a featherweight, a defeat to Conor McGregor in 2014 convinced Poirier to make the switch to 155lbs. He won nine of his next ten fights to earn a title shot against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019.
Unfortunately for him, he suffered the same result as every other fighter who has ever stepped into the Octagon to face Khabib: heartbreaking defeat. Undeterred, he worked his way back into title contention, memorably picking up two consecutive wins over his old foe Conor McGregor, before again suffering a submission loss in a world title fight when he faced Charles Oliveira in December of 2021.
To add insult to injury, Poirier was knocked out in spectacular fashion by Justin Gaethje when the pair fought for the vacant BMF title in 2023.
Back in 2011, “El Cucuy” knocked out three opponents to make it to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter Season 13, where he stopped Ramsay Nijem inside the first round to earn himself a UFC contract.
The UFC booked the pair to fight on five separate occasions between 2015 and 2020, but the match up seemed to be cursed and destined never to happen. A combination of injuries to both fighters, a global pandemic, and a bizarre incident with a TV studio cable that resulted in torn knee ligaments for Ferguson meant the fight never came to fruition.
The fifth and final cancellation (due to Covid pulling the plug on UFC 249 ) cost Ferguson a shot at glory, as by that time Nurmagomedov had won the 155lb title by beating Conor McGregor.
When the event eventually did take place, Ferguson found himself standing across from a new opponent: Justin Gaethje. He was soundly beaten in what has turned out to be the first of seven consecutive losses inside the Octagon.
Gaethje, much like his former opponents Poirier and Ferguson, is another fighter who will likely look back on his career when all is said and done and think “what if?”
The former World Series of Fighting world champion arrived in the UFC in 2017 with a reputation for a wild and reckless approach to fighting. After a mixed start to career inside the Octagon, he linked up with coach Trevor Wittman and refined his game, before embarking on an impressive winning run.
The dominant victory over Tony Ferguson at the height of the pandemic in 2020 earned him a title shot against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Much like Poirier, however, he was submitted with relative ease by the Dagestani, who announced his retirement immediately afterwards.
A victory over Michael Chandler upon his return a year later was enough to earn him another shot at glory, and he took on Charles Oliveira at UFC 274. “The Highlight” fell short of the mark once again, as “Do Bronx” submitted him in little over three minutes.
After returning to winning ways against Rafael Fiziev, Gaethje took on Dustin Poirier for the BMF title at UFC 291. The second-round head knockout remains one of the finest moments of his storied UFC career and elevated him back into the number one contender spot in the lightweight rankings.
Gaethje put that ranking on the line when he agreed to defend his BMF belt against Max Holloway at UFC 300 earlier this year, and the gamble failed miserably. Gaethje was knocked out in the final second of the five-round match up, and fellow contenders Dustin Poirier and Arman Tsarukyan leapfrogged him in the title picture at 155lbs.
Thompson transitioned into MMA in 2010 after an insanely successful kickboxing career. Between his amateur and professional careers in the kickboxing ring, “Wonderboy” amassed a record of sixty-two wins and zero defeats.
Image: Stephen Thompson IG
After an unbeaten start to his MMA career, he announced his arrival in the UFC with a first-round headkick knockout win over Dan Stittgen in 2012. Thompson won nine of his first ten fights inside the Octagon, beating some notable names such as Johnny Hendricks, Robert Whittaker and Rory McDonald before earning a title shot against then-welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
Their five-round clash at UFC 205 finished as a majority draw, a result which meant Woodley kept the belt, but many fans felt Thompson should have won. The rematch four months later was ruled a majority decision victory for Woodley, but again many observers had felt that Thompson should have been the one getting his hand raised.
Four wins and five defeats in the years since have meant Thompson being seen as somewhat of a gatekeeper in the welterweight division, and the 41-year-old will surely look back at those two title fights and wonder what might have been.
Nick Diaz
For younger fans of MMA, Nick Diaz’s younger brother Nate will be regarded as somewhat of a superstar in the world of combat sports. For the generation of spectators old enough to remember promotions such as Elite XC, Strikeforce and Pride, 40-year-old Nick Diaz will always be known as a true “O.G.” of the sport.
In two separate stints in the UFC between 2003 and 2011, the older Diaz brother beat legends such as Robbie Lawler and BJ Penn, while also racking up impressive wins over Franks Shamrock, Paul Daley and Takanori Gomi during his sabbatical in other promotions.
In 2012, Diaz lost an interim title fight to Carlos Condit, before losing to UFC welterweight champion George St-Pierre in a title fight the following year. His fight against Anderson Silva in 2015 was retrospectively changed to a “no contest” and a five-year suspension due to a marijuana violation followed.
Conor McGregor has been back in the headlines this week as he hosted his first press conference as part-owner of BKFC ahead of the company’s scheduled event in Marbella, Spain later this year.
The former UFC two-weight world champion was scheduled to fight in the Octagon for the first time in three years at UFC 303 recently, but a foot injury put paid to those plans. Speaking at the BKFC press conference, the Irishman revealed that he only has two fights left on his current contract with the UFC and said that he has ambitions to test the waters inside the bareknuckle ring once those commitments are fulfilled.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at five intriguing options we would love to see “The Notorious” face in BKFC.
Nate Diaz
The rivalry between McGregor and Diaz has simply refused to go away ever since the pair first met inside the Octagon at UFC 196 back in 2016. Diaz took the fight on short notice as a replacement for McGregor’s original opponent Rafael Dos Anjos and shocked the world by handing the then-featherweight champion his first defeat in the UFC.
https://youtu.be/G3ZsRG5gcNY?si=vAOP6EX4-yil60Ug
McGregor won an immediate rematch via majority decision just five months later and it seemed it would only be a matter of time before the pair would square off again. The rubber match never came, however, and Diaz fought out his UFC contract, finishing up with a submission victory over Tony Ferguson in September of 2022.
Although he failed to enter the title picture during his career inside the Octagon, Perry is now regarded as one of the biggest draws in combat sports outside the UFC.
Jorge Masvidal
“Gamebred” was a mainstay in the UFC’s lightweight and welterweight divisions between 2013-2023. He twice fought for the 170lb title against Kamaru Usman but was unsuccessful both times. After leaving the UFC (and temporarily retiring) in 2023 he recently made his first foray into the world of boxing when he faced Nate Diaz.
McGregor invited the former IBF and WBA welterweight boxing champion into his camp as a sparring partner in the lead up to his infamous boxing match against Floyd “Money” Mayweather back in 2017. After sharing multiple clips of McGregor knocking down Malignaggi during the workouts all over social media, tensions between the pair spiralled and rumors circulated that they would meet in a boxing match further down the line.
Malignaggi has carved out a career as a boxing commentator and analyst and has worked on BKFC events since his retirement from fighting. At 42-years-old, could we see him tempted into one more fight with his old rival?
After Nurmagomedov conclusively beat “The Notorious” at UFC 229 back in 2018 to claim the UFC lightweight championship, the Irishman campaigned tirelessly for a rematch. His disappointment at Khabib announcing his retirement just two years later was captured on camera during the filming of his documentary McGregor Forever, and the Dubliner has never missed an opportunity to berate Nurmagomedov when given the chance in the years that have passed.
Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 17, 2024, we’re taking a look at:
Meltzer claims that Diaz vs. Masvidal did ‘horrible on PPV’
Paul & Perry trade words before July 20
City Kickboxing’s Jousset gets a big home fight in Paris
Report States That Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal’s Boxing Match Massively Underperformed On PPV
On a relatively quiet week for combat sports, former UFC stars Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal met inside a boxing ring.
But a recent report suggests that despite the event being heavily spoken about, fans were not willing to pay the pay-per-view price to watch it live.
Dave Meltzer stated on a recent episode of Observer Radio that the event did not perform well, comparing it to wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action (TNA), which has always had a tough time competing against the WWE before the two companies started working together as of late.
“It did horrible on PPV, it did TNA numbers. I’m not exaggerating. I knew it would not do well, but I was absolutely stunned how poorly it did. Nobody bought the fight. People are sick of seeing MMA fighters do boxing.”
Meltzer on Observer Radio, regarding Diaz-Masvidal fight – “It did horrible on PPV, it did TNA numbers. I’m not exaggerating. I knew it would not do well, but I was absolutely stunned how poorly it did. Nobody bought the fight. People are sick of seeing MMA fighters do #BOXING”
Before they can meet on July 20 in a change of opponent for Paul, who was scheduled to be taking on Mike Tyson on this date, the two men came face to face.
As you can expect from two bold characters, there were some certainly unique moments during their conversation. That included, at one point, both men seemingly doing “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan impressions.
The highlight of the entire video was certainly the following quote from Perry, who has always had an unparalleled way with words…
“Your little baby green punches can’t even f****** reach my brain stem bro. I’m gonna dig through your eyeball and find your memories.”
Paul responded in the same way that pretty much everybody else would when being told that by the “King of Violence.”
“Please don’t do that. Please don’t do that Mikey.”
Mike Perry to Jake Paul: "I’m gonna dig through your eyeball and find your memories" pic.twitter.com/hEn7yKqqh8
Kevin Jousset Books Home Fight In Paris Against Former TUF Winner
Rising UFC welterweight and City Kickboxing fighter Kevin Jousset has got his next assignment, and it’s sure to be a bucket list one for him.
The French fighter will finally be getting the opportunity to compete in front of his home fans when he makes the walk on September 28 in Paris.
MMA Junkie’s Nolan King reported that Jousset is set to make his third Octagon appearance against The Ultimate Fighter season 29 winner Bryan Battle.
Having competed in Australia and Las Vegas since signing to the promotion, it’s time for “Air” to get the home fighter treatment following his impressive winning streak.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has little sympathy for Nate Diaz after the former UFC star began legal proceedings against Fanmio.
Fanmio staged a boxing event at Anaheim’s Honda Center on July 6, headlined by Diaz and his fellow MMA veteran Jorge Masvidal. The pair ran it back in the ring almost five years on from their showdown in the Octagon at Madison Square Garden.
The Stockton native successfully exacted his revenge, leveling his combat sports series with “Gamebred” courtesy of a victory on the scorecards following 10 rounds of competitive action between the pair.
Diaz’s attorney filed a lawsuit against the promoter in U.S. District Court in Miami on Monday, news of which was first reported by TMZ and drew a laugh out of a former opponent of the ex-UFC star’s…
Paul Amused By Diaz’s Pay Plight Post-Masvidal Fight
The suit claims that Engel pointed to a lower-than-expected profit from the Diaz vs. Masvidal match as the reason behind the alleged refusal to pay, as well as fears his wife would divorce him due to the financial loss of paying Diaz the $9 million.
Engel subsequently responded in a fiery statement, in which he accused Diaz of making “salacious and defamatory” claims. All in all, the story has turned plenty of heads and will now play out in the legal domain.
Among those to react to the situation was Paul, who welcomed Diaz to the sport of boxing following his UFC exit last August. After outpointing the Stockton native, the ex-Disney star and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) offered $15 million for a rematch in the MMA realm.
Diaz has been firm in rejecting it and insisting he’ll only compete in the cage under the UFC banner. But given the pay dispute with Fanmio, “The Problem Child” joked that his former opponent may need to revisit the PFL’s offer.
Guess that $15 million from PFL needs to be taken a little more seriously you dummy
“Guess that $15 million from PFL needs to be taken a little more seriously you dummy,” Paul wrote. “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.”
Paul also took a passing shot at Masvidal, whom “The Problem Child” has gone back and forth with in recent years.
“Oh and Masvidal you broke and can’t sell sh*t.”
While Diaz focuses on securing the full remuneration he believes he’s owed following his recent triumph, it’ll be Paul’s turn to return to the ring this weekend.
After the postponement of his Netflix showdown with Mike Tyson, the Cleveland native will face former UFC fighter and current BKFC star Mike Perry at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, in the meantime.
“The Diamond” hinted pre-fight that it could mark his farewell win or lose, and his Octagon interview in the aftermath of being submitted in the fifth and final round suggested it was the end of a memorable career.
But in the weeks since, Poirier has had somewhat of a change of heart, revealing that he’s actually leaning toward another appearance in the cage in an attempt to exit the sport on a win.
And by the sounds of it, “The Diamond” has a small group of possible foes in mind…
Poirier’s Next Opponent ‘Definitely’ On Anik Shortlist
During a recent appearance on the Anik & FlorianPodcast, Poirier further addressed talk of his retirement and the potential for one final fight post-title defeat to Makhachev.
“After the Islam fight, when I got back home, I thought like, ‘Maybe this is it.’ And then a few weeks went by, injuries started hurting less and less post-fight, and I was like, ‘I gotta do this again.’ I’ve never lost two in a row. I can’t leave this sport on a loss,” Poirier said. “But at the same time, I wanna be 100 percent in it if I’m gonna do it again because I don’t want to disrespect the sport.”
And with close to confirmation that “The Diamond” will indeed feel the Octagon canvas beneath his feat at least one more time, Anik presented a list of potential opponents for the Louisianan.
Poirier was asked whether he expects his next rival to come from a shortlist of seven major names — Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, and Colby Covington.
“100 percent,” Poirier said. “Yeah, for sure. If I do fight again, and when I do fight again, it’ll be definitely one of those guys you just said.”
Poirier has direct history with all but former featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski, having already fought McGregor, Gaethje, Holloway, and Oliveira, trained with Covington before his bitter split from American Top Team, and had a previously booked showdown with Diaz fall through.
It remains to be seen which big name will get the call for what could be “The Diamond’s” farewell. But whoever it is, the matchup will no doubt be highly anticipated should it come from that seven-figure list.
The Stockton native headlined an event earlier this month alongside fellow ex-UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, with the pair running it back in the ring almost five years on from their first clash in the Octagon at Madison Square Garden.
“Gamebred” emerged victorious in MMA, but it was Diaz who had his hand raised inside Anaheim’s Honda Center on July 6. But the boxing event’s story unfortunately hasn’t concluded with the result.
According to Diaz, he’s owed $9 million by Fanmio. The suit alleges that a $10 million overall purse had been agreed verbally and in writing, with $1 million to be paid up front and $9 million post-fight.
But the former UFC star claims Engel is not paying the $9 million fee having not profited off the fight as expected. The suit also claims that the Fanmio CEO told Diaz he couldn’t pay the $9 million over fears his wife would divorce him due to the financial loss.
Fanmio CEO Hits Back At Diaz’s ‘Frivolous’ Lawsuit
Once TMZ broke news of Diaz’s lawsuit against Fanmio, it didn’t take long for the company’s chief to release a statement.
In it, Engel accused his event’s headline victor of making “salacious and defamatory” claims in attempt to harm him and his family. He added that the “frivolous” suit has only encouraged him to ensure the “truth” emerges.
Interestingly, part of the Fanmio CEO’s defense in the statement was to insist that Diaz has “already been paid seven figures.” That fact isn’t something Diaz has denied, with the suit stating the $1 million was paid up front, but the agreed figure to be paid following the match was not.
Fanmio CEO Solomon Engel just issued this statement regarding the Nate Diaz lawsuit filed today: pic.twitter.com/dzqROwjvMn
“Nate Diaz has filed a frivolous lawsuit against Fanmio which claims that fraud and breach of contract were committed by Fanmio, yet neither has taken place. In fact, Diaz has already been paid seven figures in connection with the fight. I look forward to resolving this dispute through the appropriate process and am confident that justice will prevail. Making salacious and defamatory statements to the media in order to harm my family and I has only strengthened my resolve to ensure that the truth will triumph.”
Diaz’s suit also alleges that he was paid the $500,000 purse that was disclosed to the commission but was asked to return it in favor of getting the $9 million in one lump sum. The former UFC star claims he agreed out of good faith but hasn’t received a penny since.
Just over a week on from the boxing fight on Fanmio between Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal, the victorious Stockton star has sued the company and its owner over claims he’s yet to be paid 90 percent of the agreed purse.
Over four years on from their highly anticipated showdown inside the Octagon at UFC 244, Diaz and Masvidal ran it back in a different environment on July 6.
While Madison Square Garden played host to “Gamebred’s” victory in MMA, a packed-out crown inside Anaheim’s Honda Center witnessed the pair run it back in the boxing ring last Saturday.
Diaz successfully exacted his revenge, outpointing Masvidal across a competitive and entertaining 10 rounds of action. But his celebrations have evidently been cut short by a financial dispute with Fanmio.
TMZ reported this week that Diaz is suing promoter Solomon Engel and his company over a substantial amount of agreed pay allegedly being withheld. The former UFC fighter’s attorney, Jeremiah Reynolds, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Miami on Monday.
That was quick. Nate Diaz is suing Fanmio inc, the promoter of Diaz vs Masvidal, for $9m which he claims guaranteed to him both in writing and orally ($1m in advance which was paid and $9m after the fight) and which he alleges the Defendants has since reneged on paying him. pic.twitter.com/gBiGId2XOS
Promoter Accused Of Using Possible Divorce As Reason Not To Pay Diaz
In the suit, Diaz claims to have been promised a $10 million purse for the boxing match, both verbally and in writing. While the $1 million upfront was paid, the Stockton star and his team claim Engel is refusing to pay the post-fight sum of $9 million.
Engel is said to have not paid up after not profiting off the Diaz vs. Masvidal fight in the way he had expected.
It’s also alleged that the head of Fanmio told Diaz he couldn’t pass over the remaining $9 million in agreed pay due to fears his wife would divorce him due to the financial loss.
As a result, Diaz is suing for fraud and breach of contract, noting in the lawsuit that he wouldn’t have followed through with the match had he known the agreed $10 million purse wouldn’t be paid.
Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 11, 2024, we’re taking a look at:
Hall tells interesting story behind highlight reel finish
Parkin says Pereira may struggle with bigger grapplers
Anik suggests Poirier vs Diaz
Uriah Hall Says Michael Jai White Deserves Credit For His Finish Over Gegard Mousasi
Back in 2015, UFC middleweight Uriah Hall secured one of his greatest ever wins when he stopped Gegard Mousasi in Japan.
Hall spoke about the way he was able to secure this second-round finish during a recent episode of the Jaxxon Podcast, where he revealed an interesting story behind this win.
He stated that when watching Mousasi’s previous fight with Lyoto Machida, he noticed a tell where the Dutchman dipped his head whenever Machida feinted with his hips.
Hall then combined this with a technique that he learned during his final preparations that came courtesy of Hollywood star Michael Jai White.
“Two weeks before that fight, I was hanging out with Michael Jai White, that m*********** is legit by the way, and he was showing me how to throw techniques without no fat, no tell, no telegraph. It was the hardest s*** ever, I’m still working on some of it. He was showing me the spinning back kick and I think I was this close to him and he was like, ‘You can do it from here’ and I was like what?! He showed me how to move my body that way so when I did that jump spinning back kick, I took away the fat a little bit because I expected him to move a certain way and it just lined up perfectly.”
UFC Heavyweight Mick Parkin Says Alex Pereira May Struggle At Heavyweights With Keeping Opponents Off Him
“Poatan” went from middleweight up to 205-pounds seamlessly and with his ferocious power, he clearly has the ability to put anyone out cold.
Heavyweight contender Mick Parkin believes that Pereira may encounter one issue if he does decide to compete with the big boys on the roster.
Parkin, who regularly trains alongside the interim champion Tom Aspinall, is looking to match the longest active win streak in the division when he returns at UFC 304.
He spoke in a recent interview with Violent Money TV about how despite Pereira’s improving grappling defense, this could become an issue for him against larger opponents.
“It’s a lot different, the size. I think he’s amazing, he just keeps taking these fights and knocking everybody out. He hits so hard that he could definitely hit as hard at heavyweight and knock any heavyweight out in the world. His defensive wrestling is actually looking good but with a bigger guy it’s a lot harder so it might be a bit harder for him to get a bigger guy off on top of him. He might come up and get huge, he’s still got a big frame for it.
“But yeah, the bigger guys, I don’t know if he’s that confident as well that he would just walk the big guys down and think I’m knocking you out or if he’d be a bit more, ‘oh I don’t want to get taken down by these guys’. I don’t know how his mindset is but I definitely feel he could do good.”
Jon Anik Believes That Nate Diaz Makes A Lot Of Sense For Dustin Poirier’s Farewell Fight
There aren’t too many options out there right now that make sense for Dustin Poirier following his lightweight title fight loss at UFC 302.
“The Diamond” recently said that he was leaning towards this being his last outing because at this stage, what is he fighting for if he isn’t trying to become the champion.
One match-up that UFC commentator Jon Anik believes would be a great way to close out his career is one of the few big names in and around his weight class that Poirier is yet to face.
He was booked to fight Nate Diaz in what would have been a massive fight at Madison Square Garden back in 2018 but it never took place due to Poirier withdrawing due to an injury.
“Nate Diaz is a massive superstar and that is among a myriad of reasons why Dustin Poirier is of an appetitive nature for that particular fight and match-up and part of the reason we talked about this in context was not just Nate Diaz suggesting that he wants to come back to the UFC and pursue a championship but also because I was with Dustin Poirier recently and there aren’t that many fights that make sense for him and even some of the match-ups that have been suggested have some relative downside.”
Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal exceeded the expectations of many when they headlined a boxing event at Honda Center, Anaheim, this weekend. The constant back and forth between the MMA veterans made for an entertaining fight, and rumors around their return to the UFC have already caught fire.
Diaz last fought in the UFC in September 2022, defeating Tony Ferguson via submission. He then fought Jake Paul in August 2023 but lost via decision. After beating Masvidal on the scorecards, he called out Paul and the top UFC welterweights, teasing a return to the promotion.
Tons of fans believed the Ferguson fight was a send-off for Diaz by the UFC. However, Chael Sonnen thinks that returning for another run is feasible for the Stockton native because, well, he’s not Ronda Rousey…
Chael Sonnen Lays Down The Plan For Nate Diaz To Fight Dustin Poirier In UFC Return
Sonnen discussed Diaz’s return to the UFC on his official YouTube channel recently. He started by giving context about UFC contracts and why a star like Rousey could never return properly after losing the belt.
“I maintain for you, one of the things that cost Ronda Rousey her career was not that she was falling down in the first round over and over, it was that her contract was so big, she had to be a main event and it had to be of a pay-per-view just to justify the numbers. And main events of pay-per-views were world title fights, which means as good as Ronda was, and she was very good. She was very good, we just found out how exceptional Amanda Nunes was.”
As per “The American Gangster”, athletes like Rousey get massive contracts that can only be justified with main-event or title fights. So, Rousey struggled to find a place in the UFC when she could no longer fare well against the top women fighters.
The former UFC title challenger then explained how things are different for Diaz. He usually fights in co-main or main events but has the star power to draw viewers without a belt. A great example is his latest boxing bout with Masvidal.
“Nate’s position is going to be different and it’s got to be done. In fact, Jon Anik, one of the Diaz boys’ biggest supporters, knows the same thing to be true that I just said, and has made his suggestion, which is Dustin Poirier. Bring Nate in, get him in there with Dustin, solves every possible problem.”
Sonnen claimed that Dana White intends to organize multiple fights whenever he gives fighters a contract. Diaz seems open to fighting several times upon his UFC return which could make negotiations easier.
“The American Gangster” believes Dustin Poirier, who is potentially looking for an intriguing retirement bout, to be Diaz’s best option upon returning to the Octagon. Amidst the optimism, he also cited that renegotiating a new UFC contract and then choosing your opponent can naturally get complicated.
Hence, Diaz, who’s already 39, might want to hit while the iron is still hot.
During a recent podcast, former UFC champions Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman disagreed on whether this rematch taking place is a possibility.
Henry Cejudo & Kamaru Usman Debate Nate Diaz Walking Straight Into A UFC Title Shot
Cejudo believes that given the name value and attention that Diaz brings to the table, he could potentially step back into a title shot. He said on the Pound 4 Pound podcast that a rematch with Edwards could potentially happen if both sides wanted it.
“He called out Leon Edwards for the strap at 170-pounds, you don’t think Dana would give it to him? You don’t think Dana would give him that fight? Remember dude, the UFC is an entertainment company and if he’s able to bring those pay-per-view numbers and especially if a guy like Leon Edwards calls for the fight, he could potentially get it.”
Usman, interrupted his podcast co-host, passionately disagreeing with Cejudo on the options that are currently available to Diaz.
He used Cejudo’s own career as an example of why the Stockton fighter wouldn’t be able to jump right back in at the top in the UFC, despite his profile.
“Let’s get serious here Henry, what?! You think, ‘Oh yes I want to fight Leon Edwards’ and he just jumps in and he gets a title shot? Are you serious? Come on Henry. Henry you were two-division champion and you came back and you fought Merab so basically, you had to earn the shot at Sean O’Malley. So you’re saying that he should just definitely come in and get it just because he has numbers?”
Usman also countered the point made by Cejudo regarding the narrative of the fight between Edwards and Diaz that went down in 2021.
Despite dominating the fight, the Brit had to face some adversity in the final moments of the contest after being caught clean by his opponent.
Usman does not believe that this one aspect is enough for a rematch to make sense between them at this stage in both men’s careers.
“He landed it, it was an incredible punch but that does not warrant him all because of that. He had one moment in the fight, we’re going to give him a title shot just because… get serious bro!”
This past weekend was a big one for former UFC stars making their way into the boxing world as Saturday night’s major contest saw Nate Diaz take on Jorge Masvidal inside the ring.
Whilst he took this fight just to try and stay active after his bout on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fell off, Till hopes to mix it up with the big names in this scene in the near future.
With both Masvidal and Diaz being potential opponents for him inside the ring, he was sure to have a keen eye on their rematch that went down in California…
Darren Till Not Impressed By What He Saw From Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal
The general consensus seemed to be that the boxing clash between Masvidal and Diaz ended up being a better watch that some may have expected.
Till didn’t see the fight that way, however, as he outlined during his appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
“The Gorilla” wasn’t particularly impressed by what he saw from either man but didn’t want to discredit them too much due to the respect he has for them both.
“I wasn’t impressed mate. Just like, fluffy hands, just not a lot of power, both looked like they wasn’t in no fit physical shape. But as I say, Masvidal, I fought and he beat me fair and square. Diaz, I don’t ever like to diss Diaz too much, I’ve always been a fan since a kid. I think he’s a f****** G of the sport, he’s one of your real ones. Whether you want it in the ring or outside, he’s that guy and that’s what I respect.”
Till, meanwhile, emerged victorious in bizarre fashion after his opponent claimed to be unable to continue following a shot to the back of the head.
After a brawl between the pair was split up, the Liverpool native was awarded the victory by way of TKO, marking his first combat sports win since 2019.
