MMA News

Tag: Nate Diaz

  • MMA News Today: Fight Night Weights Show 14-Pound Difference Between Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal, Johnny Walker Told He Has ‘BJ Penn Levels Of CTE’ After Sharing Dinosaur Theory, & More

    MMA News Today: Fight Night Weights Show 14-Pound Difference Between Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal, Johnny Walker Told He Has ‘BJ Penn Levels Of CTE’ After Sharing Dinosaur Theory, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 9, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Masvidal put on twice as many pounds as Diaz after making weight
    • Fans aren’t buying Walker’s dinosaur theory
    • Vakhitov says Pereira is defensively vulnerable

    Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal Fight Day Weigh-Ins Show Drastic Difference

    With the California State Athletic Commission looking to cut down on excessive weight cutting in combat sports, the fight nights weights for the recent Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal boxing match were released.

    The most noteworthy result shows that Jorge Masvidal made a staggering near 30-pound gain between weighing in and showing up on fight night.

    After hitting 175.2 pounds on Friday, he then weighed in at 204.1 pounds, which is a 16 percent increase in body weight.

    Diaz, who won the fight via majority decision, gained 14.6 pounds after coming in on Saturday at 190.2, meaning that he put on half as much weight as his opponent.

    Masvidal competed at both 155 and 170 pounds during his tenure in the UFC. By the time he stepped inside the ring this past weekend, he was closer to the light heavyweight mark.

    Johnny Walker Receives Pushback After Posting Dinosaur Extinction Theory

    It’s an understatement to call Brazil’s Johnny Walker one of the most unpredictable characters in MMA today.

    He recently gathered some attention on social media after he responded to an Instagram post from MMA great Georges St-Pierre.

    “GSP” shared a video about the dinosaurs and how they were made extinct and largely wiped off the face of the earth by an asteroid.

    Walker, in the replies to the post, provided his own theory about how it wasn’t an asteroid that killed them off, but perhaps humans did it instead…

    “Sorry champ but i am not sure about it anymore! I don’t believe that a asteroid ☄️ extinguished the dinosaurs 🦖 , it may be the men , take a look at some saints around the world like the flat of Russia that have a dragon and a guy that probably kill lots of it , and Brasil also have a saint , and lots of other cultures have history about some hero that killed a dragon = Dino 🦖! I’m just saying, history always change and the winner of some war tells his side of the truth ! We never know the actually real truth”

    It didn’t take too long before fans took notice of his comment and gave their sceptical reactions to his take.

    The Last Man To Defeat Alex Pereira In Kickboxing Breaks Down His Weaknesses As A Striker

    Alex Pereira has been on an incredible upwards trajectory since making the switch to MMA, but what some fight fans might not know is that he suffered a defeat in his final kickboxing fight.

    After losing a split decision the first time around, Artem Vakhitov got the better of “Poatan” in the rematch before Pereira made the decision to leave Glory behind to really pursue MMA.

    Vakhitov, who has also been trying his hand at MMA as of late, spoke in a recent interview with MMA Fighting about where he believes Pereira is vulnerable, having been one of the few to outstrike him.

    He said that the UFC light heavyweight champion’s greatest strength is also his greatest weakness,but the issue many of his MMA opponents have is that they’re not confident enough to try and exploit it.

    “His biggest weakness is that he is all attack, he has no defense,” Vakhitov said. “Because of his lack of defense, he is open to taking a lot of punches to the head if he’s facing a skilled striker. You saw that in his second fight with Adesanya. He got caught because he leaves a lot of openings for people who know what they are doing.

    “These other guys haven’t done well against Alex because their striking isn’t at a high enough level. They aren’t confident against him and they think he’s unbeatable, so in their heart they are already defeated before the fight starts,” Vakhitov continued. “But I have beaten him before in pure striking competition, and I am sure I’ll do it again if we can get our trilogy match in the UFC.”

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Jon Anik Names First-Time Opponent That ‘Makes Sense’ For Nate Diaz’s Planned UFC Return

    Should Nate Diaz follow through on his publicly expressed desire to make a UFC return, Jon Anik has the ideal opponent in mind for him.

    Diaz was back in combat sports action this past weekend for the first time in 11 months. Having fallen short in his professional boxing debut against Jake Paul last August, the Stockton star ran it back in the ring with ex-UFC rival Jorge Masvidal.

    In addition to his first triumph in the ring, Diaz was looking to avenge the setback he was given at the hands of “Gamebred” back in 2019 when Madison Square Garden hosted the inaugural BMF title fight.

    On that occasion, Masvidal was rewarded for his dominance on the feet with a TKO by way of doctor’s stoppage. After Saturday’s match at Anaheim’s Honda Center, that result remains the Miami native’s most recent win.

    After a competitive 10 rounds on July 6, Diaz was awarded the victory via majority decision. Masvidal was quick to call for a trilogy to take place in a neutral location, but it would appear that the Stockton native has other plans.

    And in addition to a second dance with Paul, that seemingly includes unfinished business on MMA’s biggest stage…

    Anik Says Diaz Has ‘A Lot Of Fight’ Left, Pitches UFC Return Opponent

    During the latest episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast, the UFC’s lead play-by-play commentator reacted to Diaz’s first victory inside the boxing ring this past weekend.

    Anik noted that Diaz once again highlighted a UFC return as part of his plans down the line, and he insisted that in spite of the veteran fighter’s age and stint away from MMA competition, he can never be counted out against elite opposition.

    “Nate Diaz back in the UFC. I don’t know to what extent that is possible in short order, but it’s very encouraging that that is one of the first things sort of on the tip of his tongue,” Anik said. “And far be it for anyone to bet against this guy in a high-profile setting against an elite fighter. Yeah, there’s certain matchups, right? Maybe you don’t like him against Sean Brady, but there are plenty of matchups that are good for Nate Diaz. … I think he’s got a lot of fight left.”

    The Boston native went on to point out one specific matchup that would make sense for Diaz’s potential Octagon comeback: a rearranged showdown with Dustin Poirier.

    “Dustin Poirier and I were talking at UFC 303 as he was there doing the television work. There just aren’t that many fights right now for Dustin. It seems like he has the appetite to go out on a win,” Anik continued. “Dustin has intimated that he wants to fight one more time, and on the very short list of opponents that actually makes some fiscal and competitive sense is Nate Diaz. We’ll see if that’s something that actually materializes.”

    Poirier and Diaz were set to share the cage back at UFC 230 in 2018, but “The Diamond” was forced out after sustaining a hip injury.

    Interestingly, rumors of the pair giving the matchup a second attempt emerged the last time Poirier’s future appeared uncertain. In the aftermath of his title loss against Charles Oliveira in December 2021, the Louisianan pointed to Diaz as the only opponent that appealed to him at the time.

    The former interim champion instead defeated Michael Chandler in his return, and after bouncing back from a defeat to Justin Gaethje last July by knocking out Benoît Saint Denis, he received his third shot at the undisputed belt.

    When Islam Makhachev got the better of him at UFC 302 last month, it seemed that retirement was a real possibility. But a number of weeks on from his latest failed attempt at ticking off the final box in his career, “The Diamond” has picked up hints of another go at the kind of farewell he is after.

  • Jorge Masvidal Calls For Nate Diaz Trilogy In ‘Neutral’ Location After Claiming Crowd Influenced Judging In Boxing Defeat

    Jorge Masvidal Calls For Nate Diaz Trilogy In ‘Neutral’ Location After Claiming Crowd Influenced Judging In Boxing Defeat

    Jorge Masvidal appeared to out-land Nate Diaz in the statistics at the conclusion of their boxing match on July 6, but it was not enough to get the win. And “Gamebred” feels the hometown advantage his opponent had played a role in that.

    Diaz scored the win over Masvidal by majority decision in the main event of a card that took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

    The fight proved to be an exciting one that seemingly could have gone either way. The Stockton native had a notable volume-based attack and took over the fight as the former UFC BMF champion’s energy decreased during the middle portion of the fight. In the eyes of many, Masvidal landed the cleaner, more effective, and damaging strikes.

    But one judge scored the bout an even 95-95, while the other two scored the fight 97-93 and 98-92 in favor of Diaz.

    “I definitely know the judges were influenced by the crowd because a lot of those shots were landing in the corner,” Masvidal said at the post-fight press conference. “I was just getting my timing. He’d throw three or four shots that wouldn’t land, and then I’d throw a good power shot. I’d see that I’d hurt him and I’d back him up or he would start goofing around. (I) hurt him to the body numerous times.”

    Jorge Masvidal Feels Nate Diaz’s Hometown Advantage Led To Lopsided Scorecards Against Him

    Masvidal felt he landed the better strikes in the fight, noting the number of times that he seemed to hurt Diaz. However, “Gamebred” claimed the roars of the crowd whenever his rival landed a shot proved to be his downfall and led to two judges scoring the contest in lopsided fashion for Diaz.

    Masvidal feels that if a potential trilogy bout is to go down, then that fight needs to take place in a location where neither man will be a hometown hero.

    “I think one or two of the judges only gave me two rounds. There’s just no way,” Masvidal insisted. “We were looking at the fight right now in the locker room, the meaningful shots, and a lot more of the meaningful shots were landed by me. I just feel that it didn’t go my way, but whatever. We’re 1-1, we can run it back some place like Vegas. Make it a neutral place and let’s f*cking throw down.

    “From what I saw, I definitely hurt him more than he ever hurt me. I got way cleaner shots, especially to the body. He never even did anything to my body. I definitely hurt his body, and a couple times that I hurt him, he backed up,” Masvidal continued. “He put a lot of pressure and he was coming forward but he never hurt me. I don’t think he landed any meaningful punches. Eight rounds to two is f*cking nuts. Whatever, it’s California. I knew I had to get a knockout or some sh*t like this (would happen).”

    Masvidal expressed a desire for a third fight in the ring, too, prior to the press conference. The pair exchanged heated words during that time, needing to be separated.

    “Gamebred” previously scored the win in their first outing in the UFC five years ago, defeating Diaz via third-round doctor’s stoppage in the main event of UFC 244 to win the inaugural BMF championship.

  • Nate Diaz Targets Two Other Rematches After Boxing Win Over Jorge Masvidal

    Nate Diaz Targets Two Other Rematches After Boxing Win Over Jorge Masvidal

    Now that Nate Diaz has avenged his previous loss to Jorge Masvidal, he has other names in mind that he’d like to get wins back on.

    Diaz scored a majority decision win over Masvidal in the main event of a boxing card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, on July 6. This served as a rematch — albeit in another sport — five years from their first encounter at UFC 244. Masvidal won the initial fight by doctor’s stoppage, making him the first-ever BMF champion of the UFC.

    Diaz scored the win in the closely contested boxing match with a volume-based attack, despite Masvidal landing the harder and arguably cleaner strikes.

    Following the fight, despite Masvidal’s wishes for a trilogy bout and an exchanging of words, Diaz expressed a desire to get back in the ring with Jake Paul and to return to the UFC to face current welterweight champion Leon Edwards.

    Nate Diaz Calls Out Jake Paul & Leon Edwards After Avenging Jorge Masvidal Defeat

    Diaz doubled down on these thoughts at the post-fight press conference.

    “Just off the top of my head, I would like to whip (Paul’s) ass,” Diaz said. “I would like to get a win against Leon Edwards, who’s the best fighter in the world right now at 170 (pounds). I think that’s something major who actually brings something that I can take and put in a credential box. That’s what I’m going for. I’m not playing for no f*cking fun fights, because that sh*t ain’t fun.”

    Diaz made his professional boxing debut against Paul last year. “The Problem Child” dealt some big damage to Diaz in the opening rounds before going on to win a decision.

    Paul called Diaz out on social media after the fight, claiming that the Stockton native has been ducking him despite the callout. As he noted on X/Twitter this weekend, Paul has previously offered Diaz upwards of $15 million for a rematch in the PFL MMA cage, not in the boxing ring.

    In his second-to-last UFC fight, Diaz dropped a decision to Edwards at UFC 263.

  • ‘Not Opposed To Seeing A Third Fight’ – Fight Fans Left Mixed After Nate Diaz Scores Decision Win Over Jorge Masvidal

    ‘Not Opposed To Seeing A Third Fight’ – Fight Fans Left Mixed After Nate Diaz Scores Decision Win Over Jorge Masvidal

    After losing to him in the UFC in 2019, Nate Diaz has scored revenge in the boxing ring, defeating Jorge Masvidal via majority decision in the main event of a card on July 6 in Anaheim, California.

    Diaz and Masvidal both brought it from the opening bell. Diaz set the pace early, but Masvidal fired off solid shots of his own. Masvidal seemingly took control then, continuing to land the more effective and powerful blows. Masvidal continued this into the fourth round, but Diaz started to bring out the volume.

    Masvidal worked the body, but Diaz seemed to have more energy as the fight got to the halfway mark. That volume helped him bring forward pressure to Masvidal in the sixth round.

    The themes continued into the final few rounds, with Diaz landing noteworthy shots, but Masvidal landing the cleaner and more powerful punches, proving it to be anyone’s battle.

    Ultimately, it was Diaz who came out on top, winning on 97-93 and a 98-92 scorecards. The third scorecard was a 95-95 draw.

    Fight Fans React To Close, Controversial Decision Win For Nate Diaz Over Jorge Masvidal In Boxing Ring

    https://twitter.com/GoatBranding/status/1809833661904117931

    Diaz went on to call out Jake Paul and Leon Edwards after the fight, looking for revenge against Paul in his next outing before intending to return to the UFC and challenge the welterweight champion.

    Masvidal, meanwhile, will look for a trilogy bout with Diaz. His post-fight comments saw some tense words exchanged between the pair.

    Diaz and Masvidal first met five years ago in the UFC at UFC 244. At New York’s Madison Square Garden, Masvidal scored a controversial third-round doctor’s stoppage win over Diaz to become the first ‘BMF’ champion. Masvidal then lost his next four fights, retiring in 2023 following a loss to Gilbert Burns.

    Masvidal’s sole professional boxing match prior to tonight came in 2005, defeating Joseph Benjamin via majority decision.

    Diaz fought twice more in UFC after the loss, dropping a decision to Leon Edwards and scoring a submission of Tony Ferguson. Diaz made his professional boxing debut last year, losing to Paul.

    Read Also: ‘This Is Actually Insane’ – Fans Left Fuming As Fanmio Stream Goes Down At Start Of Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal

  • ‘This Is Actually Insane’ – Fans Left Fuming As Fanmio Stream Goes Down At Start Of Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal

    ‘This Is Actually Insane’ – Fans Left Fuming As Fanmio Stream Goes Down At Start Of Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal

    Professional wrestling fans know the story of the infamous WCW Halloween Havoc pay-per-view in 1998. After a disasterous Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior match, the WCW world title battle between Goldberg and Diamond Dallas Page proved to be a classic — but people didn’t get to see it because the pay-per-view broadcast ran overtime.

    You would think in a world where we have streaming platforms aplenty and are used to the nature (for better or for worse) of combat sports pay-per-view pacing, we wouldn’t have such a mistake again. Unfortunately, we somehow did with Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal.

    After a grueling co-main event battle between Shane Mosley Jr. and Daniel Jacobs, and an undercard criticized for its pacing, the main event battle between Diaz and Masvidal kicked off at 1:18 am ET. But just as the fireworks in the ring were ready to start, those who were watching on the Fanmio pay-per-view service saw their feeds shockingly crash.

    Ultimately, the Fanmio broadcast never went back up. And from the moment the broadcast went down, the combat community on social media went full scorched earth on the service.

    Fight Fans Demand Refunds After Fanmio Broadcast Goes Down At Start Of Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal

    https://twitter.com/annellawafer_/status/1809824226913972324

    As of publication time, Fanmio has yet to release a statement in response to the issues and fan outrage. It is unknown if refunds will be issued.

    Diaz scored a majority decision win over Masvidal, edging Masvidal out in a battle of volume from Diaz vs. power from Masvidal.

    Following the fight, Diaz announced intentions to get revenge on Jake Paul before returning to the UFC. Masvidal, meanwhile, hopes to have another battle in boxing, with the two trading words and needing to be separated.

    Read Also: Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal Results & Highlights: Diaz Wins Slugfest

  • Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal Results & Highlights: Diaz Wins Slugfest

    Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal Results & Highlights: Diaz Wins Slugfest

    Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal finally settled their differences in the boxing ring on July 6. MMA News has the results and highlights here!

    The long-awaited rematch between Diaz and Masvidal occurred on July 6 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Both fighters have waited nearly five years to fight each other again after their first encounter at UFC 244 in 2019. However, instead of competing in MMA, they ran it back in the boxing ring.

    In the fight, Diaz overwhelmed Masvidal with punches for ten rounds. The former BMF Champion did his best to keep his opponent off him with power punches but couldn’t stop the pressure from the California native. Ultimately, the fight went the distance, with Diaz winning by majority decision.  

    Elsewhere on the card, Anthony Pettis faced Chris Avila in a light heavyweight contest. Pettis was coming off a debut win over boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. by a majority decision last year. However, the former UFC champion couldn’t replicate his success, as Avila controlled the fight to earn a comfortable unanimous decision win.

    Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal Fight Card Results

    Main Card:

    • Light Heavyweight: Nate Diaz def. Jorge Masvidal via Majority Decision (95-95, 97-93, 98-92)
    • Super Middleweight: Shane Mosley Jr. def. Daniel Jacobs via Unanimous Decision (99-91×2, 100-90)
    • Light Heavyweight: Chris Avila def. Anthony Pettis via Unanimous Decision (58-56, 59-55×2)
    • Lightweight: Curmel Moton def. Nikolai Buzolin via TKO R2, 1:39
    • Lightweight: Amado Vargas def. Sean Garcia via TKO: R6, 0:46
    • Lightweight: Devin Cushing def. Manuel Correa via Unanimous Decision (77-75, 78-74, 80-72)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Welterweight: Luis Lopez def. Alan Sanchez via Unanimous Decision (77-75×3)
    • Heavyweight: Gabriel Aguilar Costa def. Steve Dunn via KO: R2, 2:50

    Main Card Highlights

    Nate Diaz def. Jorge Masvidal

    Curmel Moton def. Nikolai Buzolin

    Amado Vargas def. Sean Garcia

    Preliminary Highlights

    Gabriel Aguilar Costa def. Steve Dunn

  • Conor McGregor Makes Prediction For Boxing Match Between ‘Little Play Around Dipsh*ts’ Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal

    Conor McGregor Makes Prediction For Boxing Match Between ‘Little Play Around Dipsh*ts’ Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal

    Conor McGregor has made his opinion known on tonight’s boxing battle between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal.

    As McGregor recovers from his toe injury that led to the postponement of his long-planned MMA return with Michael Chandler — and as we wait for a new date to be announced for such a fight — he has eyes turned toward a main event boxing showdown between two other names that have been UFC stars.

    McGregor is very familiar with Diaz as a fighter, and it’s that experience that partly makes him predict that the Stockton native will come out on top in this fight at Anaheim’s Honda Center on Saturday.

    In fact, McGregor took to social media to state that he has placed a major, $500,000 bet down on Diaz tonight.

    Conor McGregor Places $500K Bet That Nate Diaz Defeats Jorge Masvidal In Boxing

    “Range, form, experience, solely hands being used, I can’t see Masvidal causing any problems to Nate in a boxing ring whatsoever,” McGregor posted. They are both little play around dips**** in a fight, play around bollox, but I feel Nate does him in easy here for real.”

    McGregor and Diaz fought in two legendary battles at UFC 196 and UFC 202. Fighting on just over a week’s notice, the American fan favorite submitted his Irish counterpart in upset fashion at UFC 196.

    McGregor got his revenge in a closely contested encounter by a majority decision win at UFC 202, which at one point was the most bought pay-per-view in UFC history.

    Meanwhile, Masvidal and the former two-division champion never fought in the Octagon, with UFC CEO Dana White at one point noting that McGregor would look small fighting “Gamebred” at 170 pounds.

    Diaz and Masvidal faced off at UFC 244 in November 2019, with the Miami native winning via third-round doctor’s stoppage TKO to become the inaugural BMF champion.

  • Nate Diaz’s Disclosed Pay Nearly Doubles That Of Jorge Masvidal For Upcoming Boxing Match

    Nate Diaz’s Disclosed Pay Nearly Doubles That Of Jorge Masvidal For Upcoming Boxing Match

    Despite coming out on top in their UFC encounter five years ago, Jorge Masvidal is not one of the top-two earners of the boxing card that he and Nate Diaz will be headlining on July 6.

    The California State Athletic Commission revealed the purse salaries on fight day, with MMA Fighting being the first to report them.

    Diaz will have the most guaranteed money out of all participants on the night, walking away with a minimum of $500,000. Masvidal, meanwhile, will only make $300,000 guaranteed.

    Masvidal actually has just the third-most guaranteed money out of everyone on the card. Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, who competes on the Diaz vs. Masvidal undercard, will earn $350,000 in guaranteed money.

    Other notable figures from the card include Chris Avila making $210,000, Shane Mosley Jr. making $160,000, and Daniel Jacobs making $100,000. Jacobs, however, missed weight for his fight, so half of his purse will go to Mosley Jr., his opponent.

    The full listed of guaranteed salaries is listed below.

    • Nate Diaz $500,000
    • Jorge Masvidal $300,000
    • Daniel Jacobs $100,000* (fined 20 percent of his purse)
    • Shane Mosley Jr. $160,000
    • Anthony Pettis $350,000
    • Chris Avila $210,000
    • Curmel Moton $40,000
    • Nikolai Buzolin $8,000* (fined 20 percent of his purse)
    • Amado Vargas $100,000
    • Sean Garcia $50,000* (fined 20 percent of his purse)
    • Devin Cushing $60,000
    • Manuel Correa $15,000
    • Luciano Ramos $5,000
    • Dan Hernandez $3,500
    • Alan Sanchez $55,000
    • Luis Lopes $22,500
    • Steve Dunn $500
    • Gabriel Costa $2,500
    • Jose Aguayo $40,000
    • Bryce Logan $6,000
    • Ken Lopez $18,000
    • Andres Martinez $600

    As previously mentioned, these salaries are just guaranteed money and do not include earnings of pay-per-view sales that certain fighters may receive. They also do not include locker room bonuses, sponsorship earnings, and other means of revenue.

    Diaz and Masvidal will meet in a 10-round light heavyweight bout in Saturday’s main event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

    The two first met at UFC 244 in November 2019, with Masvidal winning via third-round doctor’s stoppage TKO to become the inaugural BMF champion.

  • Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal Weigh-In Results: Three Fighters Miss Weight

    Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal Weigh-In Results: Three Fighters Miss Weight

    Former UFC stars Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal weighed in today ahead of their rematch in the boxing ring this Saturday. MMA News has the results here!

    The rivalry between Diaz and Masvidal has returned to the surface this year. In 2019, they faced each other in the main event of UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. UFC fans expected the matchup to be an action-packed fight, as both had an impressive win before the event. Unfortunately, it ended in anticlimactic fashion, with Masvidal winning by doctor’s stoppage.

    Both fighters will seek a more decisive victory in the boxing ring tomorrow. Ahead of the event, all fighters weighed in today to make it official.

    All fighters weighed in at the proper weight limit except for Daniel Jacobs, Nikolai Buzolin, and Sean Garcia. Their fights are expected to go on as planned.

    Fans of Diaz are hoping he is coming into his rematch against “Gamebred” more motivated than he has in past fights. In his most recent outing last August, he made his professional boxing debut against Jake Paul. Diaz showed spurts of competitiveness but was outmatched and knocked down in the contest, which Paul won by unanimous decision.

    This Saturday marks a big night for the California native as he tries to prove that he still has more left in his combat sports career.

    For Masvidal, he is no stranger to competing in a boxing ring. He has one win on his pro boxing record after defeating Joseph Benjamin by majority decision in 2005. Although he has fared better in the sport than Diaz, the former BMF champion’s win from 19 years ago was a four-round fight. Saturday’s matchup will be a 10-round affair, which some fans believe could benefit Diaz more than the Miami native.

    That said, Masvidal has shared in the lead-up to his showdown with his rival that he plans to get a knockout to settle their issues for good.

    Masvidal vs. Diaz will occur at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The main card will start at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT on Fanmio for $49.99. Fans looking to watch the card on DAZN must be subscribed and buy the pay-per-view.

    Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal Weigh-In Results

    Main Card:

    • Light Heavyweight: Nate Diaz (175.6lbs) vs. Jorge Masvidal (175.2lbs)
    • Super Middleweight: Daniel Jacobs (169.2lbs)* vs. Shane Mosley Jr. (167.6lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Anthony Pettis (175.3lbs) vs. Chris Avila (175.6lbs)
    • Lightweight: Curmel Moton (133.5lbs) vs. Nikolai Buzolin (137.7lbs)*
    • Lightweight: Amado Vargas (134.1lbs) vs. Sean Garcia (138.1lbs)*
    • Lightweight: Devin Cushing (131.9lbs) vs. Manuel Correa (131.2lbs)

    * Sean Garcia missed the lightweight limit by 3.1 pounds.

    * Nikolai Buzolin missed the lightweight limit by 2.7 pounds

    * Daniel Jacobs missed the super middleweight limit by 1.2 pounds.

  • ‘Big’ John McCarthy Slams Influencer Who Disrespected Nate Diaz At Press Conference: ‘Homeboy, You’re Lucky He Doesn’t Jump Over The Table…’

    ‘Big’ John McCarthy Slams Influencer Who Disrespected Nate Diaz At Press Conference: ‘Homeboy, You’re Lucky He Doesn’t Jump Over The Table…’

    A recent trend in combat sports sees influencers asking intentionally provoking questions to professional fighters in order to stir up social media.

    The latest example came during the press conference for Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal’s boxing match this Saturday where a streamer named “N3on” got hold of the mic.

    He proceeded to ask Diaz whether he was going to retire when he gets knocked out on Saturday night, which obviously did not go down well with the Stockton fighter.

    The streamer’s name may ring a bell for fight fans after he was prevented from attending UFC 296 in December last year following comments online about how he would confront Donald Trump at the event.

    ‘Big’ John McCarthy Says N3on Is Lucky Nate Diaz Didn’t Go Right At Him After Insulting Question

    On a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast, “Big” John McCarthy gave his reaction to the clip of N3on attempting to antagonise Diaz at the press conference.

    Diaz did hold his own and repeatedly responded with expletives before his team appeared to pursue the streamer once the press conference had finished, as shown in the video below.

    McCarthy expressed his dislike of this trend that keeps coming back around, expressing that N3on should be lucky that Diaz didn’t just decide to jump off the stage and handle it right then and there.

    “Where is it that a guy that has never been in a fight in his life wants to be a smarta** with a guy who is a real fighter, he has to sit up there, he has to listen to your b******* and you want to sit there and say, ‘Are you gonna retire when you get knocked out this Saturday night?’

    “It’s like, do you think maybe, do you think just maybe that’s a f****** douchebag thing to say to a guy that’s been through wars throughout his career and you’ve never done a f****** thing?”

    McCarthy then continued, warning streamers like N3on who push their luck against real fighters that they may end up biting off more trouble than they can chew.

    “It’s always these guys that they’ll never f****** do anything and they’ll sit there and say something like, ‘You’re gonna get knocked out, you gonna retire when you do’. It’s like, homebody, you’re lucky he doesn’t jump over that table and just drop kick you into the f****** third row and let your teeth become f****** chicklets.”

  • Nate Diaz’s Boxing ‘Back To Where It Was’ Ahead Of Jorge Masvidal Fight: ‘I’ve Heard That Nate’s Been Actually Looking Good…’

    Nate Diaz’s Boxing ‘Back To Where It Was’ Ahead Of Jorge Masvidal Fight: ‘I’ve Heard That Nate’s Been Actually Looking Good…’

    Josh Thomson and “Big” John McCarthy believe that Nate Diaz could have the advantage over Jorge Masvidal in their upcoming boxing match, provided he maintains his aggressive pressure-fighting style.

    Diaz is set to square off against Masvidal this Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The highly anticipated rematch between the former UFC stars is scheduled for 10 rounds in the light heavyweight division.

    The pair first clashed in the Octagon at UFC 244 in November 2019, where ‘Gamebred’ emerged victorious over Diaz with a TKO in the fourth round, securing the inaugural BMF title. Masvidal dominated the initial three rounds with relentless strikes, causing a deep gash above Diaz’s eyes and leaving his face bloodied.

    Although both fighters were eager to continue, the Octagon-side doctor stopped the fight just after the third round due to the severity of Diaz’s injuries.

    While Masvidal is gearing up to make his professional debut in the squared circle, the upcoming match will be the Stockton native’s sophomore boxing fight. Last August, Diaz faced Jake Paul but lost by unanimous decision in a fairly one-sided bout.

    Diaz recently admitted to having minimal preparation before his fight with “The Problem Child.” However, according to Thomson and McCarthy, the former UFC lightweight title challenger has shown unwavering dedication this time around in preparation for his bout against Masvidal…

    Thomson & McCarthy Believe Diaz’s Aggressive Approach Key to Beating Masvidal

    During a recent episode of their WEIGHING IN podcast, Thomson and McCarthy analyzed the boxing rematch between Diaz and Masvidal. “The Punk,” who previously secured a TKO victory over Diaz in the Octagon, emphasized that the Californian must deliver early damage to Masvidal with his trademark forward pressure, which could prove decisive in the fight.

    “Nate Diaz is just being someone if once he gets the pressure going as he used to when he was younger,” Thomson said. “I think the reach is going to be a factor if he can like I said, get this thing going early… He’s gotta get started early if he wants to have a chance to win this fight.”

    The veteran MMA referee concurred with Thomson’s analysis and shared an insider scoop about Diaz’s training camp. He revealed that he heard Diaz is in excellent shape and has performed well in sparring sessions. In contrast, “Gamebred” has had limited training sessions due to the demands of promoting the bout, which might affect his performance.

    “I know Nate’s been training,” McCarthy said. “I’ve heard that Nate’s been actually looking good; his boxing is back to where it was at a certain point. I think it’s a pick’em fight.”

  • Nate Diaz Doubles Down On Support For Conor McGregor Following UFC 303 Pullout: ‘Lost His Last Fight Because He Went In There Like A G & Was Hurt…’

    When Conor McGregor announced the reason for his long awaited return at UFC 303 being pushed back, he received a lot of negativity.

    “The Notorious” made the call to delay his comeback fight after breaking his toe in training because after being out for so long, he wanted to step back inside the Octagon at 100%.

    A new date has not been provided yet for when he hopes to fight again and whether or not it will still be against Michael Chandler.

    Despite their long-running rivalry with each other that produced two of the most iconic fights in the history of the sport, Nate Diaz has McGregor’s back on this one.

    Nate Diaz Commends Conor McGregor For Making The Decision To Postpone His Comeback

    During an interview with MMA legend Demetrious Johnson on The MightyCast, Diaz said that he actually supports McGregor’s decision to postpone the fight.

    The Stockton fighter believes that this shows the Irishman’s experience and learning over the years – which is something Diaz has also noticed in his own career regarding fighting injured.

    “That’s experience, you know, he was f***** up when he fought his last fight and I’ve been f***** up in hella fights and I don’t want to like to cry about it afterwards ‘cuz your a** shouldn’t have came to fight if you was f***** up, that’s how I think about it.”

    Diaz made a clear distinction between the fact that McGregor didn’t cancel the fight but called for it to be pushed back, and commended him for making that call.

    He reflected on how he found himself in a similar position ahead of his fight with Leon Edwards which was moved to the following month’s event at UFC 263, after he suffered a cut in training that he nearly decided to fight through.

    Diaz also referenced how McGregor’s injury, which was a big reason why he was inactive for so long, came at UFC 264 because he went into the fight already compromised which further supports his decision to delay the return.

    “So now, before you just jump to conclusions and start being like, ‘He’s hurt, f****** p****’ it’s like bro, he lost his last fight because he went in there like a G and he was hurt and he f***** himself up, you know what I’m saying. That being a part of it, he shouldn’t have showed up though but now he knows. So it’s like when people are like, ‘wah’, I’m like why don’t you just shut up and sit down?”

  • MMA News Today: Dricus Du Plessis Lands Verbal TKO To Israel Adesanya During Heated Staredown At UFC 305 Press Conference, Jon Jones Responds To Rumors Of ‘Spirit Channeling & Magic’ In MMA Following Alex Pereira Fight, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 3, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Du Plessis has the best reply to Adesanya jab
    • Jones gives his side of the story on the use of magic and spirits
    • Diaz knew his own value before taking McGregor opportunity

    Dricus Du Plessis Makes Joking Remark To Israel Adesanya During Heated Faceoff

    Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya came face to face once again during the press conference that went down yesterday, for their upcoming middleweight title fight.

    Before the two rivals meet at UFC 305 on August 17 in Perth, they shared an incredibly tense staredown that is sure to build excitement for their eventual meeting.

    Adesanya appeared to be the one to say something to Du Plessis first during the staredown which the middleweight champion was asked about after the press conference.

    He jokingly made remarks about something that Adesanya’s last opponent, Sean Strickland, also chose to make fun of throughout the build-up to their fight.

    Du Plessis referenced a video of Adesanya and his dog which appears to be a bit of a sore subject for “The Last Stylebender”, as was proven after the Strickland fight.

    “I think he said, ‘Don’t kiss me’, as far as I know. I said I’m no dog so I won’t and you know, I don’t really know what he was saying. I wasn’t really focused on what he was saying.”

    Jon Jones Says He Has Experienced ‘Spirit Channelling’ & Magic’ For Himself Following UFC 303 Controversy

    Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka are two of the most intense individuals in the sport when it comes to fight night.

    Before UFC 303 got underway, Procházka spoke about how he believed “Poatan” was using the help of magic and spirits in his fight, asking him to abstain in their rematch.

    Whilst Pereira offered a classy response to this in his post-fight interview after beating the former champion, UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones is the latest to weigh in on this.

    He posted on social media about how there is some truth to this based on his experiences of stepping into certain arenas and coming up against specific opponents.

    “There has been a lot of talk about spirit channeling and magic in MMA lately. This stuff is all very real. I felt all types of weird energies walking into those arenas. Looking certain opponents in the eyes. I want to let you all know that Jesus Christ is king, he is and always will be undefeated. Every knee shall bow.”

    Nate Diaz Reveals How He Negotiated A Much Higher Purse For His First Fight With Conor McGregor

    Nate Diaz has always been a cult icon in combat sports but UFC 196 was a moment that changed his life forever.

    The Stockton fighter became a huge name overnight when he stepped into the main event on late notice to fight Conor McGregor in one of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport.

    Diaz was well compensated for stepping up to save the day in place of Rafael Dos Anjos but he did have to put his foot down in order to get a much higher purse than was initially offered.

    He told MMA great Demetrious Johnson during an interview on The MightyCast how he knew what his own value was at the time and made sure he was suitably compensated.

    “At the time, it was (the biggest pay check I’d received). But they were trying to give me pennies for that too,” Diaz said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, right. I know what I’m doing here. I’ve been through it.’ I’d already been into it with the organization about that. So they called me and they were like, ‘Hey, while you’re going to do this, we’re going to give you a million dollars.’ I was like, ‘Hey, you’re gonna give me more than that.’

    “So I got like five times more than that because of that. I knew the game by then and I was like, ‘F*ck that,’” Diaz continued. “Remember when I was telling you about how if I fight every two months, I could be rich. That basic math attitude kind of f*cking times 10, times 100, over and over again. So I knew what it was with the whole money in the business and sh*t. I might not be educated but I’m not stupid.”

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Nate Diaz Recalls Negotiations With UFC For First Conor McGregor Fight: ‘I Might Not Be Educated, But I’m Not Stupid…’

    Nate Diaz Recalls Negotiations With UFC For First Conor McGregor Fight: ‘I Might Not Be Educated, But I’m Not Stupid…’

    Nate Diaz recently looked back on how his first fight with Conor McGregor came together, and the discussions he had to ensure he was adequately compensated for the short-notice assignment.

    Diaz has long been a fan favorite in the sport of mixed martial arts, but his star well and truly grew to astronomical levels when he shared the Octagon with McGregor in Las Vegas at UFC 196 eight years ago.

    Diaz answered the call on just 11 days’ notice, replacing the injured Rafael dos Anjos to face the then-featherweight titleholder in a welterweight bout.

    Against the odds, the Stockton native handed McGregor his first professional defeat since 2010 and first setback on MMA’s biggest stage, countering the Dubliner’s tired takedown attempt in round two with some brutal ground-and-pound, which set up the shocking rear-naked choke submission finish.

    As well as the victory, a Fight of the Night bonus, and a Performance of the Night bonus, Diaz exited T-Mobile Arena with his heftiest pay check to date. But the figure on it was apparently a far cry from what the UFC first proposed…

    Diaz Says UFC Tried Offering ‘Pennies’ For McGregor 1

    During a recent interview with UFC legend and current ONE Championship titleholder Demetrious Johnson, Diaz looked back on his first showdown with McGregor and discussed the short-notice bout coming together.

    When discussing the financial implications that many expect to come with fighting McGregor, Diaz confirmed that UFC 196 marked his highest pay up to that point in his career.

    But that was seemingly something he had to work for behind closed doors, outlining the offer originally slid across his desk by the UFC compared to what he ultimately managed to secure.

    “At the time, it was (the biggest pay check I’d received). But they were trying to give me pennies for that too,” Diaz said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, right. I know what I’m doing here. I’ve been through it.’ I’d already been into it with the organization about that. So they called me and they were like, ‘Hey, while you’re going to do this, we’re going to give you a million dollars.’ I was like, ‘Hey, you’re gonna give me more than that.’

    “So I got like five times more than that because of that. I knew the game by then and I was like, ‘F*ck that,’” Diaz continued. “Remember when I was telling you about how if I fight every two months, I could be rich. That basic math attitude kind of f*cking times 10, times 100, over and over again. So I knew what it was with the whole money in the business and sh*t. I might not be educated but I’m not stupid.”

    Both men have had some major paydays since. For Diaz, that’s currently in the realm of boxing.

    After fighting out his contract with the UFC in a submission win over Tony Ferguson, the Stockton star went on to share the ring with YouTuber-turned-pugilist Jake Paul last August.

    Having kept his stock high in defeat against “The Problem Child,” Diaz is next set to revisit his rivalry with Jorge Masvidal, which was forged inside the Octagon at UFC 244 back in 2019.

    Although his current focus is on boxing and his match with “Gamebred” this weekend, Diaz has been firm in insisting that the final chapter in his storied feud with McGregor is not yet written.

    With their series sat level at one win apiece, a trilogy could be in store down the line.

  • Colby Covington Claims Nick Diaz Ducked Him But Will Not ‘Put Down The Diaz Brothers & Talk S**t About Them’

    MMA legend Nick Diaz is set to return to the Octagon on August 3 when he faces Vicente Luque in Abu Dhabi.

    It has been three years since the Stockton original last competed in the UFC and that, in turn, was a comeback from a six-year hiatus.

    Before his fight with Robbie Lawler at UFC 266, Diaz was reportedly offered several opponents before the decision was made to run back his first clash with Lawler.

    Colby Covington revealed in a recent interview with Submission Radio that he was one of the names in contention for a fight with Diaz – which would have surely been chaotic to say the least.

    Colby Covington Says Nick Diaz ‘Ducked’ The Fight But He Has Nothing Bad To Say About Him

    During the interview, Covington spoke about how there were talks of him facing off with Diaz back in 2021, with Madison Square Garden as a potential destination.

    The former three-time UFC welterweight title challenger said that he understands why the UFC hasn’t attempted to revisit this fight after Diaz turned this option down.

    “Unfortunately, he hasn’t been offered to me in about three years. The last time Hunter had called me with Nick Diaz’s name across my desk was when they offered me to him in Madison Square Garden about three years ago so, he turned down the fight, he didn’t want the fight so I think the UFC just knows that they can’t match that up.

    “I mean, that’s the biggest mismatch in UFC history to give me a guy like Nick Diaz so it wouldn’t be doing the company any justice to put some guy that’s over the hill and past his prime versus the guy that’s in his prime and the best welterweight on earth right now, Colby Covington.

    Covington also said that despite this and some comments that the Diaz brothers have made over the years, he has no hard feelings towards them after this fight didn’t come together.

    He said that he even shared a moment with the elder Diaz following one of his fights where the leader of the “Nick Diaz Army” was very complimentary of his skills and career.

    Covington states that despite Diaz being “scared” to fight him, he has nothing negative to say about one of MMA’s most iconic siblings.

    “He knew at that time that I was the best welterweight on earth. He came up to me one time when I fought, after UFC Sacramento, and he’s like, ‘Yeah you’re the future of this division’ and showed me a lot of respect so I’m not going to put down the Diaz brothers and talk s*** about them.

    “They’ve said some things about me but they’ve done great things in this sport and I’m not going to sit down and say anything bad about them but he did dodge the fight. He was scared to fight me and that’s facts, that’s truth.”

    Read also: Colby Covington Reacts To Ian Garry’s Latest Victory At UFC 303: ‘Anybody Could Be 15-0 Fighting 15 Bums’

  • Nate Diaz & Jake Paul Roast Jorge Masvidal For Alleged Covington Attack

    UFC star Nate Diaz and YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul have blasted Jorge Masvidal after his alleged attack on Colby Covington in Miami.

    Masvidal allegedly confronted Covington outside of a restaurant in Miami on Monday night, hitting him with a couple of punches before the two sides were separated. Covington suffered a fractured tooth as a result of the assault and Masvidal could face a felony battery charge.

    Masvidal and Covington fought in the UFC 272 headliner, with Covington earning a unanimous decision victory. Yet, the two former friends and teammates have continued the banter on social media in recent weeks.

    After news broke of the alleged altercation, Diaz and Paul aimed at Masvidal for the alleged assault on Covington. First, Diaz referenced Masvidal’s self-published video apparently gloating about the attack.

    “How u gonna snitch on yourself,” Diaz tweeted.

    Diaz fell to Masvidal for the self-coined BMF title at UFC 244. He most recently fought against Leon Edwards at UFC 263 and is allegedly eying a matchup with Dustin Poirier this year.

    Paul also blasted Masvidal on social media for the alleged attack, just over a year since they worked out together briefly as Paul prepared to face Ben Askren in the boxing ring.

    “2 facts of the day: #1 Masvidal is a bitch for ambushing Colby. Couldn’t hurt him in the cage so try to blindside him?” Paul said.

    “#2 UFC always says it’s increased fighter pay 600% since 2005. Per Huddle Up, UFC revenue is up 1,700% since 05 and PROFITS up by 6,200%. 10x fighter pay!!!”

    Paul called out Masvidal for a boxing match following his most recent win in the ring over Tyron Woodley last December. He’s aiming at a return to boxing later this year.

    Diaz and Paul aren’t the only ones to mock Masvidal after the incident. UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman also took to social media and mocked both Masvidal and Covington for the brawl.

    The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

    What are your thoughts on the alleged Jorge Masvidal/Colby Covington incident?

  • Nate Diaz Contradicts Dana White’s Take On His UFC Future

    UFC President Dana White and welterweight star Nate Diaz have provided conflicting statements regarding the Stockton native’s future in the promotion.

    Diaz hasn’t been in action since his defeat to top-five 170lber Leon Edwards at UFC 263 last June. Despite falling on the wrong side of a lopsided unanimous decision, the veteran maintained his fan-favorite status and maybe even enhanced it, with a late rally.

    Now, with one fight left on his deal, talk has turned to who the 36-year-old might close out his contract against. But despite Diaz suggesting he’ll look to retire after one more Octagon outing, Dana White appears confident that the Stockton star’s next appearance won’t be his last.

    During his appearance at the UFC 272 post-fight press conference this past weekend, White was asked whether a new contract was likely for Diaz. The 52-year-old’s answer was a positive one for fans of The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner.

    “The likelihood that Nate Diaz gets a new contract? Very good,” claimed White.

    Since Dustin Poirier’s defeat to Charles Oliveira last December, it’s appeared the Louisianan’s pursuit of fun fights would land him at the feet of Diaz. But despite both appearing down to scrap, the matchup doesn’t appear to be any closer to coming together, something Diaz perceives as “slow-rolling” on the part of the UFC.

    Diaz Is Ready For His “Last Fight”

    In a recent Instagram post, Diaz provided a different take on his immediate future to White. While he once again reiterated his desire to share the cage with “The Diamond,” the Stockton native also described the potential matchup as his “last fight.”

    Tagging White, Diaz made it clear he’s eager to get things moving and have the final fight on his active deal completed.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Caxp61kvngJ/

    “I’m ready to fight my last fight @ufc @danawhite this guys says he’s ready also so lets get this shit poppin
    I got shit to do ✈️”

    Given White’s comments about an inevitable third fight between Diaz and Conor McGregor, perhaps the promotion is stalling in order to try and tie the 36-year-old down to a new deal, thus allowing both the Poirier and McGregor fights to take place before Diaz departs.

    Either way, we’ll find out what the future holds for the UFC mainstay in the coming weeks and months.

    If Nate Diaz competes once more inside the Octagon, who would you like to see him face?

  • Archives: Covington Details UFC 235 Run-In With ‘B*tch’ Nate Diaz (2019)

    The following article featuring UFC 272 headliner Colby Covington was published on this day three years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Three Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 6, 2019, 9:22 AM]

    Colby Covington wasn’t even competing at UFC 235 over the weekend but was still one of the event’s biggest stories. “Chaos” had confrontations with the likes of UFC President Dana White, Kamau Usman, NFL star Todd Gurley, and more. However, it sounds like he also had a brief run-in with UFC mega-star Nate Diaz.

    Speaking to “The Ariel Helwani MMA Show”, Covington said the Stockton native flipped him the bird while passing by cageside (via MMA Mania):

    “Our skill level is way apart from each other. He’s a bottom feeder,” said Covington. “It was funny because he walked by me and he said, ‘F*ck you Colby.’ And he flipped me off when I was sitting front row and he walked by cageside. It’s just funny. keep that energy Nate. If you’re so tough, let’s see it inside the cage, b*tch.”

    Diaz hasn’t fought since his 2016 rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 202. He was briefly scheduled to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 230, but an injury to “The Diamond” forced that fight off. Now, Diaz’s return to the Octagon remains up in the air.

    After Usman was crowned the new king of the UFC’s welterweight division, Covington is expected to get the next crack at the title. A key reason for Covington’s ruckus all weekend was his lobbying for a title opportunity. It looks like all the self-promotion finally paid off.

    What do you think about Covington’s comments regarding his run-in with Diaz?

  • Dana White On McGregor/Diaz 3: “I’d Be Shocked If It Didn’t Happen”

    UFC President Dana White feels as optimistic as ever about a Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz trilogy happening down the line.

    McGregor is expected to return in 2022 following his nasty leg break against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. There are a few potential opponents for his return, including Michael Chandler and even lightweight champ Charles Oliveira.

    Diaz appears set to face Poirier in a grudge match later this year, although negotiations are still ongoing. He hasn’t fought since his loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 263.

    Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz
    Credit: Getty Images

    McGregor and Diaz last competed against one another at UFC 202, with McGregor earning a majority decision win. Diaz won their first matchup on short notice at UFC 196.

    McGregor and Diaz voiced their interest in a trilogy directly following their last matchup. But, Diaz has hinted that McGregor will need to be triumphant in his return to deserve a third fight with him.

    During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, White spoke about whether or not talks of the McGregor/Diaz trilogy are dead.

    “We’re still working on that fight, that fight’s not done yet,” White said of Diaz vs. Poirier. “But yeah, I wouldn’t count out Conor-Nate 3. Listen, I’d be shocked if that fight didn’t happen again. [Conor’s] chomping at the bit to come back. Realistically, when you look at everything [Conor] has going on right now with coming back and other things he needs to do to prepare again, it’s looking like early fall [for his return].”

    White has also teased a potential title fight for McGregor upon his return, although he alluded to a few different things happening before that becomes a possibility. McGregor has claimed that he’ll get the title shot in his first fight back from his injury.

    McGregor and Diaz are two of the biggest stars in UFC history, and the third fight between them figures to be arguably the biggest event to make going forward.

    We recently wrote about possible opponents for the Conor McGregor’s next fight.

    Do you think Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3 will happen?

  • Conor McGregor Next Fight: Potential Opponents, Timeline

    Conor McGregor’s next fight is an opportunity for “The Notorious” to revitalize his UFC career.

    It’s unclear who his next opponent will be. However, we can look at several fighters who want a “Money fight” against McGregor.

    Dustin Poirier Conor McGregor
    (via Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    Conor McGregor’s Losses to Dustin Poirier

    McGregor hopes to rebound from two losses against his rival “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier.

    He already had a 1st round KO win over Poirier at UFC 178 on Sep. 27, 2014, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, the fight happened at featherweight, and they both had evolved as fighters since their first encounter.

    “The Diamond” got his revenge, defeating McGregor by TKO in the 2nd round at UFC 257 on Jan. 24, 2021, on Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. While McGregor acted friendly with Poirier before the rematch, he changed his attitude in their last fight.

    Before their third fight, McGregor insulted both Poirier and his wife. He also posted a screenshot of Poirier’s wife’s DM request on Twitter, insinuating infidelity. Although the MMA superstar tried to get under his opponent’s skin, Poirier got the last laugh.

    At the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Poirier defeated McGregor by TKO in the 1st round at UFC 264 on Jul. 10, 2021. The MMA superstar suffered a broken leg (tibia) during the fight, and the referee ended the fight due to doctor stoppage.

    Conor McGregor injury
    (via: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

    Leg Injury

    The injury resulted in McGregor having surgery, which has kept him out of competition. Coach John Kavanagh also shared that McGregor suffered an ankle injury before the third fight with Poirier.

    While he isn’t ready for fights yet, the Irishman has recovered from his surgery and walks without assistance. He appeared healthy as he supported his SBG Ireland teammates at Bellator 275 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, on Feb. 25.

    He may also be moving up at welterweight for his next fight. McGregor has a history of fighting at welterweight unless his fight has UFC Lightweight Championship implications.

    On a two-fight losing streak and ranked ninth at lightweight, it doesn’t seem likely he’ll be close to a championship opportunity.

    Conor McGregor
    (via Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    Possible Opponents for McGregor’s Next Fight

    As McGregor prepares to make his UFC return, it’s time to consider possible opponents for the former two-division champion. Although McGregor is UFC’s biggest star, he needs a popular challenger to fight against.

    Conor McGregor Nate Diaz
    (via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

    Nate Diaz

    UFC fans have anticipated a third fight between McGregor and Nate Diaz as both fighters have a win over the other at welterweight. The rivalry has also created two successful pay-per-view buy rates with UFC 196 and 202.

    Although Nate Diaz is on a two-fight losing streak, he impressed fans with his last performance by hurting Leon Edwards at UFC 263 at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on Jun. 12, 2021. Diaz also shared that he wants to stop fighting soon, so the UFC may decide to have the trilogy before he retires.

    (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    Dustin Poirier

    While Dustin Poirier has two wins against McGregor, fans still wonder what would’ve happened if the injury didn’t occur in their last fight.

    McGregor remains confident that he would’ve defeated Poirier at UFC 264 and still has animosity towards his rival. In an interview with Morning Kombat’s Brian Campbell, Poirier also believes their feud isn’t over yet.

    “I don’t think so. I don’t think the chapter will ever be closed, said Poirier(h/t Harvey Leonard).

    “The Diamond” has teased a move to welterweight after losing to Charles Oliveria for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 269 at the T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 11, 2021. A welterweight fight against McGregor adds a different element to a potential bout, as McGregor has more experience in the weight class than Poirier.

    It could also benefit Dustin Poirier to adjust to a new weight class against an opponent he’s defeated twice.

    Conor McGregor Jorge Masvidal
    (Photo credit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma, @gamebredfighter)

    Jorge Masvidal

    “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal presents a unique opportunity for the UFC and Conor McGregor.

    Masvidal is considered the reigning BMF Champion, although he’s lost twice to UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 and 261. Since winning the BMF title, the UFC hasn’t made him defend it. The company may not recognize it as a legitimate championship, but it is an option they can use to promote McGregor’s next PPV main event fight.

    Masvidal has shown interest in fighting the Dublin native in the past. UFC President Dana White downplayed a potential matchup and thought Jorge Masvidal was too big for McGregor. However, the UFC could have McGregor challenge “Gamebred” for the BMF Championship.

    The company may also have Masvidal and McGregor fight without needing a title. The BMF Champion will compete against Colby Covington in a non-title fight main event at UFC 272 at the T-Mobile Arena on March 5.

    Whether Masvidal wins or losses, the UFC has shown faith that he doesn’t need to use the BMF title to sell a PPV. Alongside McGregor, he could create intrigue for fans to want to see them fight.

    Kamaru Usman, Conor McGregor
    (Image Credits: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC & Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    Another opportunity for McGregor is the possibility of beating a ranked welterweight. “Gamebred” is ranked sixth in the division, and a win for McGregor could make him an instant contender for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

    He’s also teased challenging Kamaru Usman for the title and thinks he could be a three-division UFC champion. Beating Masvidal at welterweight gives McGregor options to be a welterweight or lightweight title contender.

    Conor McGregor
    (Photo Credit: Rex / Shutterstock GQ Magazine)

    When Will Conor McGregor’s Next Fight Be?

    It’s unclear what the UFC has planned for the Conor McGregor next fight. Regardless, the UFC star is looking forward to ending his two-fight losing streak and showing that the surgery made him stronger. The company seems to have its PPV schedule planned until June.

    Conclusion

    Despite his uncertain UFC return, McGregor has plenty of opponents for a comeback fight. However, the MMA superstar will need to get cleared by doctors and resume raining before he can step into the Octagon and score another victory.

    MMA News will provide an update when more information is available.

  • Jorge Masvidal Wants To Put An End To Nate Diaz’s Trash Talk

    BMF Champion Jorge Masvidal won’t pull any punches if a rematch happens against Nate Diaz.

    UFC 272 goes underway on March 5. Masvidal will face his former training partner and rival Colby Covington. The headlining event is sure to drop jaws as pre-fight tension is at an all-time high.

    The two fighters are going back and forth with vicious verbal attacks on social media and interviews, setting up what could be the most hate-fueled fight in recent history. However, a recent uptick in Masvidal’s rivalry with Nate Diaz may bump the Covington fight down a few notches.

    The conflict between Masividal and Diaz has been brewing since their first battle in 2019. The fight ended in a doctor stoppage at the end of round 3. And although Masvidal was the winner and claimed the BMF belt, of course, Nate Diaz would not let that be the end of it.

    Jorge Masvidal, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Nate Diaz
    Jorge Masvidal, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Nate Diaz; Photo Credit: Getty Images

    Social media would see a lot of tweets from Diaz expressing his honest disapproval of Masvidal as well as mocking him. Because of this, Masvidal feels disrespected by Diaz and would be willing to fight him before a rematch with Usman after the Covington fight.

    “That little fu***** broomstick keeps talking, you’re going to have to go at some point, you know. [When] I take Colby’s a** out, if I gotta wait for Usman, it could be you that gets this a**whooping, bro… Let’s fu***** go, man, I’m gonna break your fu***** face, bro,” said Masvidal (h/t SportsKeeda),

    Many fighters know the game of trash talk. With many fights, it is the foundation to get fans pumped to watch. For Masvidal, he would just love the opportunity to shut Diaz up.

    Another title shot is still on “Gamebred’s” mind. However, it can be put on hold so long as he gets a rematch against Diaz.

    “It’s not a call out. After handling business, I’m going for the title, and if I don’t have time to go for the title, I’m gonna break your fu***** face for all the s*** talking you’ve done,” Masvidal continued.

    Only time will tell if Masvidal and Diaz will run it back. Clearly, though, it is a priority on Masvidal’s list. Fans will have to wait and see if Diaz will be on board.

    What are your thoughts on the prospect of Masvidal vs. Diaz 2?

  • Nate Diaz Puts McGregor Trilogy On Ice: “He Got A Lot Of Work To Do”

    Nate Diaz is looking forward to his return to the Octagon in 2022 on the last fight of his deal, but it won’t be against Conor McGregor.

    Diaz hasn’t fought in the UFC since his loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 263. Despite his promise of an active 2021, he competed just once in the calendar year and is now on the last fight of his contract.

    Diaz has hinted at the idea of a fight with Dustin Poirier for months, but an agreement hasn’t materialized just yet. Poirier seems game for a fight with Diaz but things have stalled regarding talks of a bout.

    One element of the Diaz saga is regarding a potential trilogy with McGregor. He won the first matchup on short notice at UFC 196, before narrowly falling to McGregor in the rematch at UFC 202.

    During a recent interview with YouTuber Adam’s Apple, Diaz kept it short and sweet when asked about a potential trilogy with McGregor.

    “Not right now,” Diaz said. “He got a lot of work to do.” (h/t SportsKeeda)

    McGregor is also anticipating a return to action later this year after suffering a gruesome leg break at UFC 264 against Poirier. He has lost three of his last four fights with the lone victory coming against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.

    Diaz and McGregor have gone at it on social media in recent months, especially following McGregor’s most recent loss to Poirier via doctor’s stoppage. Diaz and McGregor are undoubtedly two of the UFC’s biggest stars.

    Do you think we’ll ever see Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor 3?

  • NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Names His Favorite Active MMA Fighter

    Shaquille O’Neal names one of Stockton’s finest, Nate Diaz, as his favorite MMA fighter.

    The four-time NBA champion is highly revered in basketball. He committed 19 years to the center position in six different teams, including the Lakers and Celtics. Now, among a lengthy list of trades, “Shaq” offers his expert opinion as an NBA analyst.

    Shaquille O’Neal, Photo Credit: AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill

    The giant and former NBA sensation is a big fan of mixed martial arts and has high regard for MMA fighters.

    O’Neal trained in the sport and credits it as helping him transform into the best shape of his life.

    Over the weekend, two exciting sporting events took place. On Saturday, MMA fans watched Adesanya defend the middleweight throne against Whittaker in their rematch at UFC 271. The following day, football fans geared up to watch the Rams defeat the Bengals in the Super Bowl.

    O’Neal likely enjoyed both events. During a Super Bowl party, “Shaq” gave props to Nate Diaz. He appreciates the Diaz fighting style and brutality he brings to the cage.

    “I love Nate… because I love his fighting style. It’s similar to mine. IDGAF, if you know what I mean. He’s just real. I like people that are real, you know… and you gotta respect people like that,” O’Neal told ES NEWS.

    Nate Diaz
    Nate Diaz, Photo Credit: Getty Images

    “Shaq” joins a plethora of MMA fans that love watching Nate Diaz put on outstanding performances in the Octagon. He brings toughness, viciousness, and strategic wit that gets under his opponents’ skin, and the crowd roars for it.

    From social media banter and controversy to telling reporters like it is, no one expects Nate Diaz to fail at “keeping it real.” No matter how famous the name, Nate Diaz demands a piece of the action. And win or lose, he does not miss an opportunity to give his opinion on anything or anyone that catches his attention.

    What’s Next For Nate Diaz?

    Nate Diaz
    Nate Diaz, Photo Credit: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Shaquille O’Neal retired in 2011, and Diaz claims he is planning his retirement bout for this year against Dustin Poirier.

    Both fighters want each other as their next opponent. Neither fighter landed a win in their previous bouts, so this pairing would be a battle for redemption.

    As a fan of O’Neal, “Shaq” might just be in attendance at the next Nate Diaz fight in the front row, cheering on his favorite fighter in what could be his final match.

    Who is your favorite MMA fighter?

  • Dustin Poirier Doesn’t Believe Nate Diaz Is Really Eying Retirement

    Dustin Poirier isn’t buying Nate Diaz’s retirement claim.

    Following his heartbreaking loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269, Dustin Poirier immediately began his soul-searching journey. He wasn’t sure what the future held for him or if there even is a future as far as MMA is concerned, but he did know one thing: If he were to have one more fight, it would need to be against Nate Diaz.

    Poirier and Diaz have unfinished business dating back four years ago to their collapsed UFC 230 booking. Neither man has forgotten that unfulfilled date, and they have sporadically trash-talked one another on social media over the years.

    It wasn’t until Poirier’s loss to Oliveira that talk of the two finally fighting hit such a fever pitch. Both men have publicly agreed to fight, and yet there has been no significant progress toward making it official.

    Diaz Joins Poirier’s Unscheduled Retirement Party

    Nate Diaz
    © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    Over the weekend, Nate Diaz would take a different approach towards getting the fight against Poirier booked. He would appeal to the UFC to set this up as his retirement fight before he rides off into the Stockton sunset.

    While it is unknown what White and the UFC made of Diaz’s retirement claim, the other invested party, Dustin Poirier, isn’t convinced.

    “I don’t believe that,” Poirier said of Diaz’s retirement claim during a recent media scrum. “Nate, he’s got that dog in him. He’s gonna fight forever. We’ll see what happens, but I believe he has a lot of fight left in him—but no telling what his plans are and his exit game and whatever’s going on. But I want the fight, and I think he wants it as well.”

    Poirier’s choice of words may have been influenced by Diaz himself, who just last year stated that he would never retire.

    One possibility is that Diaz is using a faux retirement as a way to persuade the UFC to book this fight as the last fight on his current UFC deal while avoiding any re-signing negotiations. That would allow Diaz to not only get the fight he wants but also hit the free-agent market, where he would have increased negotiation leverage, whether or not he opts to re-sign with the UFC.

    Poirier has maintained that a fight with Diaz is the only bout he’s interested in, and the feeling seems to be mutual on the Diaz side.

    As we tread deeper into 2022, we’ll find out if this year will play host to one or both of these two legends’ final career fight and if it will be against one another.

    Do you believe Nate Diaz would really retire after a fight against Dustin Poirier?