Nate Diaz
USA
Gets saved by corner after beating
Diaz lost to Mike Perry via TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 2 at MVP MMA 1 in Inglewood on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
There were moments when it looked like prime Diaz wanted to peak through, such as when he hit a slick judo throw from the clinch or the use of a few well-timed 1-2 combinations to snap Perry's head back. Ultimately, though, Diaz just looks unsteady on his feet these days, as his last few combat sports outings have seen him yield space and wait for his opponent to tire. Perry did not oblige, landing body shots that nearly folded up Nate, before slicing him up with hard right hands and elbows from close range. The fight was all but over when Perry landed a flying knee at the end of Round 2, forcing the corner to step in. As he often does when he loses, Nate said he would do better next time and called for a rematch. While Perry seemed to be open to the idea, it's difficult to imagine another fight going much differently, as the damage Diaz has taken over the years is clearly starting to show. He fell to 21-14-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
There were moments when it looked like prime Diaz wanted to peak through, such as when he hit a slick judo throw from the clinch or the use of a few well-timed 1-2 combinations to snap Perry's head back. Ultimately, though, Diaz just looks unsteady on his feet these days, as his last few combat sports outings have seen him yield space and wait for his opponent to tire. Perry did not oblige, landing body shots that nearly folded up Nate, before slicing him up with hard right hands and elbows from close range. The fight was all but over when Perry landed a flying knee at the end of Round 2, forcing the corner to step in. As he often does when he loses, Nate said he would do better next time and called for a rematch. While Perry seemed to be open to the idea, it's difficult to imagine another fight going much differently, as the damage Diaz has taken over the years is clearly starting to show. He fell to 21-14-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
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Facing criminal charges
The New Orleans Police Department confirmed Monday that an arrest warrant has been issued for Diaz on a charge of second-degree battery for his alleged involvement in a brawl that occurred Saturday on Bourbon Street, Steven Marrocco of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The 38-year-old fighter hasn't been taken into custody, and his representative refused to comment on the matter. Diaz is scheduled for a boxing match against Jake Paul in August, but whether or not the fight proceeds remains to be seen.
The 38-year-old fighter hasn't been taken into custody, and his representative refused to comment on the matter. Diaz is scheduled for a boxing match against Jake Paul in August, but whether or not the fight proceeds remains to be seen.
Enters free agency with win
Diaz defeated Tony Ferguson via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:52 of Round 4 at UFC 279 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
All Diaz cared about this weekend was fighting somebody, anybody, so he could fulfill his UFC contract and enter free agency. He ended up with Ferguson after Khamzat Chimaev's epic weight miss resulted in the card being altered. In typical Diaz fashion, he went out with a submission win. Nate didn't really do much of anything in this fight other than pushing forward and firing off wild combinations. The thing is, that's enough to beat the corpse of Ferguson these days. Diaz absorbed far too many low kicks from Tony, but other than that, was never in any trouble. The finish came when Ferguson completed a takedown but left his neck exposed in the process. Now 37 years old, there's a real chance Diaz has no idea what's next for him. There's been talk of him entering the boxing world, starting his own MMA promotion with his brother Nick, and a million other things. Regardless of what he chooses, Nate will be extremely well compensated, which was the goal from the outset. Speaking of compensation, he'll go out as the recipient of one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening.
All Diaz cared about this weekend was fighting somebody, anybody, so he could fulfill his UFC contract and enter free agency. He ended up with Ferguson after Khamzat Chimaev's epic weight miss resulted in the card being altered. In typical Diaz fashion, he went out with a submission win. Nate didn't really do much of anything in this fight other than pushing forward and firing off wild combinations. The thing is, that's enough to beat the corpse of Ferguson these days. Diaz absorbed far too many low kicks from Tony, but other than that, was never in any trouble. The finish came when Ferguson completed a takedown but left his neck exposed in the process. Now 37 years old, there's a real chance Diaz has no idea what's next for him. There's been talk of him entering the boxing world, starting his own MMA promotion with his brother Nick, and a million other things. Regardless of what he chooses, Nate will be extremely well compensated, which was the goal from the outset. Speaking of compensation, he'll go out as the recipient of one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening.
Now fighting Ferguson
Diaz will now take on Tony Ferguson as a co-main even alongside Khamzat Chimaev against Kevin Holland.
ANALYSIS
Diaz was originally scheduled to square off against Khamzat Chimaev, but Bhimaevcame in 7.5 pounds over the limit due to medical issues while attempting to cut weight leading up to weigh-ins. As a result, the fights have been shifted around, and Diaz's main event has changed to a co-main event.
Diaz was originally scheduled to square off against Khamzat Chimaev, but Bhimaevcame in 7.5 pounds over the limit due to medical issues while attempting to cut weight leading up to weigh-ins. As a result, the fights have been shifted around, and Diaz's main event has changed to a co-main event.
Chimaev overweight by 7.5 pounds
Diaz's upcoming opponent Khamzat Chimaev will not make another attempt to cut down to the lightweight limit after weighing in at 178.5 pounds ahead of UFC 279 on Saturday, Jose Youngs of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
This is certainly a situation worth monitoring, as it's currently unclear how the UFC will handle the development ahead of what was supposed to be the main event for UFC 279. Initial reports suggest that Diaz is unlikely to accept the fight following Chimaev's weight miss, but it's unclear if the UFC will attempt to find a replacement opponent for Diaz, or if the fight will be called off altogether. Regardless of what happens, with the pay-per-view event only one day away, the UFC will have its hands full sorting this out over the next 24 hours.
This is certainly a situation worth monitoring, as it's currently unclear how the UFC will handle the development ahead of what was supposed to be the main event for UFC 279. Initial reports suggest that Diaz is unlikely to accept the fight following Chimaev's weight miss, but it's unclear if the UFC will attempt to find a replacement opponent for Diaz, or if the fight will be called off altogether. Regardless of what happens, with the pay-per-view event only one day away, the UFC will have its hands full sorting this out over the next 24 hours.
Facing Chimaev at UFC 279
Diaz will face Khamzat Chimaev in a lightweight fight at UFC 279 on Sept. 10, Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
After a long standoff with the UFC, Diaz will finally get back into the Octagon, taking on Chimaev. Diaz stands two inches shorter than Chimaev, but sports a one-inch reach advantage. The fight is the final fight on Diaz's UFC contract and the fighter has expressed his desire to leave after one final fight. Diaz will have to keep Chimaev on his feet, as Chimaev has won two of his five fights by submission and averaged 3.23 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
After a long standoff with the UFC, Diaz will finally get back into the Octagon, taking on Chimaev. Diaz stands two inches shorter than Chimaev, but sports a one-inch reach advantage. The fight is the final fight on Diaz's UFC contract and the fighter has expressed his desire to leave after one final fight. Diaz will have to keep Chimaev on his feet, as Chimaev has won two of his five fights by submission and averaged 3.23 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.