Latest news with #NateDiaz
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eyeing trilogy fight, Nate Diaz wants Conor McGregor to return
Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor have a storied history. They've fought twice with each winning one. Diaz stepped up on 10-days notice to face McGregor at UFC 196 in March 2016 after McGregor's original opponent then-lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos was a forced out due to a broken foot. Diaz submitted McGregor, handing the Irishman his first UFC loss. The two rematched five months later at UFC 202. McGregor avenged the loss, defeating Diaz via majority decision. Neither Diaz nor McGregor are still competing in the UFC although McGregor remains under contract with the fight promotion. If Diaz had his choice, McGregor would be his next opponent. "If I could fight anybody right now I would fight, with all due respect to them, if Conor McGregor came back and did some f**king sh*t. Conor McGregor. There ain't nobody else to fight really right now," Diaz said on Out Cold with Chuck Liddell. "I would like for him to come back and impress everybody first. Not that he needs to, but it would be good to see him back. Everybody is hating on him and I'd like to beat up somebody on top of the world and I think he's got the capability to do that."McGregor last fought at UFC 264 four years ago in July 2021, losing to Dustin Poirier after suffering a broken leg in the final seconds of the opening round. He's teased an octagon return several times and was expected to face Michael Chandler in the UFC 303 main event in June 2024. The two coached opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter 31, but McGregor pulled out of the fight citing a toe injury. The Irishman has rejuvenated speculation of a return by re-entering the anti-doping testing pool after President Donald Trump announced plans to host a UFC event on the White House grounds in 2026.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Truth over Nick Diaz's 'kidnapping' revealed as coach addresses claims UFC legend was drugged, flown to Mexico
Panicked UFC fans need not worry about Nick Diaz's reported kidnapping, drugging and involuntary commitment to a Mexican rehab facility: The 41-year-old MMA legend is just fine, according to his long-time coach. Cesar Gracie, who trained both Nick and his famous brother Nate during their UFC days, put a stop to the rumor mill on Instagram, where he posted a picture of the Stockton, California native putting in some work on the mat. 'Nick is healthy and well,' Gracie, a member of Brazilian jiu-jitsu's first family, wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of what looked like Diaz. 'Not cloned or kidnapped. Has not joined MS-13.' Fans had grown worried about the older Diaz brother after an Instagram user reported the bizarre claims days earlier. 'Nick has been forcibly taken by his cousin and transported across the border into Mexico, where he is confined in a rehabilitation facility against his will,' the since-deleted message began. 'He was drugged during this process and has made numerous attempts to escape, but the authorities consistently return him to the facility.' The unidentified Instagram user claimed Diaz's communication was 'severely restricted,' with all messages being relayed through someone named Ruben. Diaz hoped to return home to California, the user said, and wanted to know who had the power to keep him locked up at a drug rehab facility in Mexico. Nate Diaz poses with his brother Nick after his submission victory over Tony Ferguson in a welterweight fight during the UFC 279 event at T-Mobile Arena on September 10, 2022 As for the true identity of that Instagram user, that remains a bit of a mystery. The account features pictures of a woman alongside Diaz, who the user described as their 'love' in at least one post. But while this person may seem like Diaz's romantic interest, Gracie shot down that notion by writing that Diaz does 'not have a girlfriend but is probably looking.' Daily Mail has reached out to the person for comment. Further confusing the matter has been Diaz's own silence. This is just the latest bizarre story involving the older Diaz brother. In November, he took criticism from fans for selling personalized online messages through a company called Cameo, only for many to receive blank videos with static noise. 'A real scam, they sent me a three-second video with a black screen,' read a September 20 review. 'I spent 229 dollars on a three-second video with a black screen. Please, let no one else fall for this scam.' Diaz joined the platform in March 2022. While 54 percent of his reviews gave him five stars, 39 percent of his clients gave him the worst rating while 7 percent gave him two stars. In September 2015, Diaz was infamously handed a five-year ban from MMA after his post-fight drug test from UFC 138 came back with traces of marijuana metabolites. The Nevada State Athletic Commission also fined him $165,00 following a failed drug test from UFC 138. While Diaz lost to Anderson Silva at UFC 183, the result was later overturned after Silva's pre-fight drug test showed traces for drostanolone, which is an anabolic steroid. Following his appeal, the suspension and fine were reduced to 18 months and $100,000 in January 2016. However, Diaz would not fight again until 2021, losing to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. Diaz holds a 26-10 MMA record with 13 knockouts and eight submissions as he gears up to face Vicente Luque at UFC 310 in December. The Stockton native's most notable run came between 2008 and 2011, winning 11 straight bouts. Following the win streak, he lost back-to-back title efforts against Carlos Condit and George St-Pierre before the infamous Silva fight. Nick is the older brother of Nate Diaz, another MMA legend who famously choked out Conor McGregor after stepping in on short notice at UFC 196 in 2016.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Conor McGregor Reacts to Sean O'Malley's Camp Ahead of UFC 316
Conor McGregor Reacts to Sean O'Malley's Camp Ahead of UFC 316 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. June is here, and the UFC calendar is about to explode with energy—starting with the much-hyped UFC 316. This card is stacked, but all eyes are on the main event, where fan-favorite Sean O'Malley steps back into the Octagon, chasing redemption. The stakes couldn't be higher. After a unanimous decision loss in his last fight, O'Malley is looking to silence critics and reclaim his momentum. And just when you thought the drama couldn't ramp up any more, a surprising show of respect emerged from none other than Conor McGregor—a fighter O'Malley hasn't exactly seen eye to eye with in recent years. Advertisement At the UFC 316 media day, a moment caught attention. In a clip shared by mmafightingonsbn, O'Malley was asked about the McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 2 fight, which he had been rewatching for inspiration. Then came the curveball. A reporter revealed to O'Malley that McGregor had praised his approach to this fight, likening it to his own preparation for the legendary Diaz rematch. 'I've always taken inspiration from Conor fights,' said O'Malley. 'You know, I watch Conor fights probably more than—well, my fights more—but I've watched a lot of Conor fights.' When the reporter added that McGregor was 'very complimentary,' O'Malley grinned: '…I'll take it.' And when asked about their previously rocky relationship, his response was heartfelt: 'I'll forever be, you know, a huge Conor fan.' Their past beef is no secret. From subtle jabs on social media to O'Malley publicly calling out McGregor's antics in interviews, the friction was real. McGregor, in turn, took dismissive swipes at O'Malley during their past exchanges. Conor McGregor speaking at press conference for Bare Knuckle Fighting ChampionshipGettyImages But as UFC 316 looms, something seems to have shifted. Respect has been restored—almost unknowingly—from O'Malley's side, showing genuine admiration even before he was aware of McGregor's praise. Former UFC Bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley@ Sam Navarro/ Imagn Images As Saturday approaches, UFC 316 isn't just shaping up to be a banger inside the cage—it's becoming a narrative of evolution, maturity, and mutual respect between two of the sport's most flamboyant stars. Whether fireworks or finesse awaits, this one's got heat written all over it. Advertisement Related: Tom Aspinall Reveals Major Update Ahead of UFC Return Related: UFC Fan Favorite Targets Return After Brutal Submission Loss This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Nate Diaz Names Four Opponents For Potential UFC Return
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Nate Diaz is seen in the corner of Kron Gracie during the UFC 310 ... More event at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) The last time Nate Diaz fought under the UFC banner was in September 2022, when he scored a submission win over Tony Ferguson in a fight that came to be when his initial opponent, Khamzat Chimaev, came in overweight for their main event welterweight matchup. The matchup at UFC 279 was the final fight on Diaz's UFC contract. The now 40-year-old Diaz seems interested in making a return to the UFC in 2025. "I plan on going back to UFC," Diaz said on "The HJR Podcast." "If they'll have me, I would like to go back and (expletive) whoop someone's ass there. I'm not fighting at (155 pounds), though. Right now I'm not fighting in there because there's nobody to fight really. It's kind of slow rolling. I don't really have a name in mind right now in the UFC. That's why I'm not there right now." Diaz (21-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) has not competed in MMA since his win over Ferguson. Instead, he picked up a 1-1 record in boxing during his time away from the Octagon, losing a decision to Jake Paul in 2023 and then beating former UFC opponent Jorge Masvidal by decision in 2024. As for who Diaz could face if he makes a UFC return, the one-time UFC lightweight title challenger said that a trilogy fight against Conor McGregor would be on the table. "Whenever he's back, I'm sure we're going to fight," Diaz said of the man he went 1-1 against. "Me and him for sure got unfinished (business). Got to happen." In the first Diaz vs. McGregor matchup, the Stockton, California competitor scored a second-round submission upset over his Irish opponent at UFC 196 in March 2016. The two then met in a rematch at UFC 202 in August 2016, with McGregor picking up a majority decision win in that matchup. Both Diaz vs. McGregor meetings won "Fight of the Night" bonuses. As for other potential opponents, Diaz expressed interest in facing former UFC featherweight champions Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria. "Those are the guys right there who I would want to fight, like Max Holloway," Diaz said. "I would like to fight the other guy who's really good too, Topuria. He's really good, but he's smaller than me. I'm done with 155. I'm cool off that. It always was (a hard weight cut). When I was 18, it was hard. I'm staying at '70. I'll fight at 185, too." Not long after speaking about McGregor, Holloway, and Topuria, Diaz uploaded a video to his YouTube page where he said he would be willing to face former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. I'll fight Belal's ass," Nate Diaz said while watching Muhammad lose his title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. "I think I'd beat the (expletive) out of Belal Muhammad." UFC CEO Dana White has not spoken about a potential Diaz return to the promotion, but Diaz seemed to fight out his contract on good terms with White and the promotion. "I always joke around about dealing with the Diaz Brothers. These two, you see it now. They're two iconic fighters that20 years from now everybody will remember and talk about. This will always be Nate's house. Nate grew up here," White said in 2023. "He came up on 'The Ultimate Fighter.' He fought some of the biggest fights ever here. We love the kid. I don't know about fighting in the future, but this is always going to be his house. We'll see."
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nate Diaz claims he was supposed to star in 'Road House,' not Conor McGregor
Apparently, the movie remake of "Road House" was supposed to look a lot different. Former UFC star Nate Diaz claims that he was the original plan to play the protagonist's bad guy, Knox, and not his rival Conor McGregor, who ended up co-starring in the film alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. "Road House" was released in 2024 on Prime Video, and it made plenty of headlines given McGregor's involvement. Diaz claimed he turned down the role due to Gyllenhaal's prior role as a gay lover. "I was supposed to do Conor McGregor's part in Road House," Diaz said on "The HJR Podcast." "That was my part, but I was like I'm not fighting, go in there and losing a fight. I've seen the original Roadhouse. So I'm the main bad guy? I'm supposed to fight who's the Patrick Swayze then? And they said it was Jake Gyllenhaal, and I'm like, 'I ain't going to no movie and losing to no Brokeback Mountain.' F*ck that. I'm good. I can't do it." McGregor and Diaz have plenty of history between the two. They're fought twice, with Diaz submitting McGregor in the first fight back in 2016, and McGregor winning the second bout by decision a few months later that same year. Since, the two have spent tons of time trash talking each other online, and many hoped to see a trilogy bout between the two – which now seems unlikely. Diaz is no longer signed with the UFC, and McGregor hasn't fought since breaking his leg in 2021. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Nate Diaz says he was to star in 'Road House,' not Conor McGregor
