It’s undeniable that Nate Diaz is one of the biggest names in combat sports today.
The former UFC title challenger has developed a strong fan base throughout his years competing in MMA. Diaz remains a popular name despite his inactivity, fighting just four times in the last five years. The 36-year-old returns to the cage this Saturday on the UFC 263 main card in Glendale, Ariz. And despite having title fights in the main and co-main events, Diaz’s five-round clash with Leon Edwards just might be the most anticipated bout.
The Stockton native believes his cult following is simply a result of his refusal to adhere to the norms of MMA.
“Because nobody is doing anything with their sh*t in this whole career. Everyone is doing what they should be and doing what they’re told, and they’re acting like motherf*ckers who have jobs,” Diaz told ESPN. “This fight career is not a job. It’s not like going into it with the mentality that sh*t do what you want, fight everybody, and do-whatever-the-f*ck-you-want attitude. That’s all I’m thinking, I don’t know.”
Diaz also lists his fighting style along, with his loyalty to his team, as a reason why he’s gained much respect in the fight game.
“I’m a black belt in jiu-jitsu, I’ve been training with Cezar Gracie my whole career, and that’s the realest fight team anyone can come from,” Diaz said. “We have a long history, and I stick by it, and it’s war at all times. If any of my team is going to war, I’m going to war. If I’m going to war, my team is going to war. That’s why everyone is tuning in to fight. …
“And like I said, (other fighters) do what they’re told. They act a certain way, the way they’re supposed to act, or talk the way they’re supposed to talk, or think the way they’re supposed to think, but I think that’s what keeps everyone attracted to the realness and the fight game. That’s what my whole team is, and it’s not going anywhere.”
Diaz’s bout with Edwards is the first non-title, non-main event that’s been scheduled for five rounds in the UFC. It’s a big fight at 170 pounds, with Edwards on an eight-fight winning streak and ranked in the top five of the division.
If victorious, Diaz is interested in potentially fighting Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title or running things back with Jorge Masvidal or Connor McGregor. However, Diaz is not ready to call any shots until he fights Edwards first.
“All those sound great, and they’re all options, but every single day I got new motivation, so we’ll see what happens after the fight,” Diaz said.
Nate Diaz says ‘the realness’ is why he’s developed such a cult following in the UFC
