Nate Diaz turns himself in to New Orleans police after arrest warrant issued

Nate Diaz has turned himself in to police.

Following an arrest warrant issued Monday by the New Orleans Police Department, Diaz was in custody Thursday. According to online inmate records, Diaz was officially booked at 7:40 a.m. CT.

Police issued a warrant for Diaz’s arrest on a charge of second-degree battery after a video surfaced last Friday of the former UFC star choking a man unconscious during larger brawl on famed Bourbon Street. The man was later identified as Rodney Petersen Jr., a social media influencer, pro boxer, and amateur MMA fighter.

According to police, Diaz arrived at NOPD’s Sixth District station “in the presence of his attorney. … Diaz was transported to the Orleans Parish Justice Center and booked accordingly. He remains in the custody of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office pending an initial court appearance.”

Diaz’s representative, Zach Rosenfield, told MMA Junkie in a statement that Diaz voluntarily turned himself into authorities and plans to prove he acted in self-defense.

“Nate voluntarily turned himself in to the New Orleans Police Department this morning approximately at 7:10AM CT,” Rosenfield said. “We continue to look forward to presenting all the evidence and videos that show Nate was acting in self-defense.”

The scuffle started during a Misfits Boxing event, which Diaz’s teammate Chris Avila competed on, before it spilled onto the streets. During the boxing event, Diaz was involved in an altercation with Netflix star Chase DeMoor, who was also seen in the videos as part of the brawl on Bourbon Street.

If found guilty, Diaz could face up to eight years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine, which is the penalty in Louisiana for second-degree battery.

Diaz is scheduled to fight Jake Paul in a boxing match Aug. 5 in Dallas, his first combat sports competition since his UFC departure.