The Diaz brothers took their training seriously they are Gracie black belts in jiu jitsu. MMA is a chaotic endeavor, but many of its best come from stable backgrounds - NCAA All American wrestlers, Olympic champions or products of childhoods spent in strict gyms from Dagestan to Sao Paulo that turn them into multifaceted fighting machines. They would become big organic stars for this organically growing sport. The Diaz brothers had watched some early UFC cards on rented VHS tapes and become enthralled with jiu jitsu, but there was no long-term plan. Future UFC president Dana White was still working as a boxing instructor. This was around 2000, when the UFC was still banned by most states, not to mention on pay-per-view. “I was like, ‘ you.’ But I grabbed my and went.”Ī career was born. “Nick said, ‘You better get your ass to the gym with me after that ass performance,” Nate recalled. The next morning, with Nate home due to suspension, Nick said he was leaving for training and Nate should join him. The cops came, sent my name back to the school.” “We both just cracked each other a few times. “We fought it out for a little while, nobody won,” Nate said. (Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Nate Diaz flexes during the official weigh-ins on Friday, a day before UFC 279. The UFC always wins, is always able to force extensions and sign new deals to keep marquee stars locked in until they become replaceable. It’s something Hall of Fame talents with teams of lawyers have tried and failed through the years. Here, on his second-to-last day, Diaz held the promotion over a barrel, just as he always wanted.Ĭompleting his UFC contract might be Diaz’s greatest victory in the fight game. However, the undefeated Chimaev didn’t come close to making weight Friday, so the UFC had to scramble to give Diaz more money and an opponent in Ferguson on a four-fight losing streak. He was supposed to fight the more formidable, at least on paper, Khamzat Chimaev at 170 pounds. Keep fighting? Stop fighting? Fight Jake Paul? Return to the UFC one day? Just stick with his new fight promotion business (Real Fight, Inc.) to go along with his other business interests: the cannabis company, the clothing line and jiu jitsu training center he operates with his older brother, Nick?Įven the end came with typical drama, although this time not of his making. President to ever attend an MMA card.ĭiaz, 37, fought his way into the promotion 15 years ago by winning the reality show “Ultimate Fighter.” He’ll fight his way out Saturday when he takes on Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 279, fulfilling his contract and earning himself the professional freedom to do, as Diaz is wont, whatever the hell he feels like. It was such a big deal Donald Trump showed up, the first U.S. He once, along with Jorge Masvidal, inspired the UFC to create the one-time “Baddest Mother” championship belt. He once brilliantly submitted an opponent with a triangle choke while shooting his middle fingers at the live broadcast cameras - “double fingers and a fully locked triangle,” shouted broadcaster Joe Rogan. He once left a broken down contract negotiation at company headquarters and relieved himself outside next to a garbage bin.
Nate Diaz once smoked a joint at a UFC news conference.
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