UFC President Dana White and Nate Diaz have had a weird relationship over the years. From claiming Diaz as ‘not a needle mover’ to putting him in three non-UFC championships PPV headliners, White had a complete turnaround. Now, with the California-based fighter having only one fight left with the promotion, there are still many ups and downs between them.
While the veteran promoter recently criticized the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu athlete for not winning a fight for over five years, he was pro-Diaz after the Stockton natives win at UFC 241. This came after a three-year hiatus when Diaz defeated Anthony Pettis via a unanimous decision.
In the post-fight press conference, a reporter asked whether Diaz has reached Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor-level stardom?
“Yeah, yes, pretty tough to deny,” White answered before cheekily adding, “yeah, he’s a needle-mover now.”
The millionaire promoter also had a story that he believed was one reason people love the 209-representative, Diaz.
“I did the fighter’s meeting and I specifically told him not to swear on ESPN. He looked right at me and said, ‘motherf*cker’, right after the, when he was doing his interview on ESPN,” the 52-year-old said,
Besides, White added, “I read the headline from one of the big papers that had written a story about this—it said, ‘UFC needs an Anti-Hero’. Here he is—Nate Diaz.”
Since that fight, Diaz has competed twice in two five-round bouts against welterweight stars (Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 & Leon Edwards at UFC 263). The Nick Diaz Army associate lost both these contests, though, he had moments of success in both.
Now, he’s looking for his last contractual bout with the promotion and is ready to face ‘anybody’.
Dana White gives green light to Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
Jake Paul has fought a few MMA fighters and teased a bout with Nate Diaz. However, there was nothing evident that came from Diaz’s side until a tweet that hinted at a showdown with ‘The Problem Child‘.
Even Dana White, in an interview with Conor McGregor’s outlet, The MacLife agreed with former UFC lightweight title challenger, Diaz.
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