When you make a list of the most popular UFC fighters in history, Nate Diaz would be among the top fighters for sure. Both the Diaz brothers were two of the most beloved fighters in UFC. The favorite son of Stockton has been fighting professionally since 2004.
Nate Diaz started his MMA career from the Ultimate Fighting Championship against Robert Emerson. Diaz would go on to win the tournament by beating Manvel Gamburyan in the finale to earn his UFC contract.
He has also fought in a few other organizations such as Strike Force and World Extreme Cage fighting before settling in UFC. Diaz first fought at UFC Fight Night: Thomas vs. Florian against Junior Assuncao, where he won the fight via guillotine choke submission. Diaz has fought some of the best fighters in UFC, such as Rory MacDonald, Benson Henderson, Rafael dos Anjos, and Conor McGregor.
His last fight was against Jorge Masvidal, where he was defeated via technical knockout at UFC 244.
Diaz had put together a 15-10 record in the UFC.
Read More: Jorge Masvidal Compares Nate Diaz With Conor McGregor
His rivalry with Conor McGregor is arguably the most notorious in MMA history. Diaz called McGregor out after Rafael dos Anjos pulled out from the fight with McGregor because of an injury. What happened next was history.
Conor McGregor, who was beating everyone in the featherweight division, moved up to welterweight to fight Diaz and got submitted in the second round. After the fight, the popularity of Diaz skyrocketed and both of them would fight again in a rematch in UFC 202, the most successful PPV card in UFC history at that time.
Read More: All You Need to Know About About Nate Diaz Brother – Nick Diaz
Diaz recently made his UFC return after 3 years of inactivity and fairly dominated former champion, Anthony Pettis. He fought Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden for the BMF title and lost via a doctor’s stoppage.
Diaz likes to make it dirty and pressures his opponent with his never-ending cardio. The American fighter outboxes his opponents with his volume striking.
These punches may not hurt if they are thrown at certain intervals, but Diaz throws them non-stop. He also has the habit of talking trash and breaking his opponent psychologically during a fight.
If the fight goes to the ground, he has elite level BJJ to help him out.
The fighter holds an amazing record of 20-12 in his career. Diaz won season 5 of The Ultimate Fighter. He was also awarded the 2016 Submission of the Year award for his victory over Conor McGregor by Combat Press. Besides that, he won the Performance of the Night bonus 1 time, Fight of the Night Bonus 8 times, Submission of the Night bonus 5 times, and Knockout of the Night bonus 1 time.
During the UFC 202 press conference, Nate Diaz and his opponent, Conor McGregor, threw bottles at each other. Consequently, the duo was fined for their behavior.
Prior to his fight with Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz popped for elevated testosterone levels. Although he was told to keep quiet about the situation, Diaz went on a rampage on Twitter. Eventually, he was allowed to fight Masvidal at UFC 244.
Diaz has earned over $4,891,000 in his UFC career, according to The Sports Daily. The Stockton native made over $500,000 in his fight with Jorge Masvidal. These numbers do not include undisclosed bonuses.
Nate has an estimated net worth of $8 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Apart from the fight purses from UFC, Diaz also has some huge tie-ups with companies such as Represent LTD., Nick Diaz Academy, and Game Up Nutrition.
| Age | 35 |
| Born | April 16, 1985 |
| Country | USA |
| Gym | Ceaser Gracie Fight Team |
| Height | 6ft 0in |
| Weight/ Division | 170.4 lbs (welterweight) |
| Reach | 76 inches |
| Record | 20-12-0,0NC |
| Active Win Streak | 0 |
| Wins by Stoppage (Submissions & KO/TKO) | 16 (5 T/KO & 11 Submissions) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $8 million |
| Endorsements | Represent LTD., Nick Diaz Academy, and Game Up Nutrition |
| Marital Status | N/A |
| Girlfriend | Misty Brown |
| Manager | Mike Kogan |