Have you ever thought about what it takes to be the ultimate fighter? For Nate Diaz, it means taking a three-year break from the fighting world, waiting for someone to step up to the challenge. The wait seemed to go on forever, until ‘Street Jesus’ stepped up to the plate. The Stockton star recently opened up about how Jorge Masvidal motivated him to come out of his hiatus in 2019.

Training hard and making his own fights happen, Diaz has repeatedly proven that he is not to be underestimated. Now, with a highly anticipated fight against Jake Paul on the horizon, Diaz’s return to action is making waves in the fighting world. As Diaz awaits the fortunes of the future, he took a look back at his return to the UFC in 2019.

Nate Diaz credits Jorge Masvidal for reigniting his desire to fight

After Nate Diaz’s defeat against Conor McGregor at UFC 202, he took a step back from the fighting world. Three years went by, and despite waiting for someone to challenge him, nobody actually stepped up.

However, in 2019, Diaz made a victorious return to the octagon by defeating the former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis at UFC 241. Following his win, Diaz issued a challenge to Jorge Masvidal, calling himself the “baddest m*********r in the game”.

In a recent interview, Diaz recollected his frustration, saying, “Nobody did anything, and three years went by, and I was training the whole time waiting for someone to do something, nobody did sh*t.” His disappointment was evident as he recalled the anticipation building up to the Masvidal vs. Askren fight, hoping that Masvidal would emerge victorious, stating, “Please beat this m*********r, please beat him because for the sake of the sport you’re gonna get this guy win and then he’s gonna sit and hold on to the top of people and do all this stuff.”

Read more: Nate Diaz Describes How Fighting Jake Paul at 185 Is Making Him “Lazy and Tired”

This set the stage for one of the most anticipated fights at UFC 244. Despite a valiant effort, Diaz fell to Masvidal due to a third-round TKO via doctor’s stoppage. Four years later, Diaz is heading to another big fight, one that could have huge implications for his career.

What Lies Ahead for Nate Diaz?

As the fight with Jake Paul is on the horizon. Diaz’s future is full of possibilities. If he stood victorious, He could continue to dictate the narrative in the fighting world and make even bigger fights happen. The prospect of him taking on more challenges in the future, both in boxing and MMA, has fans excited for what’s to come.

Nate Diaz’s journey in the fighting world has been nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days to his triumphant return, he has shown that he is not only a fierce competitor but also a savvy promoter.

As he gears up to face Jake Paul, Diaz’s fearless pursuit of worthy adversaries sets him apart from the rest. Whether he wins or loses, there’s no doubt that Diaz will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the fight game. So, the question remains: who will be the next to step up and take on The Ultimate Fighter? Only time will tell.

Watch this story: “Crazy”: Fans in Frenzy as DAZN and ESPN Join Hands for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz