Home/Boxing

via Imago

via Imago

A UFC fighter standing up for his arch-rival? Not a very common sight. But this is indeed the case when it comes to Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz. The pair have had one of the most unforgettable rivalries of all time. Yet, despite all the trash talk, controversies, and constant back-and-forths, Diaz and McGregor have always showcased the utmost respect for each other.

Recently, the Stockton native made a similar gesture that surprised all his fans. His next opponent, Jake Paul has been leaving no stone unturned to call out Diaz’s former opponent Conor McGregor. Apparently, Paul wants to fight McGregor and has been constantly taking shots at the Irishman. But just when fans thought ‘The Problem Child’ would get away with his bold words, entered Nate Diaz!

Nate Diaz defends Conor McGregor and calls out Jake Paul

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

As reported by NY Post, Paul had recently made some controversial statements in a now-deleted Instagram video about the Irishman’s pregnant fiancee. In response, Nate Diaz called out Paul for being disrespectful in his recent podcast appearance, criticizing him for crossing the line. According to him, it is a matter that goes beyond the realm of the fight game.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MMA | UFC (@xcellentmma)

“And then he was talking sh*t to Conor and dissing his wife and sh*t. That’s some disrespectful stuff that he shouldn’t be saying. And nobody is saying sh*t. I am the one who said ‘f**king shut up, b*tch!’”

Moreover, he firmly believed that such derogatory remarks warrant a real physical confrontation, not just a staged fight. “Have some respect. You are gonna disrespect someone’s wife and stuff like that, who will actually whoop your a**, to get a fight? That surpasses the fight game. That’s a real fight and you should shut the f**k up. And no one is saying anything, because everybody is acting like, the whole roster of the UFC…”

Read More – After Jake Paul Called Nate Diaz a “Bi**h”, Ex-UFC Star Finds MMA Legend’s Support Recalling Earlier Incident Against Conor McGregor

Also, Diaz pointed out the lack of reaction from others in the UFC roster, highlighting the apparent silence in the face of Paul’s offensive behavior.

Nate Diaz confident in Conor McGregor’s abilities!

In the same podcast, Diaz also displayed optimism while talking about McGregor’s return to the octagon. He expressed his desire to witness Conor McGregor demonstrate his fighting prowess, asserting his belief that the Irishman would triumph over anyone who challenges him. Further, he even hinted at a possible trilogy fight between him and ‘The Notorious’.

via Getty

“I wanna see him go whoop some f**king a**. I know he will beat up all these m*therf**kers who think they are tight. At some point, our time will come,” said the Stockton legend. This mutual show of respect goes both ways as McGregor is rooting for Diaz to dispose of Paul.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

If the above statement has left you wondering how exactly Diaz and  McGregor will meet in the future, Diaz explicitly stated that he will return to fight in the UFC soon.

Incidentally, Nate Diaz and Jake Paul are scheduled to go up against one another in a boxing contest on August 5 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The fight will be contested at 185 pounds over eight rounds with 10-ounce gloves. Could there be more to these statements of  Diaz than mere support for a fellow MMA fighter?

The hype could be attributed to the fact that Diaz will be promoting himself for the first time he will be fighting outside the UFC. The other half will be sponsored by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In October 2022, a 20-man backstage brawl in Arizona unraveled between Diaz and Paul’s teams during a boxing event headlined by Paul and UFC legend Anderson Silva. Paul defeated Silva and later challenged Diaz in the post-fight interview. In other words, this could be an attempt by Diaz to add to the existing bad blood between himself and Paul, don’t you think?

Watch This Story – Conor McGregor Meets Wonderboy At TUF Training