Fans will be hard-pressed to find another pair of siblings who have made their mark in the UFC as much as Nick and Nate Diaz! Known for their all-action fights and no-frills personalities, the two have had stellar careers in the world of MMA. Nick Diaz held titles in Strikeforce, WEC, and IFC, while his younger brother Nate made a name for himself by winning ‘The Ultimate Fighter 5’ tournament and his storied feud with Irish MMA icon, Conor McGregor.

Nate Diaz, currently a free agent, is set to fight Jorge Masvidal in a boxing match on July 6. Meanwhile, Nick returned to the Octagon at UFC 266, facing Robbie Lawler after a hiatus since 2015, but was stopped by in the third round. Now, the OG ‘Stockton Slapper’ is preparing to take on Vicente Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3. As the Diaz brothers prepare to return to action, let’s dive into their origin, ethnicity, and more!

Where are the Diaz brothers from? Ethnicity and nationality

Nick and Nate Diaz were born in Stockton, California, just two years apart—Nick in 1983 and Nate in 1985. But did you know they also have a sister? Their darling sister Nina, prefers to keep her life private and away from the spotlight that comes with her famous siblings.

The two brothers are of Mexican and Anglo heritage (their father was of Hispanic origins). Not much is known about the Diaz brothers’ father, Robert Diaz as reports available online have indicated that he wasn’t around a lot when the pair were growing up. As such, they were primarily raised by their mother, Melissa.

Both Nick and Nate began training in martial arts at a young age and in previous interviews, they’ve stated that their father’s love for martial arts led them to pursue their interest in the same.  Nick was the first one to make his way into professional MMA in 2001, shortly after his 18th birthday and soon after, the younger Diaz followed in his brother’s footsteps.

In a fascinating story told to ESPN, Nate Diaz revealed that growing up in Stockton, discovering jiu-jitsu led to him finding confidence in himself and gave him a direction in life. He revealed, “When I found jiu-jitsu, I knew at that time that a blue belt could take out anybody in the world, I was saying, ‘Dude, I’ll choke out anybody.” Their journey from the streets of Stockton to the global stage of the UFC is a testament to their determination and passion that has made them icons for a legion of fans!

All we know about Nick and Nate Diaz’s parents

Nick and Nate Diaz were born to Melissa Diaz (nee Womble) and Robert Diaz. Not much is known about their early life except it was filled with hardships due to the financial status of their family. Some reports online indicate that their father, Robert used to stay away from their family for prolonged periods, leaving their mother shouldering the responsibility of supporting the family by herself.

Melissa Diaz primarily worked as a waitress and even took on multiple jobs to help sustain the family but it was her son’s MMA success that helped to lift the family out of their troubled life and into a better situation. Surprisingly, in his interview with ESPN ahead of his UFC 202 clash against Conor McGregor, Nate revealed, “I don’t ask my mom to watch fights — or my girlfriend, my friends, nobody. If anybody wants to watch, they can watch but don’t get offended when I get ugly. This is not an attractive sport.”

Now, with their legacies as legends of the sport cemented and their troubled past firmly in the rearview mirror, the Diaz brothers’ rise to prominence, grounded in their roots and driven by their determination, continues to inspire and captivate fans worldwide!