Nate Diaz and Islam Makhachev recently grabbed headlines after clashing backstage following the UFC 311 press conference. The tense encounter which saw bottles being flung on both sides almost sparked a potential riot, but security quickly intervened to regain control. Thankfully, no one suffered serious injuries. Diaz’s involvement, considering he hasn’t been tied to Dana White’s organization since parting ways in late 2022 has been the talk of the town.

Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov share a history filled with animosity, marked by several close calls to full-blown altercations during their iconic careers. This time around, Diaz decided to stir the pot by targeting Islam Makhachev, hurling a water bottle in his direction. However, Makhachev’s long-time coach warned the former UFC star of what could happen next.

Coach Mendez feels Nate Diaz might end up in trouble if he keeps doing such things

Footage captured by ESPN MMA shows Nate Diaz and Islam Makhachev exchanging words from a distance, with Diaz eventually challenging Makhachev to “pull up.” Moments later, Diaz hurled a water bottle at Makhachev and his team, sparking chaos that was quickly contained by security. Makhachev was in Las Vegas to promote UFC 311, where he is set to defend his title for the fourth time in a headliner rematch against Arman Tsarukyan. This marks his return to the cage following a submission victory over Dustin Poirier earlier this year at UFC 302.

Neither Islam Makhachev nor Nate Diaz commented on the incident through their respective social media channels. For now, the situation seems to have settled, but it’s unclear how long the peace will hold. In 2015, Nate Diaz slapped Khabib Nurmagomedov during a heated encounter, igniting a rivalry that has fueled tensions with one of MMA’s most accomplished teams for years. If the former UFC fighter continues to do things like this he might be in a lot of trouble, feels coach Mendez.

Coach Mendez, on his YouTube channel, analyzed the entire incident.

While speaking to Len he said, “Nate Diaz, to me, is the same thing. You know he does his thing. He does [this] gangster-type stuff. He’s had beef with team Khabib for many years. I don’t know if that beef will be ever settled.” However, he also pointed out that his team will never back away from such type of altercations in the future as well. Mendez further added, “I don’t think anything of it, you know, but my Dagestanis, they won’t start it. But they definitely will swarm in on him, all of them. They are all that way. They’re a band of brothers; you attack one, you attack them all, and they don’t – they’re not going to take kindly to anything like that”.

Earlier this year, Nate Diaz earned his first professional boxing victory by defeating former BMF rival

Jorge Masvidal. After exiting the UFC following his win at UFC 279, Diaz has hinted at a possible return to the Octagon but seems more likely to continue his boxing journey. MMA analysts Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen also expressed their surprise at Nate Diaz’s presence at a UFC event.

Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen are confused about Diaz’s altercation with Islam Makhachev

On their “Good Guy/Bad Guy” show, Daniel Cormier expressed his confusion, saying, “Nate Diaz doesn’t even fight in the UFC anymore. What’s happening here?” Chael Sonnen shared his perspective on the altercation between the Stockton native and the Dagestani, admitting he was surprised to see Diaz accompanying Kron Gracie at the weigh-ins. ‘The American Gangster’, was puzzled by the situation, pointing out that if Diaz’s actions were an attempt to secure a fight with Makhachev, it wouldn’t make sense. Sonnen explained that the significant difference in their weight classes makes such a matchup unlikely.

“I don’t know what their beef is but they do wanna fight each other, which is a little bit of a problem in one regard – Islam’s a 155-pounder and Nate is no longer a 155-pounder,” said Sonnen. Daniel Cormier had a different concern about the situation. Noting that both Nate Diaz and Islam Makhachev are often accompanied by their teams and entourages in public, Cormier feared the confrontation could have escalated quickly, “I worry, right? About people”,  he said.

Cormier further added, “Nate usually has an entourage. Islam usually has an entourage. That’s the only thing that concerns me,”. This is not the first time Nate Diaz has been involved in any kind of altercation. But it seems he might have taken things a bit far this time around. Do you think he should have started the altercation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.