Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nate Diaz

Discover the career path of Nate Diaz, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Nate Diaz is an American mixed martial artist and professional boxer, currently a free agent. He is best known for his 15-year career in the UFC, winning The Ultimate Fighter 5. Before the UFC, he competed in World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and Pancrase. Diaz holds the third-most UFC bonus awards with 16 and challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2012.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

July 20, 2002: Bare Knuckle MMA Fight Against Robert Limon

On July 20, 2002, at the age of 17, Nate Diaz participated in a bare-knuckle MMA fight against Robert Limon, marking his first competitive experience in fighting.

2006: WEC Lightweight Championship Fight

In 2006, Nate Diaz competed for the WEC Lightweight Championship at WEC 24 against Hermes França, losing by submission in the second round. This event was the last one held by WEC before its acquisition by Zuffa, LLC.

January 23, 2008: UFC Fight Night 12 Win

On January 23, 2008, Nate Diaz faced Alvin Robinson at UFC Fight Night 12 and won, earning a $40,000 Submission of the Night award.

January 11, 2010: UFC Fight Night 20 Loss to Gray Maynard

On January 11, 2010, Nate Diaz faced Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 20, losing by a controversial split decision despite FightMetric reports indicating Diaz won rounds two and three.

March 27, 2010: Welterweight Debut at UFC 111

On March 27, 2010, Nate Diaz made his Welterweight debut at UFC 111 against Rory Markham, winning the fight by TKO in the first round after a catchweight adjustment due to Markham's weight.

August 28, 2010: Victory Over Marcus Davis at UFC 118

On August 28, 2010, at UFC 118, Nate Diaz defeated Marcus Davis by guillotine choke submission in the final round, earning Fight of the Night honors and a $60,000 bonus.

January 1, 2011: Loss to Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 125

On January 1, 2011, at UFC 125, Nate Diaz fought Dong Hyun Kim and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

April 30, 2011: Loss to Rory MacDonald at UFC 129

On April 30, 2011, at UFC 129, Nate Diaz fought Rory MacDonald and lost via unanimous decision, leading Diaz to announce his return to the lightweight division.

September 24, 2011: Victory Over Takanori Gomi at UFC 135

On September 24, 2011, at UFC 135, Nate Diaz defeated Takanori Gomi via armbar submission in the first round, earning a $75,000 Submission of the Night award.

May 5, 2012: Victory Over Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3

On May 5, 2012, at UFC on Fox 3, Nate Diaz defeated Jim Miller via rolling guillotine choke, earning a $65,000 Submission of the Night bonus and marking the first time Miller had been stopped in his MMA career.

December 8, 2012: UFC Lightweight Championship Loss to Benson Henderson

On December 8, 2012, Nate Diaz faced Benson Henderson at UFC on Fox 5 for the UFC Lightweight Championship, losing via unanimous decision, three weeks after signing an eight-fight contract with UFC.

2012: UFC Lightweight Championship Challenge

In 2012, Nate Diaz challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship, marking a significant milestone in his UFC career.

April 20, 2013: Loss to Josh Thomson at UFC on Fox 7

On April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7, Nate Diaz lost to Josh Thomson via TKO, during which his brother Nick Diaz threw a towel into the octagon in an attempt to stop the fight.

November 30, 2013: Victory Over Gray Maynard at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale

On November 30, 2013, Nate Diaz won against Gray Maynard via TKO in the first round at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale, earning his first Knockout of the Night bonus.

May 5, 2014: Removal from UFC Lightweight Rankings

On May 5, 2014, Nate Diaz and T. J. Grant were removed from the UFC's lightweight rankings due to inactivity.

December 13, 2014: Loss to Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 13

On December 13, 2014, at UFC on Fox 13, Nate Diaz lost to Rafael Dos Anjos via unanimous decision after missing weight and being fined 20 percent of his purse.

July 11, 2015: Welterweight Bout with Matt Brown Scrapped

On July 11, 2015, a welterweight bout between Nate Diaz and Matt Brown at UFC 189 was initially planned but later scrapped in mid-April.

December 19, 2015: Victory Over Michael Johnson at UFC on Fox 17

On December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox 17, Nate Diaz defeated Michael Johnson via unanimous decision and delivered an infamous post-fight interview, calling out Conor McGregor. Both participants earned $50,000 Fight of the Night honors.

March 5, 2016: Victory Over Conor McGregor at UFC 196

On March 5, 2016, Nate Diaz, as a replacement for an injured Rafael dos Anjos, defeated Conor McGregor via submission at UFC 196. Diaz was awarded Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses totalling $100,000.

July 9, 2016: McGregor Pulled from UFC 200

On July 9, 2016, a rematch with McGregor was scheduled for UFC 200. However, on April 19, the UFC announced that McGregor had been pulled from the event after failing to fulfill media obligations.

August 3, 2018: Diaz Return Announced for UFC 230

On August 3, 2018, it was announced that Nate Diaz was expected to return to face Dustin Poirier on November 3 at UFC 230.

October 9, 2018: Poirier Fight at UFC 230 Canceled

On October 9, 2018, it was announced that Dustin Poirier pulled out of his fight with Nate Diaz due to injury, leading to the cancellation of their bout at UFC 230.

November 2, 2019: Loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 for "BMF" Belt

On November 2, 2019, Nate Diaz faced Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 for the "baddest motherfucker" (BMF) belt, losing via TKO between rounds three and four due to a doctor's stoppage from a cut over Diaz's right eye.

May 15, 2021: Diaz vs Edwards Bout Scheduled at UFC 262

On May 15, 2021, Nate Diaz was expected to face Leon Edwards at UFC 262. Due to injury it was postponed.

September 10, 2022: Victory Over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279

On September 10, 2022, Nate Diaz defeated Tony Ferguson via guillotine choke submission at UFC 279, earning a Performance of the Night bonus in his last fight of his UFC contract before becoming a free agent.

September 2022: Announcement of Real Fight Inc.

In September 2022, Nate Diaz announced the news that he was starting his own combat sports promotion company, Real Fight Inc.

December 2022: Key to the City of Stockton Presentation

In December 2022, Nate Diaz was presented with a key to the city by the mayor during a Stockton Kings basketball game for bringing attention to the city of Stockton.

April 12, 2023: Boxing Debut Announced Against Jake Paul

On April 12, 2023, it was announced that Nate Diaz would make his professional boxing debut against Jake Paul.

August 5, 2023: Boxing Match Against Jake Paul

On August 5, 2023, Nate Diaz fought Jake Paul at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas and lost via unanimous decision.

March 13, 2024: Diaz vs Masvidal Announced

On March 13, 2024, it was announced that Nate Diaz would face Jorge Masvidal on June 1, 2024, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California in a 10-round bout at light heavyweight.