Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nate Diaz

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

Nathan Donald Diaz is an American mixed martial artist and professional boxer, currently a free agent, best known for his 15+ year tenure in the UFC after winning The Ultimate Fighter 5. Before the UFC, he competed in World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and Pancrase. Diaz holds the third-highest number of UFC bonus awards with 16. In 2012, he challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

July 20, 2002: Bare Knuckle MMA Fight

On July 20, 2002, at the age of 17, Nate Diaz competed in a bare-knuckle MMA fight against Robert Limon. This is believed to be his first competitive experience in fighting.

2006: WEC Lightweight Championship Fight

In 2006, Nate Diaz fought Hermes França for the WEC Lightweight Championship at WEC 24. Diaz lost the fight by submission in the second round.

January 23, 2008: UFC Fight Night 12 Win

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

January 11, 2010: UFC Fight Night 20 Loss

On January 11, 2010, Nate Diaz faced Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 20. Diaz lost the fight by a controversial split decision.

March 27, 2010: Welterweight Debut at UFC 111

On March 27, 2010, Nate Diaz made his Welterweight debut at UFC 111 against Rory Markham. Diaz won the fight by TKO in the first round after the fight was changed to a catchweight fight when Markham weighed in heavy.

August 28, 2010: UFC 118 Win Against Marcus Davis

On August 28, 2010, at UFC 118, Nate Diaz fought Marcus Davis and won by guillotine choke submission. The bout earned them $60,000 Fight of the Night honors.

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

On January 1, 2011, at UFC 125, Nate Diaz faced Dong Hyun Kim, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

April 30, 2011: UFC 129 Loss to Rory MacDonald

On April 30, 2011, at UFC 129, Nate Diaz fought Rory MacDonald, losing via unanimous decision. Following the loss, Diaz announced he would move back down to the lightweight division.

September 24, 2011: UFC 135 Win Against Takanori Gomi

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

May 5, 2012: UFC on Fox 3 Win Against Jim Miller

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

December 8, 2012: UFC Lightweight Championship Fight Loss

On December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5, Nate Diaz faced Benson Henderson for the UFC Lightweight Championship. Diaz lost the bout via unanimous decision. Three weeks prior to the fight, Diaz signed 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 career.

April 20, 2013: UFC on Fox 7 Loss

On April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7, Nate Diaz lost to Josh Thomson via TKO due to a head kick and punches. Nick Diaz threw a towel into the octagon to stop the fight.

November 30, 2013: The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale Win

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

May 5, 2014: Removed From UFC Lightweight Rankings

On May 5, 2014, Nate Diaz and T. J. Grant were removed from the UFC's lightweight rankings after being deemed inactive by the UFC.

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

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

July 11, 2015: Welterweight Bout Scrapped

On July 11, 2015, Nate Diaz was briefly linked to a welterweight bout with Matt Brown at UFC 189. However, the pairing was scrapped in mid-April.

December 19, 2015: UFC on Fox 17 Win and McGregor Callout

On December 19, 2015, Nate Diaz returned to face Michael Johnson at UFC on Fox 17, winning via unanimous decision. After the fight, Diaz gave an infamous post-fight interview calling out Conor McGregor. Both fighters were awarded $50,000 Fight of the Night honors.

March 5, 2016: UFC 196 Win Against Conor McGregor

On March 5, 2016, Nate Diaz replaced an injured Rafael dos Anjos to face Conor McGregor at UFC 196. Diaz won the fight via submission in the second round and was awarded Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses totalling $100,000.

July 9, 2016: McGregor Rematch Scheduled and Canceled

On July 9, 2016, Nate Diaz was originally scheduled to have a rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 200. However, the fight was canceled after McGregor failed to fulfill media obligations. The fight was later rescheduled.

August 3, 2018: Return Fight Announced

On August 3, 2018, it was announced that Nate Diaz was expected to return on November 3 against Dustin Poirier in a lightweight bout.

October 9, 2018: Poirier Fight Canceled

On October 9, 2018, it was announced that Dustin Poirier pulled out of his fight with Nate Diaz due to injury, resulting in the bout's cancellation.

November 2, 2019: "BMF" Belt Fight

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

May 15, 2021: Fight Scheduled With Leon Edwards

On May 15, 2021, Nate Diaz was expected to face Leon Edwards at UFC 262; the bout was later moved to UFC 263 due to injury and was contested for five rounds as well.

September 10, 2022: UFC 279 Win Against Tony Ferguson

On September 10, 2022, at UFC 279, Nate Diaz faced Tony Ferguson, winning via guillotine choke submission in the fourth round, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus. Diaz became a free agent after opting not to re-sign with the UFC.

September 2022: Real Fight Inc. Announcement

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

April 12, 2023: Professional Boxing Debut Announcement

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

August 5, 2023: Boxing Debut Against Jake Paul

On August 5, 2023, Nate Diaz made his professional boxing debut against Jake Paul at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Paul defeated Diaz via unanimous decision.

March 13, 2024: Fight Announced Against Jorge Masvidal

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.

May 7, 2024: Fight Rescheduled

On May 7, 2024, it was reported that the fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal was rescheduled for July 6, 2024 at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

May 13, 2024: New event date confirmed

On May 13, 2024, the new event date was confirmed for July 6, 2024.

June 1, 2024: Original Fight Date With Masvidal

On June 1, 2024, Nate Diaz was originally scheduled to fight Jorge Masvidal at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California in a 10-round bout at light heavyweight.

July 6, 2024: Fight Confirmed

On July 6, 2024, the new event date for the fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA was confirmed.

March 16, 2026: Return to MMA Announced

On March 16, 2026, it was announced that Nate Diaz would return to MMA after a four-year hiatus, under Most Valuable Promotions, against Mike Perry on May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

May 16, 2026: MMA fight

On May 16, 2026, Nate Diaz would return to MMA after a four-year hiatus, under Most Valuable Promotions, against Mike Perry at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.