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, after 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 a total of 16. In 2012, he challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship.
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, marking his first competitive experience.
2006: WEC Lightweight Championship Fight
In 2006, Nate Diaz fought for the WEC Lightweight Championship against Hermes França at WEC 24, losing by submission in the second round.
January 23, 2008: $40,000 Submission of the Night Award
On January 23, 2008, Nate Diaz faced Alvin Robinson at UFC Fight Night 12, earning a $40,000 Submission of the Night award.
January 11, 2010: Loss to Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 20
On January 11, 2010, Nate Diaz faced Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 20, losing 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, winning by TKO in the first round.
August 28, 2010: Victory Over Marcus Davis at UFC 118
On August 28, 2010, at UFC 118, Nate Diaz finished Marcus Davis with a guillotine choke submission, earning Fight of the Night honors.
January 1, 2011: Loss to Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 125
On January 1, 2011, Nate Diaz lost to Dong Hyun Kim via unanimous decision at UFC 125.
April 30, 2011: Loss to Rory MacDonald at UFC 129
On April 30, 2011, Nate Diaz fought Rory MacDonald at UFC 129 and lost via unanimous decision, after which he announced his return to the lightweight division.
September 24, 2011: Defeats Takanori Gomi
On September 24, 2011, Nate Diaz defeated Takanori Gomi at UFC 135 via armbar submission, earning a $75,000 Submission of the Night award.
May 5, 2012: Defeats Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3
On May 5, 2012, Nate Diaz defeated Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3, earning a Submission of the Night bonus valued at $65,000.
December 8, 2012: UFC Lightweight Championship Fight Against 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.
2012: UFC Lightweight Championship Challenge
In 2012, Nate Diaz challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship.
April 20, 2013: Loss to Josh Thomson at UFC on Fox 7
On April 20, 2013, Nate Diaz lost to Josh Thomson via TKO at UFC on Fox 7.
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 at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale, earning a 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 due to inactivity.
December 13, 2014: Loss to Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 13
On December 13, 2014, Nate Diaz lost to Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 13 via unanimous decision after missing weight.
July 11, 2015: Welterweight Bout with Matt Brown Scrapped
On July 11, 2015, Nate Diaz was briefly linked to a welterweight bout with Matt Brown at UFC 189, but the pairing was scrapped in mid-April.
December 19, 2015: Victory Over Michael Johnson at UFC on Fox 17
On December 19, 2015, Nate Diaz defeated Michael Johnson at UFC on Fox 17 and called out Conor McGregor in a post-fight interview, both earning $50,000 Fight of the Night honors.
March 5, 2016: Victory Over Conor McGregor at UFC 196
On March 5, 2016, Nate Diaz replaced Rafael dos Anjos and defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 196 via submission, earning Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses.
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: Return Bout Against Dustin Poirier 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 Pulls Out Due to Injury
On October 9, 2018, it was announced that Dustin Poirier pulled out of the bout against Nate Diaz due to injury, resulting in the cancellation of the fight.
November 2, 2019: BMF Title Fight
On November 2, 2019, Nate Diaz faced Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 for the "baddest motherfucker" (BMF) belt, losing via TKO due to a doctor's stoppage.
May 15, 2021: Diaz vs. Edwards Bout Moved
On May 15, 2021, Diaz was expected to face Leon Edwards at UFC 262. However, the bout was moved to UFC 263 due to a minor injury sustained by Diaz and eventually took place for five rounds as well.
September 10, 2022: Victory Over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279
On September 10, 2022, Nate Diaz defeated Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 via a guillotine choke submission in the fourth round, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus award.
September 2022: Starts Combat Sports Promotion Company
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
In December 2022, Nate Diaz was presented with a key to the city by the mayor during a Stockton Kings basketball game.
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 Debut
On August 5, 2023, Nate Diaz fought Jake Paul in his professional boxing debut and was defeated via unanimous decision.
March 13, 2024: Diaz vs. Masvidal Boxing Bout Announced
On March 13, 2024, it was announced that Nate Diaz would face Jorge Masvidal in a 10-round light heavyweight boxing bout on June 1, 2024.
May 7, 2024: Diaz vs. Masvidal 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 of July 6, 2024, was confirmed for the fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal.
June 1, 2024: Original Date for Diaz vs. Masvidal
On June 1, 2024, Nate Diaz was originally scheduled to face Jorge Masvidal in Los Angeles
July 6, 2024: Victory Over Jorge Masvidal
On July 6, 2024, Nate Diaz won the bout against Jorge Masvidal by majority decision.
