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, an American mixed martial artist and professional boxer currently a free agent, is renowned for his 15+ year tenure in the UFC. A victor of The Ultimate Fighter 5, he also competed in WEC, Strikeforce, and Pancrase before joining the UFC. Diaz holds the third-highest number of UFC bonus awards (16) and challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2012, solidifying his status as a notable figure in mixed martial arts.

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. This is believed to be Diaz's first competitive experience.

2006: WEC Lightweight Championship Fight

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

January 11, 2010: UFC Fight Night 20 Main Event vs. Gray Maynard

On January 11, 2010, Nate Diaz faced Gray Maynard in the main event at UFC Fight Night 20. Diaz lost a controversial split decision despite winning rounds two and three according to FightMetric reports.

March 27, 2010: Welterweight Debut at UFC 111

On March 27, 2010, Nate Diaz made his Welterweight debut at UFC 111 against Rory Markham. Markham missed weight, resulting in a catchweight fight. Diaz won the fight by TKO in the first round.

August 28, 2010: UFC 118 Fight vs. Marcus Davis

On August 28, 2010, Nate Diaz fought Marcus Davis at UFC 118, finishing him with a guillotine choke submission in the final round. The bout earned them $60,000 Fight of the Night honors.

January 1, 2011: UFC 125 Fight vs. Dong Hyun Kim

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

April 30, 2011: UFC 129 Fight vs. Rory MacDonald

On April 30, 2011, Nate Diaz fought Rory MacDonald at UFC 129 and lost via unanimous decision. After the loss, Diaz announced his move back to the lightweight division.

September 24, 2011: UFC 135 Fight vs. Takanori Gomi

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

May 5, 2012: UFC on Fox 3 Fight vs. Jim Miller

On May 5, 2012, Nate Diaz fought Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3, winning by rolling guillotine choke in the second round. He earned his fifth Submission of the Night bonus award valued at $65,000. It was the first time Jim Miller had been stopped in his MMA career.

December 8, 2012: UFC Lightweight Championship Fight vs. Benson Henderson

On December 8, 2012, Nate Diaz faced Benson Henderson at UFC on Fox 5 for the UFC Lightweight Championship and lost via unanimous decision. Three weeks prior, Diaz signed an eight-fight contract with UFC.

2012: UFC Lightweight Championship Challenge

In 2012, Nate Diaz challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

April 20, 2013: UFC on Fox 7 Fight vs. Josh Thomson

On April 20, 2013, Nate Diaz fought Josh Thomson at UFC on Fox 7 and lost via TKO. During the fight, Nate's brother, Nick Diaz, threw a towel into the octagon.

November 30, 2013: The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale Fight vs. Gray Maynard

On November 30, 2013, Nate Diaz fought Gray Maynard at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale, winning via TKO in the first round and 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: UFC on Fox 13 Fight vs. Rafael Dos Anjos

On December 13, 2014, Nate Diaz faced Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 13. Diaz missed weight and lost the fight via unanimous decision, also being fined 20 percent of his purse.

July 11, 2015: Welterweight Bout with Matt Brown Scrapped

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

December 19, 2015: UFC on Fox 17 Fight vs. Michael Johnson

On December 19, 2015, Nate Diaz faced Michael Johnson at UFC on Fox 17, winning via unanimous decision. He then gave a memorable post-fight interview calling out Conor McGregor. Both fighters earned $50,000 Fight of the Night honors.

March 5, 2016: UFC 196 Fight vs. Conor McGregor

On March 5, 2016, Nate Diaz replaced Rafael dos Anjos to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 196 at welterweight. Diaz won via submission in the second round. He earned Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses totaling $100,000.

July 9, 2016: McGregor Rematch Scheduled for UFC 200

A rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor was initially scheduled for July 9, 2016, at UFC 200, but McGregor was pulled from the event due to media obligations.

August 3, 2018: Diaz Return Announced vs Dustin Poirier

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

October 9, 2018: Poirier Fight Canceled Due to Injury

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

November 2, 2019: UFC 244 Fight vs. Jorge Masvidal

On November 2, 2019, Nate Diaz faced Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC 244 for the 'BMF' belt. Diaz lost the fight via TKO due to a doctor's stoppage between rounds three and four because of a cut over his right eye.

May 15, 2021: Diaz vs Edwards Moved to UFC 263

Nate Diaz was initially expected to face Leon Edwards on May 15, 2021, at UFC 262, but the bout was moved to UFC 263 due to a minor injury sustained by Diaz.

September 10, 2022: UFC 279 Fight vs Tony Ferguson

On September 10, 2022, Nate Diaz faced Tony Ferguson at UFC 279, winning the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the fourth round. This win earned Diaz his second Performance of the Night bonus award and marked the end of his UFC contract, making him a free agent.

September 2022: Real Fight Inc. Launch

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

April 12, 2023: Announcement of Professional Boxing Debut

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

August 5, 2023: Boxing Debut vs. 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: Announcement of Fight 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.