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 widely recognized for his long tenure in the UFC, spanning over 15 years, after winning The Ultimate Fighter 5. Before joining the UFC, Diaz competed in other organizations such as World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and Pancrase. He holds the third-highest number of UFC bonus awards, totaling 16. In 2012, Diaz competed for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

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 competed in a bare-knuckle MMA fight against Robert Limon.

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 23, 2008: UFC Fight Night 12 Win

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: UFC Fight Night 20 Loss to Gray Maynard

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

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 after Markham missed weight.

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

On August 28, 2010, at UFC 118, Nate Diaz defeated Marcus Davis via 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 faced Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 125 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

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 move back to the lightweight division.

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

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: Victory Over Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3

On May 5, 2012, Nate Diaz defeated Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3 via a rolling guillotine choke, earning his fifth Submission of the Night bonus award worth $65,000.

December 8, 2012: UFC Lightweight Championship Fight Against Benson Henderson

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

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 at UFC on Fox 7 via TKO, with his brother Nick Diaz attempting 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, Nate Diaz returned from hiatus to face Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 13, missing weight and losing via unanimous decision.

July 11, 2015: Welterweight Bout with Matt Brown Scrapped

Nate Diaz was briefly linked to a welterweight bout with Matt Brown for July 11, 2015, at UFC 189, however 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 via unanimous decision, followed by an infamous post-fight interview calling out Conor McGregor, earning Fight of the Night honors.

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

On March 5, 2016, Nate Diaz replaced an injured Rafael dos Anjos and defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 196 via submission in the second round, earning Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses.

July 9, 2016: McGregor Rematch Scheduled for UFC 200

On July 9, 2016, Nate Diaz was originally scheduled for a rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 200, however, McGregor was pulled from the event after failing to fulfill media obligations.

August 3, 2018: Return Fight 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 at UFC 230.

October 9, 2018: Poirier Fight Canceled Due to Injury

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

November 2, 2019: Loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244

On November 2, 2019, Nate Diaz faced Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 for the 'BMF' belt, losing via TKO due to a doctor's stoppage.

May 15, 2021: Diaz vs Edwards at UFC 262 (later moved)

On May 15, 2021, Nate Diaz was expected to face Leon Edwards at UFC 262, marking the first time a non-main event and non-title bout had been scheduled for 5 rounds, but the bout was moved to UFC 263 due to a minor injury sustained by Diaz.

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 his second Performance of the Night bonus award after his original opponent Khamzat Chimaev missed weight; this marked the end of Diaz's UFC contract and him 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

In December 2022, Nate Diaz was presented with a key to the city by the mayor of Stockton during a Stockton Kings basketball game, recognizing his contributions to the city.

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 Loss to Jake Paul

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

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.

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: Diaz vs. Masvidal Fight Confirmed

On May 13, 2024, the new event date was confirmed for July 6, 2024, for the fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal.

June 1, 2024: Diaz vs. Masvidal Match Date

Nate Diaz was set to face Jorge Masvidal on June 1, 2024, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California in a 10-round bout at light heavyweight, as had been announced on March 13, 2024.