"Nathan Donald Diaz is a well-known American mixed martial artist and professional boxer, currently a free agent. He is best known for his 15-year career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which he joined after winning The Ultimate Fighter 5. Before joining the UFC, Diaz fought in organizations like World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and Pancrase. He holds the record for the third most UFC bonus awards, with a total of 16."
April 16, 1985: Birth of Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz was born on April 16, 1985
July 20, 2002: First Bare Knuckle MMA Fight
At 17 years old, Nate Diaz participated in his first competitive fight, a bare knuckle MMA match against Robert Limon on July 20, 2002.
2006: Fight for the WEC Lightweight Championship
Nate Diaz challenged Hermes França for the WEC Lightweight Championship at WEC 24 in 2006. Diaz lost the fight by submission in the second round.
January 11, 2010: Rematch against Gray Maynard
Nate Diaz had a rematch against Gray Maynard, whom he previously defeated in The Ultimate Fighter 5, at UFC Fight Night 20 on January 11, 2010. Diaz lost by split decision in a controversial match where some believed he won.
March 27, 2010: Welterweight Debut against Rory Markham
Nate Diaz made his welterweight debut against Rory Markham at UFC 111 on March 27, 2010. Despite a weight difference, Diaz won the fight by TKO in the first round.
August 28, 2010: Victory over Marcus Davis
Nate Diaz fought former professional boxer Marcus Davis on August 28, 2010, at UFC 118. Diaz won in the third round using a guillotine choke submission and earned the Fight of the Night bonus.
January 1, 2011: Loss to Dong Hyun Kim
Nate Diaz lost to South Korean fighter Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 125 on January 1, 2011, by unanimous decision.
April 30, 2011: Decision Loss against Rory MacDonald
Nate Diaz fought Rory MacDonald at UFC 129 on April 30, 2011, and lost by unanimous decision, prompting him to return to the lightweight division.
September 24, 2011: Submission Victory over Takanori Gomi
Nate Diaz defeated former PRIDE Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi on September 24, 2011, at UFC 135. Diaz won in the first round with an armbar submission, which earned him the Submission of the Night bonus.
May 5, 2012: Victory over Jim Miller
Nate Diaz faced Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3 on May 5, 2012. Diaz won in the second round using a guillotine choke, earning his fifth Submission of the Night bonus. This fight marked the first time Miller was stopped in his MMA career.
December 8, 2012: UFC Lightweight Championship Match against Benson Henderson
Nate Diaz challenged Benson Henderson for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC on Fox 5 on December 8, 2012, and lost by unanimous decision.
April 20, 2013: Loss to Josh Thomson
Nate Diaz lost to former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7 by TKO. Nick Diaz, Nate's brother, threw a towel into the octagon during the fight in an attempt to stop the match.
May 16, 2013: Suspension for Homophobic Slur
Nate Diaz was suspended for 90 days and fined $20,000 by the UFC on May 16, 2013, for using a homophobic slur on his Twitter account, which violated the UFC's code of conduct.
November 30, 2013: Victory in Rubber Match with Gray Maynard
Nate Diaz had a rubber match with Gray Maynard on November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale, winning by TKO in the first round and earning his first Knockout of the Night bonus.
May 5, 2014: Removal from UFC Lightweight Rankings
Nate Diaz was removed from the UFC's lightweight rankings on May 5, 2014, due to inactivity.
December 13, 2014: Loss to Rafael dos Anjos
After a year away, Nate Diaz returned to face Rafael dos Anjos on December 13, 2014, at UFC on Fox 13. Diaz missed weight and was fined 20% of his purse. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
July 11, 2015: Canceled Bout with Matt Brown
A scheduled welterweight bout between Nate Diaz and Matt Brown for UFC 189 on July 11, 2015, was canceled.
December 19, 2015: Victory Against Michael Johnson, Conor McGregor Callout
Nate Diaz returned to the octagon on December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox 17, where he defeated Michael Johnson by unanimous decision. Diaz then proceeded to call out Conor McGregor in a now-infamous post-fight interview. Both fighters received the Fight of the Night bonus.
March 5, 2016: Victory Against Conor McGregor at Welterweight
Nate Diaz faced Conor McGregor at welterweight on short notice at UFC 196 on March 5, 2016, after Rafael dos Anjos was injured. Diaz won the fight in the second round by submission, earning Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses.
July 9, 2016: McGregor Rematch Canceled
A rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor was scheduled for UFC 200 on July 9, 2016, but was canceled due to McGregor failing to meet media obligations.
June 20, 2018: Birth of Nate Diaz's Daughter
Nate Diaz and his girlfriend welcomed their daughter into the world on June 20, 2018.
August 3, 2018: Planned Return at UFC 230
On August 3, 2018, Nate Diaz was expected to return to the UFC after a two-year layoff to face Dustin Poirier in a lightweight bout at UFC 230 on November 3.
October 9, 2018: Poirier Bout Cancellation
Dustin Poirier pulled out of his fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 230 on October 9, 2018, due to injury, leading to the fight's cancelation.
November 2, 2019: UFC 244: Masvidal vs. Diaz
On November 2, 2019, Nate Diaz fought Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 for the symbolic "Baddest Motherfucker" ("BMF") belt. Despite a strong effort, Diaz lost the fight via TKO due to a cut above his right eye that prevented him from continuing into the fourth round.
May 15, 2021: UFC 263: Edwards vs. Diaz
Originally planned for UFC 262, Nate Diaz faced Leon Edwards in a five-round co-main event at UFC 263 on May 15, 2021. Though Diaz showed resilience, Edwards largely controlled the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory.
August 2022: Nate Diaz endorses BJ Penn for Governor
In August 2022, Nate Diaz showed his support for fellow UFC veteran BJ Penn, who was campaigning for governor of Hawaii.
September 10, 2022: UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson
Nate Diaz's final fight on his UFC contract was initially scheduled against Khamzat Chimaev on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279. However, after Chimaev missed weight, Diaz instead faced Tony Ferguson. Diaz won by guillotine choke submission in the fourth round, earning him the "Performance of the Night" bonus and entering free agency.
September 2022: Nate Diaz launches Real Fight Inc.
Nate Diaz announced the establishment of his own combat sports promotion company, Real Fight Inc., in September 2022.
October 2022: Nate Diaz involved in altercation at Paul vs. Silva event
Nate Diaz was involved in a backstage altercation at the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva boxing match in October 2022, leading to his removal from the event.
December 2022: Nate Diaz Receives Key to the City of Stockton
Nate Diaz was presented with a key to the city of Stockton during a Stockton Kings basketball game in December 2022, recognizing his positive impact on the city.
April 12, 2023: Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz announcement
On April 12, 2023, Nate Diaz's transition to professional boxing was announced, with his debut fight scheduled against Jake Paul.
April 2023: Nate Diaz involved in New Orleans altercation
Nate Diaz was involved in a street fight in New Orleans in April 2023, which resulted in him choking a man unconscious.
September 25, 2023: Charges against Nate Diaz dropped
On September 25, 2023, the Orleans Parish decided not to pursue charges against Nate Diaz regarding the April 2023 altercation, citing evidence that his actions were in self-defense.
March 13, 2024: Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal II announcement
On March 13, 2024, a rematch between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal was announced, to be held on June 1, 2024, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California.
May 7, 2024: Diaz vs. Masvidal II rescheduled (1)
On May 7, 2024, it was reported that the Diaz vs. Masvidal rematch was rescheduled for July 6, 2024, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
May 13, 2024: Diaz vs. Masvidal II rescheduled (2)
The new date for the Diaz vs. Masvidal rematch, July 6, 2024, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, was confirmed on May 13, 2024.
June 1, 2024: Diaz vs. Masvidal II postponed
Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal's rematch, originally scheduled for June 1, 2024, was postponed.
July 6, 2024: Diaz vs. Masvidal II (expected)
Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal are expected to have their rematch on July 6, 2024, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.