Eleven years ago today, Nate Diaz made a rare misstep before stepping up to face a high-profile opponent. Over his 15-year tenure in the UFC, the Stockton native built a legacy by competing against some of the sport’s best, becoming one of MMA’s most beloved and recognized figures. Diaz etched his name in history with memorable wins, including his victory over Conor McGregor, while also battling other elite fighters like Benson Henderson, Gray Maynard, Jorge Masvidal, Tony Ferguson, Melvin Guillard, and Takanori Gomi. Among the former champions he faced was Rafael dos Anjos, who triumphed over Diaz in a bout where Diaz was notably heavier than expected.
On December 13, 2014, during UFC on Fox 13, Diaz and dos Anjos co-headlined after the main card opener ended swiftly in knockouts. Dos Anjos won via judges’ decision, but Diaz also experienced a significant first—he missed weight by 4.6 pounds for his non-title lightweight fight, an error that nearly jeopardized the bout. Despite this, the fight proceeded with Diaz fined 20% of his purse, a penalty he has not encountered since. Dos Anjos’ win marked his third consecutive victory and earned him a shot at the lightweight title, which he successfully captured afterward.
Though Diaz has focused on boxing since his last UFC fight—a win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in 2022—he has hinted at a return to MMA, sparking interest with a recent mention of Paddy Pimblett. “I’m looking at Pimblett,” Diaz said in an Instagram video. Pimblett is set to challenge for the interim UFC lightweight title at UFC 324, with a chance to unify it against current champion Ilya Topuria. Given Diaz hasn’t fought at lightweight since 2015, a fight against Pimblett seems improbable but has reignited excitement about Diaz possibly re-entering the Octagon.
Fan Take: Nate Diaz’s journey highlights both the highs and occasional lows athletes face in elite MMA competition, reminding fans of his resilience and character. His potential return keeps the door open for fresh matchups that could shake up the lightweight division and engage a broad fanbase eager for exciting fights.
