Nate Diaz promises he’s not looking for trouble but if anybody starts some static with him, they might want to duck and cover because a bottle of water might come zooming at them sooner than later.
There are more than a few videos out there showing Diaz launching a bottle of water at somebody — most famously in a melee with Conor McGregor ahead of their rematch back in 2016. As he was leaving the press conference with McGregor shouting at him, Diaz tossed a bottle of water at the Irish superstar and that led to more bottles and even full cans of energy drinks being launched across the room.
Diaz also got into a water bottle tossing incident with members of Islam Makhachev’s team backstage this past December ahead of a UFC press conference in Las Vegas. But Diaz says he’s rarely the aggressor because those altercations usually start with somebody talking smack to him and then he’ll respond with a bottle of water.
“I was watching the old press conference with Jake Paul [and he said] ‘he’s always choking somebody or throwing a bottle at them.’ I’m a counter fighter, motherfcker,” Diaz said on the HJR podcast. “If you’re fcking with me like ‘f*ck you bitch’ and I’m standing there with a bottle, [I’ll throw it] like shut up, bitch. This ain’t going to hurt you.”
According to Diaz, the bottle of water is always his first line of defense because there’s rarely a time when he doesn’t have one nearby. With such easy access, Diaz finds the bottle of water as the easiest way to get somebody’s attention.
“Let me tell you something, you see how I’ve got this bottle [of water]? I stay hydrated,” Diaz said. “I always have water on me, no matter where I’m at. You should see next to my bed in my room, I’ve got f*cking 15 waters from every night. Then someone starts popping off, [I throw the bottle] like shut up, bitch.”
Diaz claimed more often than not, the bottle of water getting thrown is usually in response to somebody shouting insults at him from a distance.
The one-time UFC title challenger says chucking a bottle of water at them is an easy way to find out if they actually want to start some trouble with him or if they’re all talk.
“Now I tagged you, balls in your court,” Diaz said. “What are you going to do about it? And that [bottle of water] ain’t going to hurt nobody.”
Of course, Diaz’s willingness to mix it up with anybody at any time has come back to bite him in the bank account.
He revealed during the same interview that an altercation with a Logan Paul lookalike — later identified as Rodney Peterson — cost him a hefty sum of money after he faced a lawsuit over the incident. While Diaz was cleared of all criminal charges, Peterson still sued him after video showed the veteran UFC fighter choking him out during an incident in New Orleans.
Diaz says he ultimately settled the lawsuit and paid Peterson rather than continuing the fight in court, which would have cost him even more money.
“He did sue me,” Diaz said. “I was winning but it was going to just go forever and I was going to pay more in lawyer fees. So I just ended up paying him $18,000 because my lawyer bills were up to $17,000. So it cost me like $30,000. I get sued by everybody. I guarantee you I got the record.”
in the 209, water bottle throwing is part of their training regimen
Nate Diaz is still interested in fighting for the UFC again, but they’re gonna have to generate some interesting options for him if they want him to sign on the dotted line.
Diaz fought out his contract back in 2022, ending a 15 year relationship with the promotion. He then went on to lose to Jake Paul and beat Jorge Masvidal in boxing bouts … the latter of which he didn’t get paid for.
When you sell out an arena and still get screwed over, it probably makes you miss the more reliable ways the UFC operates. So we’re not surprised that Nate is still interested in fighting for them again (despite repeated attempts to bury him).
In a recent interview with the The HJR Podcast (recorded before UFC 315 and the Thailand brawl incident), the Stockton fighter discussed his thoughts on returning to UFC and what’s stopping him at the moment.
“I plan on going back to UFC,” Diaz said. “If they’ll have me, I would like to go back and whoop someone’s ass there. I’m not fighting at 155, though. Right now I’m not fighting in there because there’s nobody to fight, really. It’s kind of slow rolling. I don’t really have a name in mind right now in UFC, that’s why I’m not there right now.”
“Everybody’s rushing. I would be there if there was somebody that I wanted to go fight.”
Discussion turned to the BMF belt, which Nate took credit for and called the most entertaining thing happening in the UFC. He also expressed interest in fighting some of the BMF belt holders, be they legit or through lineal conquest.
“Those are the guys right there that I would want to fight,” Diaz said. “Like Max Holloway. I’d like to fight that other guy [Topuria]. He’s really good but he’s smaller than me. I’m done with 155, I’m cool off that. It always was [a hard weight cut], since I was 18, it was hard. I’m staying at 170. I’ll fight 185 too.”
We’re sure Max Holloway would love to skip a weight cut and fight Nate Diaz after he fights Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 on July 18th. Could it happen? If they could pull together a McGregor or Holloway fight (or uno mas with Poirier), it would be a nice addition to a year sorely lacking in fan service fights.
Have him rematch Leon to see where he’s at.
Diaz choked out Logan Paul lookalike Rodney Petersen during a wild New Orleans brawl back in 2023, with footage showing Petersen foolishly approaching Diaz with his hands up as multiple other fights raged in the background. The Orleans Parish District Attorney didn’t bother to press charges, but Petersen did eventually make some money off the incident.
“He did sue me. I won,” Nate said, before admitting he didn’t win. “I was winning, but it was just gonna go forever and I was gonna pay more in lawyer fees. So I just ended up paying them $18K because my lawyer bills were up to $17K. And it cost me $30 grand. I’m like, I get sued by everybody. I guarantee you, I got the record.”
Diaz Calls for Respect in an Evolving Sport
Nate Diaz, a prominent figure in mixed martial arts and a former contender for the ‘BMF’ title, has recently aired his grievances about the current state of fighter respect within the UFC. While he doesn’t seek reverence, Diaz insists that the newcomers should at least acknowledge his contributions to the sport. As one of the biggest names in MMA, he has become a common reference point for younger fighters, many of whom opt to provoke him to garner attention, a move Diaz finds both frustrating and unwarranted.
During a candid discussion with former champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson on the HJR podcast, Diaz reflected on his respect for the fighters who came before him. He emphasized that he sees those slightly older than him as ‘O.G.s,’ indicating his recognition of their achievements. In contrast, he expressed disbelief at the behavior of fighters he considers to be significantly junior in the sport, who demean him without provocation. This disparity in respect has led Diaz to call out these fighters for their lack of decorum.
Confrontational Challenges from Younger Fighters
Diaz has also been vocal about the trend he perceives among younger fighters seeking to elevate their own status through derogatory remarks aimed at him. He perceives this as a misguided approach to gaining notoriety within the UFC. Notably, fighters like Bo Nickal and Justin Gaethje have chosen to name-drop Diaz in their interviews, often characterizing him negatively. Diaz argues that such remarks do little for their careers and inadvertently disrespect a veteran with a storied legacy.
For instance, he recounted a moment involving Gaethje, who burst onto the UFC scene in 2016 and, according to Diaz, has disparaged him publicly. Instead of engaging with such insults, Diaz feels compelled to question why these fighters would need to involve him in their narratives. He maintains that they should prepare for the consequences of their words when they face him in the octagon, indicating that he doesn’t shy away from potential conflicts that arise from trash talk.
The Impact of Trash Talk in the UFC
The culture of trash talk has long been a part of UFC’s allure, with fighters often using it as a tool to build hype for bouts. However, Diaz believes that certain lines should not be crossed, especially when respect is sacrificed for the sake of attention. His perspective contends that while rivalries can be competitive and entertaining, they should be authentic rather than fabricated through insults. This approach to fighting is grounded in respectful competition rather than sensationalism.
This viewpoint sheds light on Diaz’s persona as both a fighter and a fan of the sport. He feels a personal attachment to his career and to those he admires, which amplifies his disappointment when fighters fail to recognize the lineage and respect inherent in mixed martial arts. Diaz challenges these fighters to confront him with the same energy they exhibit online when they come face-to-face, urging them to uphold their words in a more direct context.
Diaz’s Stand Against Disrespect
Nate Diaz‘s reactions to the provocations reflect a deeper sentiment about integrity and honor in the sport. He stands firmly against what he perceives as premeditated attempts to cloud his legacy for personal gain. The frustration voiced in his interactions underscores a growing divide between established fighters and the newer generation that might not fully grasp the traditions and respect that underpin their profession.
Diaz reiterates that the reality of the octagon should act as a great equalizer, where fighters should face the consequences of their words. He recognizes the competitive nature of the UFC but affirms that personal respect remains paramount. His words serve as a reminder that the foundation of mixed martial arts is built on respect for one’s peers, regardless of how the sport evolves in the wake of new talent and contemporary societal norms.
Concluding Thoughts on Fighter Etiquette
As the UFC continues to grow, the dynamics between fighters and the way they communicate will be critical for shaping the sport’s future. Diaz’s insistence on mutual respect serves as a guiding principle amid the flashy clashes of modern fighter promotional techniques. He highlights the importance of honoring those who paved the way while simultaneously challenging the newer generation to uphold these standards.
In a world dominated by social media and sensational headlines, Diaz advocates for a return to core values within the sport. His approach serves as a crucial reminder to all fighters: real respect is earned through actions, not mere words. As Diaz himself stated, respect should be inherent in the culture of mixed martial arts, fostering a community built on shared passion rather than petty rivalry.
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Honestly at this point Diaz needs to step away. He has no business trying to fight these killers. I don’t even respect the call outs. It’s not rational or logical. Your time is over. The Masvidal fight should have taught him something about where he stands now. Just enjoy the shows and your family and your life.