Nate
Diaz still has plenty of fight left in him. | Sarah Stier/Getty
Images for Netflix
Nate
Diaz ended first MMA fight in nearly four years covered in
blood.
After two fairly lopsided rounds in the
Most Valuable Promotions “Rousey vs. Carano”co-main event,
Diaz’s corner waved off the fight against Mike Perry,
giving the BKFC “King of Violence” an emphatic TKO victory against
a man who emerged as biggest stars of the sport over the past
decade-plus.
While the bout wasn’t especially competitive, the Stockton,
California, native remains defiant regarding his fighting future.
When Diaz is ready to retire, he vows that it won’t be a public
spectacle — and that day doesn’t seem to be coming anytime
soon.
“The show goes on,” Diaz said at Saturday’s post-fight press
conference. “I felt the same way as when I lost when I was younger
and the same as the last time. I don’t have a checkout time, you
know what I’m saying? That s—t’s forever.
“And when I do check out, I don’t need to be f—ing crying about it
to the f—ing media and put my gloves down in the ring. You f—ing go
out into the woods and have your f—ing life then, you know what I’m
saying? That’s like, you’ve got to explain yourself why you’re not
fighting anymore? Do whatever the f—k you want. But as of now, I
feel like I have a long road ahead of me and a lot of s—t to
do.”
First on Diaz’s agenda is a potential rematch with Perry.
“Right now, yeah, let’s start that ASAP, ASAP,” Diaz said. “Heal
up, and I’ll start running on Monday.”
The 41-year-old Cesar
Gracie Fight Team standout has lost three of his last four MMA
appearances dating back to his BMF title defeat to Jorge
Masvidal in 2019. He’s also split a pair of boxing matches,
losing a unanimous verdict to Jake Paul in
August 2023 before taking a majority decision against Masvidal in
July 2024.
No Shame in Losing
Regardless of what the future holds, Diaz remained defiant toward
anyone who suggests he calls it a career because of the loss to
Perry.
“And then people will be like, ‘You lost, you should hang them up.’
And I’m like, isn’t this the most violent motherf—er who just
knocked out f—ing middleweight champion Luke
Rockhold and Jeremy
Stephens. And who the f—k did he just beat? Eddie
Alvarez? He’s the lightweight champion forever,” Diaz said.
“And then, yeah, and he’s popping, he’s doing all this s—t,
fighting everybody… I just fought the most violent motherf—ker
right there. So maybe I just need to f—ing run a little harder next
time and get the f—ing job done.”