UFC 279: T-Mobile Arena; Las Vegas
If this was the fight that had been planned from the get-go; it could have been a loser leave town fight. However, it might just turn out being the winner exiting. Because Nate Diaz ready to walk away from the UFC. After securing his first submission win since doing it to Conor McGregor at UFC 196, he told Joe Rogan he’s ready to take a break from the UFC and take over another sport.
Now whether it’s boxing is anyone’s guess right now. However there are some things that have to be looked at. The Diaz Army has a lot on the plate. Between triathlons, getting his own promotion off the ground, there’s financial options for him. Diaz showcased his boxing against Tony Ferguson pretty well. But a 38-year old “El Cucuy” is not a mid 20s Jake Paul, if you look at him as a real boxer or not. Paul continues to take out former UFC fighters for a reason. They’re not true boxers.
Let’s not kid ourselves. When an MMA fighter talks about crossing over into boxing, unless they clout chase by saying Canelo Alvarez, they aren’t really hunting boxers. They’re hunting the money that comes from boxing. Sure they all say they want Paul for the same reason. But the kid is talented… although he isn’t hunting boxers either.
Diaz’s power is deceptive and he’s patient. But MMA boxing is a far cry from boxing in the “sweet science”. And he’d be behind a pretty significant eight-ball in a boxing ring. Forget about no jiu-jitsu which is his true strong suit, if he tried that awkward hands down walking away routine; he’d have a real short and painful night.
Diaz Ready To Walk Away, But Is There Really A Better Home?
The biggest free agent in MMA is still tied up for now to the UFC. Dana White has 90-days of exclusive contract talk with him. He’s too rich for the blood of the PFL, and ONE FC. Would Bellator jump on him? Yea, probably. There’s a strong bond between Nick and Scott Coker. Plus there’s some really intriguing fights at 155 and 170 there. Like Douglas Lima, Benson Henderson; who he lost to in 2012, and Neiman Gracie. Which would be interesting being he’s a Cesar Gracie student. But at 37-it’s hard to see him make a legit title run there.
It all could be a giant smoke screen right now. As he could just want one-fight deals. The trilogy against McGregor is still out there for him. And there are a couple of other fun fights right here for him. Such as Dustin Poirier and Colby Covington. Although “Chaos” might be looking at a battle with KHAMZAT CHIMAEV if the UFC allows the Chechen to stay at 170.
Reading The Tea Leaves
If he keeps to wanting a break, it might turn into a forever one. And the story book way he can now close the career is what all athletes want. Going out on your own terms with a win to boot. The two things Diaz has always had over his competitors is his total extreme self belief, and his die-hard perseverance. He’s at the cross-roads right now. And teaching the next generation of fighters full time might just be the challenge that fulfills his heart.
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