Whenever you discuss icons and legends of combined martial arts, you consider combating capacity in addition to character.
One fighter who has proven to be iconic and is globally liked by followers is none apart from Stockton, California’s personal, Nate Diaz.
Diaz was recognisable to UFC followers for years, similar to his brother Nick Diaz, but it surely wasn’t till a selected combat that he actually grew to become a worldwide star.
Right here is the journey to the unimaginable underdog win of an MMA fan-favourite.
The Final Fighter Begins a Triumphant Run
Diaz first made his presence recognized on the UFC’s actuality TV present The Final Fighter: Season 5.
He blazed his manner by way of to succeed in the semi-finals, defeating Grey Maynard with a Guillotine Choke earlier than reaching the finale.
At 22 years outdated, Diaz grew to become the winner of the present after submitting Manvel Gamburyan within the second spherical.
This explicit accolade would then be introduced each time Bruce Buffer launched the Californian.
Diaz continued to carry out after his victorious second, making himself stand out within the Light-weight division.
The BJJ black belt submitted Junior Assuncao within the first spherical to earn three wins in 2007.
Two extra consecutive submission wins have been earned in opposition to Alvin Robinson and Kurt Pellegrino, earlier than headlining his first combat night time.
In his first fundamental occasion, Diaz went the space with Josh Neer to win by cut up determination, claiming a 100% win price in 2008.
Title Shot Inbound
After a bumpy street of wins and losses, Diaz stayed constant after his defeat to Rory MacDonald at UFC 129.
The submission specialist, Takanori Gomi, at UFC 135, stopped him with a first-round Armbar.
Diaz then went right into a heated and unforgettable battle with Donald Cerrone at UFC 141, beating him by unanimous determination.
The title alternative was earned as soon as Diaz submitted Jim Miller with a Guillotine Choke in New Jersey.
The Californian was set to face UFC Light-weight Champion, Benson Henderson, in Seattle.
The Championship combat would happen at KeyArena as Diaz hoped to change into the King of the 155-pound division.
Sadly, the Southpaw stance fighter misplaced a dominant determination with the judges scoring the bout 50-43, 50-45, 50-45.
Surprisingly, this may be Diaz’s solely world title combat within the UFC.
The Iconic UFC Callout
After defeating Grey Maynard by first-round TKO within the trilogy combat, Diaz was looking for a second title shot.
The six-foot-tall combined martial artist got here face-to-face with future UFC Champion, Rafael dos Anjos.
A win may have granted Diaz a dream second probability, but it surely wasn’t wanting promising when he missed the burden restrict earlier than the battle.
Ultimately, it didn’t matter as Diaz suffered a convincing unanimous determination loss to dos Anjos, who went on to win the title in his subsequent combat.
Redemption was then on the thoughts of the Stockton fighter, in addition to one thing else.
UFC 194 came about every week sooner than Diaz’s scheduled combat, the place Conor McGregor grew to become the UFC Featherweight Champion.
After defeating Michael Johnson by unanimous determination in Orlando, Florida, Diaz referred to as out McGregor within the post-fight interview with this notorious line.
“Conor McGregor. You’re taking the whole lot that I work for, motherf***er.”
McGregor vs Diaz: A Stunning Underdog Win
After such a strong callout, it was a risk that it may occur, however followers didn’t imagine it might.
‘The Infamous’ was alleged to tackle Rafael dos Anjos for the Light-weight title at UFC 196, however the Brazilian pulled out as a result of an damage.
On 11 days’ discover, Diaz stepped in to face McGregor in a Welterweight bout, which attracted lots of people to this rivalry.
What was extra of a problem for the Final Fighter winner was that the Irishman had by no means been defeated within the UFC.
To this present day, the rivalry continues to be thought to be the most effective in MMA, as each males have been continually partaking in trash speak.
Whether or not it might be on the press conferences or face-offs, each males hated one another’s guts.
The press conferences actually helped entice extra viewers and PPV buys because the combat grew in significance, the nearer it received.
With all of McGregor’s confidence in the best way he spoke to Diaz, it appeared moderately interesting that he would win the combat.
Because the combat started, McGregor landed loads of large photographs, however Diaz was nonetheless contesting with the UFC Featherweight Champion.
Initially of spherical two, Diaz was bleeding badly, however continued to attempt to put the tempo on the Irishman.
Ultimately, the Californian surprised McGregor with a number of photographs, forcing him to vary ranges, which might be an enormous mistake.
Diaz locked in a Guillotine, earlier than altering to a Rear-Bare Choke and made ‘The Infamous’ faucet in what can be one of many craziest underdog wins.
The Aftermath
With such a legendary victory, Diaz grew to become one of many largest names within the UFC, rising each his cash figures and fan base.
The Stockton-born famous person did battle McGregor within the rematch at UFC 202, however misplaced by majority determination.
That occasion would pull off extra PPV buys than the primary bout, exhibiting that Diaz was simply as well-known as McGregor.
After a three-year layoff, Diaz returned to UFC 241 and confronted Pettis, defeating him by unanimous determination.
Diaz went on to face Jorge Masvidal for the inaugural BMF title at UFC 244 in Madison Sq. Backyard.
Within the thrilling warfare, the combat was sadly stopped by a health care provider within the third spherical as a result of a reduce above Diaz’s eye.
Nineteen months later, the fan-favourite returned to tackle future UFC Welterweight Champion, Leon Edwards at UFC 263.
The Stockton fighter did lose, however he did rock Edwards within the ultimate minute of spherical 5, making the gang go completely psychological.
Diaz’s final MMA battle was in opposition to Tony Ferguson at UFC 279, though he was initially scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev.
The Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter defeated ‘El Cucuy’ by fourth-round submission with a Guillotine Choke.
It’s unknown when Diaz could return to the UFC, as he nonetheless goals to win a title within the organisation.
Nevertheless it’s attainable that different plans may happen as an alternative, particularly with the UFC’s White Home occasion happening subsequent yr.
