Nate Diaz reevaluates career path after Jorge Masvidal win, announces commitment toward improving "credentials" instead of chasing "fun fights"
Nate Diaz is determined to rematch Leon Edwards in the near-future, highlighting a new direction he envisions of his career. After beating Jorge Masvidal via majority decision in the pair's highly anticipated boxing match, the Stockton star used the post-fight press conference to express interest in avenging another loss.
He identified Edwards, who is the current UFC welterweight champion, as the world's best 170-pounder. He thereafter claimed that his priorities as a fighter have shifted from pursuing fun matchups, as he now seems intent on improving his combat sports credentials.
"I would like to get a win against Leon Edwards, who's the best fighter in the world right now at 170. I think that's what... that's something major who's going to bring something that I can take and put in a credential box. That's what I'm going for, I'm not playing for no f***ing fun fights cause that's no fun."
Check out Nate Diaz talk about fighting Leon Edwards:
Diaz and Edwards previously clashed at UFC 263, with the Englishman battering and bloodying the MMA star for most of the bout. However, as is often the case, Edwards appeared to switch off toward the end, having a lapse in concentration, which led to Diaz rocking him badly with a sharp one-two.
Edward survived the final round to win a unanimous decision, but the condition he was in toward the end led to some minor interest in seeing the two men square off again. However, a rematch is unlikely, as Diaz is in the twilight of his career, and may very well never fight for the welterweight belt.
Nate Diaz hasn't been a serious title contender in over a decade
Despite the fact that he spent the latter half of his career at welterweight, Nate Diaz was actually a lightweight for most of his MMA stint. His only UFC title fight came against former lightweight champion Benson Henderson, who defeated him via unanimous decision back in 2012.
Check out Nate Diaz's loss to Benson Henderson:
Not long afterward, he began pursuing 'fun fights,' beginning with his first clash with Conor McGregor, who he submitted in stunning fashion at UFC 196. Thereafter, Diaz never committed to a title pursuit, moving to welterweight where he took high-profile fights with little relevance to the rankings.