Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal: Live round-by-round updates
The Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal round-by-round updates are here. The two MMA superstars collide in the light heavyweight division, with the bout meant to close out their heated rivalry. Ahead of the boxing match, Diaz and Masvidal bring similar levels of experience in professional boxing.
While much is said about Diaz sparring world champions, his only showcase of his skills under the professional rule-set was against Jake Paul, who defeated the Stockton star via unanimous decision, leaving him with a 0-1 record. Masvidal has also only ever fought once in professional boxing, but it was back in 2005.
Fortune, though, favored Masvidal, as he emerged victorious with a majority decision, and he will looking to author similar levels of success tonight. In fact, 'Gamebred' has already faced Diaz, with the two men having crossed swords over the 'BMF' belt at UFC 244 back in 2019.
Masvidal dominated Diaz for most of the bout, before scoring a controversial TKO due to a cut, which led to a doctor stoppage. Now, Diaz is determined to exact his vengeance. Masvidal, meanwhile, is aiming to get back into the win column after retiring from MMA on a four-fight losing streak.
DraftKings Sportsbook has Masvidal as a -275 favorite, while Diaz is a +210 underdog.
Follow Sportskeeda for live updates and play-by-play analysis of the light heavyweight blockbuster.
Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal
Round 1: Diaz opens the round with a body jab, but Masvidal answers with immediate aggression, swinging. Masvidal closes the distance quickly, landing short shots in the pocket. Diaz, though, backs him up, darting in with jabs high and low. Masvidal on the backfoot for now, with Diaz swarming him and finding a home for his body jab.
More jabs for Diaz as a one-two splits Masvidal's guard. 'Gamebred's' activity is nonexistent. Diaz snaps his head back with a one-two. Masvidal is backed up to the corner, eating more one-twos. It's all Diaz in round one. They clinch, but break. Masvidal lands an uppercut to the body, then a right hand over the top.
Diaz doesn't give Masvidal much room for success though, ending the round with more output.
Round 2: A body jab from Diaz opens the round. Masvidal fires back with a combination but he hasn't earned his opponent's respect yet. Now Masvidal is on the front foot, landing some nice shots as he pivots away to counter Diaz's pressure. Masvidal eats a few shots and they clinch. Diaz leans on him, but Masvidal rips him with uppercuts to the body.
Masvidal seems like he's trying to counter Diaz, but eats a few one-twos as he gets backed into a corner. They clinch and Diaz lands a few hooks in a dirty boxing exchange. They break and Masvidal lands a check right hook that stuns Diaz, who had level changed for an overhand left.
The round ends with Diaz swarming Masvidal. It's a better round for Masvidal, but Diaz has no respect for his power despite the results of their first fight.
Round 3: Diaz blasts Masvidal with a series of one-twos, but 'Gamebred' fires back with a combination. Masvidal digs to the body with a few uppercuts, but Diaz applies relentless pressure, not giving his opponent any breathing room. Diaz backs him up to the ropes and unloads with body shots.
Masvidal lands a nice left over the top, but it does nothing to slow Diaz down. More combinations from 'Gamebred,' who snaps Diaz's head back. But Diaz's pressure is endless. Masvidal is pivoting well. The round ends with an exchange and clinch.
Round 4: More pressure from Diaz, with Masvidal clinching to smother his punches. Masvidal, who started from southpaw, still hasn't switched to orthodox. It's not clear what he's trying to set up. Diaz misses with a one-two as Masvidal ducks under. An overhand left counters Diaz on his way in.
Masvidal is sniping Diaz on the counter now, sitting down on his punches. Diaz fires right back with his own combinations, while Masvidal blasts him in the body. Diaz takes a breather, taunts Masvidal and lands a one-two. The round ends with Masvidal ripping Diaz's midsection.
Round 5: Masvidal gets back up by a one-two from Diaz, who snaps his head back. Diaz's workrate is serving him well, he's dragging 'Gamebred' into deep waters. Masvidal switches to orthodox and blasts Diaz with an overhand right, but it does nothing to slow his opponent down.
Masvidal opens up with more combinations that backs Diaz up to the ropes. But Diaz is back on the offense, pressuring 'Gamebred.' Jabs and straights for Diaz as Masvidal eats them in the corner. Masvidal lands some hard shots that briefly stun Diaz. It's a tale of volume versus power.
Round 6: Masvidal starts with the round from an orthodox stance. Diaz backs him up and eats a right hand for his troubles. A right hook to the body lands for Masvidal. Masvidal just can't keep Diaz off him though, eating shots against the ropes as he returns to southpaw.
Fatigue is setting in for Masvidal, but he still digs a few uppercuts to the body. They exchange in the center, before Diaz lands a jab. Masvidal stumbles Diaz with a counter left, but Diaz recovered quickly. More hard shots for Masvidal as the round ends.
Round 7: Masvidal is retreating as Diaz marches him to the ropes. Diaz tries to showboat but eats a hard shot that snaps him back to reality. Masvidal's output has lowered, as Diaz is swarming him with volume. Some body shots for Masvidal land. Diaz isn't letting hup, and eats an overhand left.
A nice combination lands for Diaz, but Masvidal fires back. Masvidal ends the round blasting Diaz before they clinch.
Round 8: Masvidal is back on the ropes, but circles back to the center. Diaz, though, doesn't let him stay there for long as he lands a few shots up top. They clinch and engage in a dirty boxing exchange. 'Gamebred' lands some hard shots and Diaz showboats against the ropes.
A combination lands for Masvidal, who blasts Diaz in the body. Diaz fires back with some jabs and eats an overhand right. Diaz showboating again. Masvidal unloads with a big combination, but nothing has stopped Diaz so far.
Round 9: A one-two lands for Diaz. Masvidal is the more fatigued fighter, but he fires back with some body shots. 'Gamebred' on the front foot now, Diaz is slowing down just slightly. Combinations land for Diaz, who has forced Masvidal back on the backfoot. Both men land hard shots.
Masvidal swings and misses with a combination. The round ends with both men clinching and dirty boxing.
Round 10: The final round starts with an urgent Diaz who throws punches in bunches to overwhelm Masvidal. A leaping right hook partially lands for Masvidal. Both men clinch. They break away and Diaz lands a one-two. Diaz snaps Masvidal's head back with a combination.
Masvidal raises his arms and Diaz tries to make him pay for it, but Masvidal is wise to it. A one-two for Diaz lands, before Masvidal answers with a jab. The round ends with an exchange between the pair.
Official Decision: Nate Diaz def. Jorge Masvidal via majority decision (95-95, 97-93, 98-92)