UFC welterweight Nate Diaz has finally been thrust in to the MMA limelight this year. After a career defining UFC 196 submission win over Conor McGregor, the grappler/boxer from Stockton, California has become a superstar.
After 10 years of fighting on the brink of the truly elite, Diaz has began reaping the benefits of a 10-year stint in the UFC. In a recent interview he claimed to have made more money from the McGregor fight than all his other UFC bouts combined.
The victory over featherweight champion McGregor truly was amazing in every sense. Not only did Diaz replace the injured Rafael dos Anjos on just 11 days notice, he came in as a massive underdog in the betting office.
He’d also been recently drinking tequila and eating tacos when Dana White made the call. Many believed that Diaz had actually been training for a triathlon, but he later shot down this statement as inaccurate.
Since defeating the Irish star in such convincing fashion, Diaz has been able to speak his mind to the fullest extent. No longer is he gagged by the perceived threat of losing his job or not being able to earn money.
Now that he is the big attraction, Nate Diaz is in a great position to give his opinion without the threat of reprimand. For the UFC, this is perhaps not so good.