Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz is a Stockton, California, mixed martial artist known for a long UFC run across the lightweight and welterweight divisions. He trained in the Cesar Gracie system alongside his older brother, Nick, and made his professional MMA debut at age 19 with a submission at WEC 12. Diaz won The Ultimate Fighter 5 in 2007, earning a UFC contract, and his official UFC profile lists him at 6 feet 1 inch with a 76-inch reach. The same profile identifies Gracie Fighter / Nick Diaz Academy in Lodi, California, as his training base and describes him as a striker.

Diaz’s most prominent UFC moments include challenging Benson Henderson for the lightweight championship in December 2012 and submitting Conor McGregor in their March 5, 2016 welterweight bout. His final recorded UFC appearance came on September 10, 2022, when he submitted Tony Ferguson at UFC 279; UFC currently lists his status as “Not Fighting.” Diaz subsequently boxed Jake Paul in August 2023 and returned to professional MMA in a May 16, 2026 bout with Mike Perry promoted by MVP and streamed on Netflix. He is best characterized by high-volume boxing, persistent forward pressure, endurance in extended exchanges, and a submission-oriented Brazilian jiu-jitsu game.