by Nate Diaz finds himself comfortably in Jake Paul’s crosshairs after The Problem Child’s recent big win.
It’s nothing new for former or retired MMA fighters to be targeted by Paul, and Michael Bisping is no different. For a brief period, the two joked back and forth with “the Count” and even shared that some negotiations were going his way. Nothing obviously came to fruition and Paul has since defeated Bisping’s former fellow UFC champions Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva.
Paul clinched a unanimous decision over Silva last weekend, leading many to believe he was on track to next face off against the aforementioned Diaz, who attended the fight. However, Bisping isn’t sure if that’s a great idea for the Stockton, California native.
“While most of Nate Diaz’s fights were at 155, he was a lightweight, then he moved up to welterweight, 170 pounds, and he went 5-5,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “The only knockout he scored was against Rory Markham in 2010.
“Listen, with boxing gloves on, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Nate Diaz. Nate Diaz was a great mixed martial artist. He’s beaten some phenomenal people, had a tremendous career. He’s lost a few fights and won a lot of fights. The jiu-jitsu would be gone, the kick game would be gone, the general craftsmanship and game plans and the adversity of attacks, punches, kicks, knees, elbows, chokes, chokes, triangles, takedowns, you name it. Diaz could do that. Those are the advantages he would have over a Jake Paul.”
Diaz is officially free from the UFC, where he has spent the last 15 years as a competitor. The one-time lightweight title challenger was fighting for his contract at UFC 279 last September, picking up a fourth-round guillotine submission win over Tony Ferguson.
Diaz again competed against Ferguson at 170 pounds but has never fought higher in his professional martial arts career. Regardless, there’s an opportunity for Diaz to go toe-to-toe with Paul. At the same time, he didn’t fully close the door on a UFC return on the way out.
“If he was going to fight Jake Paul and at that weight, 200 pounds or 196 pounds, whatever weight they want to come in at, I don’t think it would do very well for Nate Diaz,” Bisping said. “But I will say this, I think they would both make a lot of money.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the UFC came back and offered Diaz a mega deal for that third fight [Conor] McGregor, because come on, everyone wants to see that.”
departures. UFC releases 11 fighters, Askar Askarov grants release on request
Next? Jake Paul doubles down on Nate Diaz’s callout, calling it “easy work” compared to Anderson Silva.
End. Frankie Edgar reveals reasons behind decision to retire after UFC 281: ‘I know I can’t fight forever’
rivals. Tommy Fury unconvinced by Jake Paul’s win: ‘Anderson Silva isn’t too far from my dad’s age’
Poirier’s Greatest Hits.
Free “fight”.
Adesanya’s UFC 281 fight camp.
Hardy breaks up Rodriguez vs. Lemos.
A Cejudo top 5.
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Matt Brown and Belal Muhammad.
damn morning MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses next steps for Arnold Allen and reacts to Jake Paul’s win over Anderson Silva.
family matter.
Talent.
Kind.
family
Very much so.
tick tock
Great.
fight week.
It was time he got a driver.
Jailton Almeida (17-2) vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-7); UFC Vegas 67, Jan. 14
Justin Tafa (5-3) vs. Parker Porter (13-7); UFC 284, February 11
Nazim Sadykhov (7-1) vs. EvanElder (7-1); UFC Fight Night, February 18
Themba Gorimbo (10-3) vs. Billy Goff (8-2); UFC Fight Night, February 18
I mean, it’s the same song and dance over and over until Jake punches a boxer. Won’t stop people from still watching though.
Thank you for reading!
opinion poll
If Jake Paul next boxes Nate Diaz, who do you have?
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