MMA
Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Nate Diaz: Injuries tarnished performance

PHOENIX -- Following a difficult fight week and even more difficult fight, UFC lightweight Nate Diaz said he'll be back.

Diaz, 29, returned to the UFC on Saturday for the first time since November 2013 -- and he did so injured, according to postfight comments.

The Stockton, California, native had held out most of 2014 in an effort to renegotiate an eight-fight contract he signed in late 2012. Those efforts eventually fell short, and Diaz agreed to return against Rafael dos Anjos at a UFC on Fox event inside US Airways Center.

Diaz (17-10) missed weight during Friday's official weigh-in, and then suffered a lopsided unanimous-decision loss. He forfeited 20 percent of his purse as a result of missing weight and was ineligible to receive any UFC Fight Night bonuses before the bout started.

In postfight comments made to the UFC, Diaz said he had experienced difficulties in training camp and came into the fight less than 100 percent.

"I ran into some issues in camp, and I wish I could've fought and won," Diaz stated. "I know what I can do. I had to come and get paid. I had some issues, and I was injured. I was not in the best type of shape I could be in. I'm here to fight, always. I'm here. You see me. I'm not like other guys pulling out of fights with injuries.

"Regardless, I'm going to be here and show up and show what I can do. I just wish I could've been in better shape and had better sparring. Next time. I'll be here next time. I want to get the job done and make it look right."

Diaz's relationship with the UFC remains unstable, and president Dana White said during Saturday's postfight conference he'd like to either see Diaz fully commit himself to a title run or retire. Diaz has four fights left on his current deal.

"Definitely an interesting week for him," White said. "He wants to make more money, yet he keeps doing things to lose money -- which doesn't make sense at all. I think Nate is in this position where he needs to heal up and decide what he wants to do. Does he want to get serious and come in here and try to make a title run, or does he want to retire?"

^ Back to Top ^