Don’t file Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal’s boxing match in the identical folder as Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen “struggle.”
To place it plainly, Saturday night time’s struggle on the Honda Heart in Anaheim was enjoyable and the Silva-Sonnen exhibition was not a real competitors.
Diaz prevailed with a majority determination over Masvidal, nevertheless it was something however an open-and-shut case with the judges’ scorecards (97-93, 98-92, 95-95). Each 39-year-olds showcased their spectacular endurance, throwing over 1,400 punches within the struggle.
Diaz’s relentless motion, although not as highly effective, influenced the judges along with his work charge. Nevertheless, there was no query that Masvidal’s punches had been much more highly effective and seemingly damaging.
Diaz’s chin continues to be spectacular. Diaz by no means took a step backward, it doesn’t matter what pictures he ate, and stored throwing punches your entire struggle. Here’s a take a look at among the pictures Diaz took in stride.
The judges favored Diaz’s quantity over Masvidal’s energy punches, and that may clarify two of the three calling it for the Stockton, California native.
After the struggle, Diaz referred to as his win a “mission completed.” The 2 males met within the first-ever BMF title struggle within the UFC. Masvidal received by way of TKO when the physician stopped the struggle due to a nasty gash above Diaz’s eye.
Throughout his post-fight interview, Diaz expressed an curiosity in combating Jake Paul once more. He fought Paul in a boxing match in August 2023 and misplaced a unanimous determination. Paul scored a knockdown within the fifth spherical of that struggle.
Paul, who has a take care of the Skilled Fighters League, supplied to face Diaz in a rematch contained in the PFL’s SmartCage, however the latter turned down the $15 million provide.
Paul took to social media with a profane response to handle that after listening to Diaz’s callout. Enterprise relations with the UFC in all probability forestall Diaz from taking Paul’s provide, however we’ll see what occurs shifting ahead.
The Diaz-Masvidal struggle appeared to be a major business success. The Honda Heart in Anaheim was packed, loud, and spirited for the occasion.
The introduced attendance for the occasion was 18,040, which is spectacular. Maybe Diaz’s confirmed marketability will open up new alternatives for him. He additionally referred to as out present UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, as Diaz nonetheless desires to win a UFC title.
Diaz misplaced to Edwards by way of unanimous determination in June 2021, however he staggered him within the fifth spherical, suggesting that he may doubtlessly have some success in opposition to the present champion.
Contemplating his age, it could be a stretch, however Diaz is a confirmed needle-mover with followers, which can be one thing the UFC can’t resist.