Former UFC star Nate Diaz’s first foray into boxing ended in disappointment, as he lost to Jake Paul via unanimous decision. Despite the setback, it appears Diaz is not ready to close this chapter, hinting at a potential rematch with the YouTuber-turned-boxer. In a recent Instagram post, Diaz shared an image from their 2023 bout, accompanied by the caption, “F*** this watching shit,” signaling his desire to get back in the ring with Paul.
The initial fight was a challenging one for Diaz. While the Stockton native managed to go the distance in the 10-round bout, he struggled to seriously trouble Paul with his punches. In contrast, Paul was more effective, even knocking Diaz down once during the fight. Still, Diaz’s endurance and determination were evident, as he lasted through all ten rounds.
Meanwhile, Jake Paul has been vocal about wanting to face Diaz in an MMA fight. He recently offered the former UFC fighter a $10 million payout to compete under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner. Despite the lucrative offer, Diaz has shown little enthusiasm for the idea. Paul, fresh off a victory over boxing legend Mike Tyson, seems eager to add more high-profile names to his record, but Diaz has other priorities.
Diaz’s reluctance to accept Paul’s MMA challenge may be rooted in past financial disputes. After his boxing match against former UFC competitor Jorge Masvidal, Diaz claimed he was shortchanged by the organizers, Fanmio Boxing. According to Diaz, they promised him a $10 million payday but ultimately paid only $1 million. Such experiences might explain his hesitance to accept large offers without clear guarantees.
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Adding to the tension is Diaz’s vocal disdain for Jake Paul, particularly after Paul’s controversial win over Mike Tyson. Tyson, at 58 years old, returned to the ring and lasted eight rounds against Paul, though the fight was criticized for lacking excitement. Despite this, Tyson demonstrated he still had some of his legendary endurance and grit. Diaz, a staunch supporter of Tyson, had tweeted his support before the bout, expressing his frustration with Paul’s rise in the boxing world.
Speculation about Diaz’s future continues to swirl. Some fans hope to see him return to MMA, potentially for a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor. Others believe he should pursue a rematch with Jake Paul in the boxing ring. The $10 million MMA offer from Paul remains on the table, but given Diaz’s history of financial disputes, he may remain cautious.
For now, fans are left wondering what path Diaz will choose. Should he stick with boxing, revisit MMA, or perhaps even retire from fighting altogether? The decision will ultimately shape the next chapter of his storied career.