UFC 263 — The Nate Diaz you don’t know — friends share favorite stories of UFC star

The non-public jet taxied into its hangar in Phoenix on Sunday, shortly after 5 p.m. native time. It carried passengers who had boarded a few hours earlier in Stockton, California. However they’ve been on an extended, unusual journey for years.

Nate Diaz arrived for UFC 263 with mates who bear in mind when he would present up in a bullet-riddled Honda or using in a buddy’s ’95 Chrysler Sebring. The mode of transportation is completely different lately, however Diaz is basically the identical — the uncommon celebrity who’s been in a position to preserve an authenticity that retains the bond of this group tight.

You recognize it’s going to be a BIG combat week when @NateDiaz209 arrives on a non-public jet ?

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— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) June 8, 2023

Diaz, 36, began in Brazilian jiu-jitsu when he was about 14, partly as a result of he knew the fitness center would supply sizzling meals after classes. Beneath the tutelage of the famend Cesar Gracie, and following within the footsteps of his brother Nick Diaz, Nate developed right into a BJJ black belt, and he would turn into recognized for artistic submissions and a trademark strike symbolic of his combative upbringing: the Stockton Slap. His success within the Octagon, together with successful The Final Fighter 5 in 2007, and his lack of pretense endeared him to a big and constant fan base. Now he’s probably the most fashionable fighters on the earth, rubbing elbows with celebrities corresponding to Leonardo DiCaprio and Submit Malone.

On Saturday, he fights Leon Edwards in a pivotal five-round welterweight bout at UFC 263 in Glendale, Arizona. It isn’t the primary occasion and even the co-main, however Diaz-Edwards is arguably essentially the most anticipated contest on a stacked pay-per-view card that options two championship bouts. The winner may get a shot at welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

As Diaz stepped off the aircraft, he was surrounded by teammates and mates who know the UFC celebrity on a distinct degree than his public-facing persona because the mean-mugging, weed-smoking little brother of Nick. They know the man with the good humorousness, who was a great sport when a “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!” skit backfired on him. They know the loyal buddy who as soon as stuffed the fridge of a buddy who was down on his luck. They usually bear in mind the man who knew when it was time to take over. These are their tales.

[Editor’s note: Some content was edited for brevity and clarity.]

The early days

‘My first time seeing Nate combat’

Nick McDermott is one in all Diaz’s oldest and closest mates, and he’s at present his photographer.

He was moving into fights loads as a child. If anyone had something to say, he’d be like, “Effectively, let’s combat.”

There was one time on the baseball discipline in Morada. Some older child and Nate have been speaking s— to one another. Nate was in all probability like 11 or 12 years previous. The man was with a bunch of individuals.

Nate acquired all his mates collectively and was like, “This man is speaking s—.” All of them went over there, and this child and Nate fought for like a half-hour. This child was like three or 4 years older than Nate, however it was a fairly loopy combat. That was my first time seeing Nate combat. I’d say Nate received, however it was an extended, loopy combat.

‘These guys have been actually poor’

Cesar Gracie is a legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach and was Diaz’s first martial arts coach.

He began with me when he was about 14. I believe Nick was 16. These guys have been actually poor. Nate didn’t have cash to go seize meals or something. He began coaching in jiu-jitsu often because after we’d prepare, we’d all go get one thing to eat. We’d go purchase meals — tacos or one thing. It was fairly low cost. The taco vans have been fairly widespread in Stockton.

It was a option to go, “Effectively, I’m hungry, and if all I’ve to do is go do jiu-jitsu and field, everyone goes to eat? Nice.”

‘There was blood everywhere in the automobile’

Rudy Hernandez is a childhood buddy of Diaz’s and a longtime coaching associate.

We have been hanging out in Constitution Means, which wasn’t too good of a neighborhood in Stockton. We acquired into an altercation, and one in all our mates acquired shot within the arm.

Everybody took off. We threw our buddy within the automobile and we’re driving to the hospital. It was me, Nathan and our buddy. It was simply loopy. There was blood everywhere in the automobile, however he made it.

Nathan was calm. I believe he’s seen loads rising up. He doesn’t speak about it.

‘We have been form of the comedian aid’

Gilbert Melendez is a former Strikeforce light-weight champion, a UFC veteran and longtime Diaz coaching associate. He remembers grappling classes below the watchful eyes of former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields, who coached Melendez, and Nick Diaz.

My first encounters with Nate have been grappling on the mat with him. They have been very silent and quiet classes, and we simply adopted the path of our coaches.

Because it went on, we actually related as a result of we had quite a lot of enjoyable and would chuckle, and we have been simply related. We loved the journey.

I don’t suppose our targets have been to be the hardest on the earth on the time. We have been form of the comedian aid with Jake and Nick being so rattling critical. That’s how Nate is. He’s an enormous chief, he’s an enormous captain. However he additionally simply retains everybody actually related. He lights up a room when he is available in. Not simply due to who he’s or what he’s completed, however even earlier than that. He simply had that along with his boys and his group. Till this present day, he retains true to that.

The evolution

‘The Stockton Slap is actual, bro’

Andre Ward is a retired boxing champion and present ESPN boxing analyst who began coaching with Diaz round 2010.

I labored with him for years throughout my skilled boxing profession, particularly once I fought a lefty. He supplied a few of the most troublesome work I’ve had as knowledgeable. He’s left-handed, and I don’t usually have points with left-handers, however Nate is awkward. He throws quite a lot of punches from awkward angles.

And the Stockton Slap is actual, bro. It’s not prefer it hurts. It’s simply disrespectful. Like, you actually hit me with that? After which increase, increase. He hits you with extra photographs. It’s extra quantity than it’s energy.

And he doesn’t get drained. He can take it, he can dish it out. I needed to convey my A-game each time.

‘They didn’t understand he was gone’

Joe Lauzon is a UFC veteran and former castmate with Diaz on The Final Fighter 5.

He clearly doesn’t love doing media, however he has gotten higher. I bear in mind after we needed to do the UFC picture shoots for The Final Fighter. The UFC was once horrible about images. Now they take like quarter-hour from while you present as much as while you go away. Nevertheless it used to take like two hours, for those who have been fortunate.

Nate was proper earlier than me and was sick of ready. So he left and ran like 6 miles again to the lodge in Las Vegas. They didn’t understand he was gone for some time and needed to monitor him down, and he made them ship one other automobile to go and choose him up. I used to be dying laughing and knew precisely how he felt.

‘He tossed me round like a rag doll’

Maynard James Keenan is a multiple-Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and musician. He’s finest referred to as the lead singer of Instrument. He’s additionally a Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt.

I’ve rolled Brazilian jiu-jitsu with Nate somewhat bit. Effectively, he rolled on me. He tossed me round like a rag doll. We did what resembled rolling.

While you’re rolling with someone like Nate Diaz — and I’d think about somebody like Demian Maia — it’s a complete completely different degree of understanding of the artwork. I may get into geeky particular stuff, however actually simply watching the transitions. You need to study them and really feel them.

It was fairly the “Holy s—, I’ve a lot to study.” Nate didn’t need to submit me. You’ll be able to see, no matter adjustment he simply made there’s 5 submissions from proper there and he didn’t even trouble taking them. It was simply staring us all within the face and it was like, “Oh god.”

‘Flip off the clock’

Daniel Roberts is a UFC veteran and former Diaz coaching associate.

I used to be staying in his guesthouse for a number of weeks, there to assist him earlier than his combat with Benson Henderson in 2012. I’m a fairly good grappler as nicely. So we have been form of going, and it was a stalemate. He was like, “Who is that this man?” Then he was like, “Flip off the clock.” And finally he handed my guard. He has loopy endurance. That was humorous. No clock. I used to be like, “Oh man.”

And he eats actually wholesome. It was after the combat; I went to McDonald’s. Nick came to visit and was like, “Whose McDonald’s is that?” It was such a shock. Like I simply dedicated a criminal offense or one thing. “Who’s consuming this crap?” I believe I acquired a Gatorade, like Gatorade is wholesome. They have been like, “Who acquired a Gatorade?” I believed I used to be doing good. Nate eats quite a lot of gluten-free stuff. Very clear. Natural. I may style the distinction too, and I felt the distinction once I was on the market.

‘Everybody wants a buddy like Nathan Diaz’

Hernandez remembers a time Diaz displayed the depth of his friendship.

I acquired run over by a automobile in Las Vegas in 2012. I’ve acquired a titanium bar in my leg, and I’m over right here considering I wasn’t going to stroll once more. I needed to go to surgical procedure as a result of it was a compound fracture of my proper femur. I used to be within the hospital for a number of days.

Nathan pops up. I didn’t inform him; he discovered. He took the subsequent flight out, and he introduced me a complete bunch of nutritional vitamins from Entire Meals. He was like, “Don’t take that s—. Don’t take the ache capsules. Take this, as a result of this does this. If you happen to’re feeling some sort of means, hit some weed or one thing.” He introduced me a complete bunch of all-natural herbs, like therapeutic stuff.

It was good to see him. Everybody wants a buddy like Nathan Diaz — everyone. I used to be struggling, working half time and paying lease in a Vegas house round that very same 12 months. He may have gotten his personal lodge room, however he stayed with me. He wished to see what’s up, see how I used to be doing.

“He’s an enormous chief, he’s an enormous captain. However he additionally simply retains everybody actually related. He lights up a room when he is available in. Not simply due to who he’s or what he’s completed, however even earlier than that. He simply had that along with his boys and his group. Till this present day, he retains true to that.”

Gilbert Melendez

He noticed my fridge was empty. He went to Smith’s and acquired groceries. I believed, “Oh, he’s simply going to relax all week.” After which he left the subsequent day. I used to be like, “You’ll be able to take them.” He was like, “Canine, don’t journey. It’s all good.” Simply taking good care of me. He ain’t gotta let you know, he’s simply gonna present you.

‘Nate will set you up like that’

Gracie remembers the day Diaz launched one in all his coaches, Steve Heath, to Kron Gracie, Cesar’s cousin and a UFC fighter and BJJ standout.

Nate knew what was going to occur, which was the humorous half.

Kron had by no means met Steve in his life, and Steve is like, “You Gracies, you guys are overrated.” Kron is like, “Who the hell is that this man?” Steve is like, “You’ve acquired that choke from the again, the rear-naked choke. You suppose it really works. I wager you I can get out of it.”

Kron is an completed grappler. He grabs Steve and he places him within the choke and goes, “OK, on three. One, two …”

Steve had a Taser on him, and he tased Kron’s leg. Nate is on the aspect, laughing. Kron lets go of the choke and begins chasing Steve across the fitness center. They’re going forwards and backwards like a sketch comedy present. Nate will set you up like that.

‘You guys have to purchase some new belts’

Mikey Singh Hothi is a member of the Lodi, California, metropolis council, a pupil of Nate Diaz’s and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt.

Our Brazilian jiu-jitsu fitness center at Nick Diaz Academy is infamous for belts and the way difficult it’s to get one. Lots of people from different gyms have been transferring over to ours as a result of clearly they wished to coach with Nate and Nick. So we’d have a bunch of those blue belts from lesser gyms coming by way of, and we have been form of infamous for demoting them.

There have been three of us white belts on the mat, and there have been three blue belts from completely different gyms that have been there. He had a white belt roll with every of the blue belts from the opposite gyms. And each single blue belt acquired tapped out by a white belt.

Afterwards, he had everyone line up and he mentioned, “OK, everyone take off your belts.” All of us put our belts on the bottom. I used to be like, “Oh my god, that is the second I’m going to get my blue belt.” I used to be actually excited. He came to visit and picked up the three white belts that have been on the bottom and he gave them to the blue belts, like, “OK, you guys have gotta put on these now.”

And he picked up the three blue belts on the bottom, checked out us and was like, “You guys have to purchase some new [white] belts” and simply walked off the mat.

The turning level

‘He figured it out’

Randy Spence is Diaz’s coach, longtime coaching associate and buddy.

Nathan was a soldier. He simply did what he was advised. I believe in the long term it helped him out as a result of he acquired to see all of the intricacies to see how all the things labored.

Then when it was time for him to come back out of his shell and make his transfer, he was somewhat forward of the sport. When the time was proper for him, he was like: I can’t be a soldier, it’s time for me to be the boss.

He made that transfer proper across the Rafael dos Anjos combat in Arizona on Dec. 13, 2014. He’s all the way down to combat dos Anjos, however the circumstances weren’t nice [Diaz lost by unanimous decision]. He was form of harm, and he was like, “I’m going to combat probably the greatest guys on the earth and I’m not likely getting paid.” I believe that was a blessing in disguise. I’d say that’s when he actually took his personal reins and form of ran with it. And he figured it out.

After we went to combat Michael Johnson a 12 months later, I do know it sounds cliché, however he scripted all the things that was going to occur. He knew what he was going to do. He knew he was going to win. He knew when he received, he was going to name out Conor McGregor in a means that couldn’t be denied. That was cool to see him make a mission and make it occur. If one thing may personify Nathan exterior the Octagon, it was that week.

Nick wasn’t preventing as a lot anymore, and Jake wasn’t preventing as a lot anymore. It was form of like a turning of the guard. It was like: I sat again and waited and allow them to run their course. He form of internalized it like: It’s my flip to exit and do what I can do. No person ever held him again. He simply knew it was vast open for him.

The McGregor fights

‘Nate has them consuming out of his hand’

Dave Sholler is the previous UFC vp of public relations, athlete advertising and marketing and growth, and he’s the present govt vp of communications for the Philadelphia 76ers. He remembers the primary information convention for the Diaz-McGregor combat in March 2016. It occurred in UFC Fitness center in Torrance, California, and it got here collectively on brief discover after Diaz accepted the combat to interchange an injured dos Anjos.

What all the time struck me about Nate Diaz was, some guys within the combat sport are actually good at hamming it up and understanding when the pink gentle on the digicam is on. You get 100% genuine Nate Diaz on a regular basis.

I bear in mind there was one specific query someone requested in regards to the payday he was going to get from the pay-per-view, like, “What are you going to do with this career-high payday?” Nate was like, “I don’t know, in all probability simply going to purchase quite a lot of s—.” I don’t suppose individuals understand Nate is definitely actually humorous. And a few of his pure supply is organically humorous, however when he desires to activate the comedic issue, he is aware of how one can do it as nicely.

While you’re within the enterprise of sports activities and leisure, you possibly can really feel within the second when one thing is gold. I seemed out into UFC Fitness center and I noticed all these followers who confirmed up on brief discover, and Nate had them consuming out of his hand. Conor was doing the identical factor.

Then comes the stare-down. It’s one of many coolest stare-downs I’ve ever been part of. You will have these two guys who’re chock-full of emotion, there’s clearly animosity. It’s a packed home, two crews coming collectively — Eire versus Stockton, California. I bear in mind considering, “If one thing goes down right here, that is going to be not solely one of many craziest issues to occur in UFC historical past, however I’m unsure we’re going to have the ability to regain management.”

‘I’m getting demise threats from followers’

Jon Anik is the pinnacle UFC play-by-play announcer and was the No. 2 broadcaster in that function earlier than Diaz’s UFC 196 combat with McGregor in March 2016. Anik remembers the commotion created when he talked on his podcast earlier than that combat about getting a 209 tattoo as an homage to the Diaz brothers, whose hometown of Stockton has a 209 space code.

I mentioned on the podcast that if Nate Diaz can beat Conor McGregor with subsequent to no actual preparation, I’m going to get this 209 tattoo. Then I mentioned on the present, I’d get it anyway simply out of respect for what these guys meant to martial arts.

I didn’t count on that this might unfold like wildfire. I definitely didn’t count on that this might register on Nate Diaz’s radar through the pay-per-view week. What started as a enjoyable podcast bit acquired interpreted as a tough prediction by the backup play-by-play man towards Nate Diaz.

I’m sitting at dwelling and he says on the postfight press convention, “Jon Anik higher get a motherf—ing 209 tattoo or I’m going to whoop his little ass.” I’m getting demise threats from followers. Like, “If you happen to don’t get that f—ing tattoo, I’m going to come back there and provides it to you myself.”

Candidly, as soon as it drew Nate’s ire to no matter diploma, I used to be getting the tattoo, win or lose. So it clearly made for a greater story that he received the combat. The tattoo on my left arm was inked 5 days later.

I bear in mind a number of months later seeing him for the primary time since I acquired the tattoo, and he requested to see it. I believe it was a fast burying of the hatchet. He understood that in the end this was not me taking a shot at him. He couldn’t have been extra heat and cordial about the entire thing when he simply may have taken it personally.

‘Possibly Hollywood Boulevard Superman goes to get slugged’

Sal Iacono is a author and character on “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!” who’s recognized finest as Cousin Sal.

We’ve a bit the place we interview individuals on the road and get them to say dangerous issues about someone, after which that someone is correct there to faucet them on the shoulder. Usually they flip round and so they’re like, “Uh-oh, sorry, I didn’t imply it” or, “I didn’t say something.” However now we have it on tape and we run it again.

After we did it with Nate earlier than his second combat with Conor McGregor in 2016, it was loopy. We form of cold-called and acquired individuals from gyms and native MMA academies. We had individuals come all the way down to Hollywood Boulevard. So we had quite a lot of fitness center rats on the market with quite a lot of bravado. Lots of speaking trash towards Nate. Then Nate, excellent to the bit, comes up from behind and faucets the man on the shoulder. They usually saved going — like idiots. Like, “Yeah, I mentioned that, and I imply it. Yeah, I mentioned you have been gonna get your ass kicked. You received’t get out of the primary spherical.” I’m like, “What the hell is occurring right here?” If Nate tapped me on the shoulder, I’d run straight into site visitors and hope I acquired hit by a double-decker tour bus proper there on Hollywood Boulevard. These persons are standing as much as him much more.

He was a great sport on the primary one, after which the second, he’s like, “Hey, what’s occurring right here?” After which by the third one, it’s like, “I’m not going to maintain doing this all day until I get to hit them.” Then it turned on me. I’m the prankster of “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!” I bear in mind for a great half-hour explaining, “Dude, no. I’m sorry. I do not know why that is going the best way it’s.” I didn’t know who he was going to take it out on. I used to be like, perhaps Hollywood Boulevard Superman goes to get slugged within the jaw.

I felt dangerous for Nate as a result of he didn’t know what to do. His pure intuition with somebody calling him out is to simply elbow the man within the jaw after which be completed with it. He was sensible sufficient to understand that wasn’t the best way to go on this scenario. For a minute, he thought we put them as much as it. “Kimmel Dwell!” doing a prank present and he perhaps thought he was double-crossed. So now I’m the man in peril, making an attempt to clarify to him, “No, no, no, these are a bunch of a–holes. I don’t know why they appear to be so courageous on this scenario.” I by no means, ever thought that might be the result for the bit.

‘Let’s begin the present’

Chris Avila is a former UFC fighter and a Diaz protégé.

I bear in mind going to the UFC 202 press convention, and Nate was on time. They have been saying Conor is late. Nate was like, “I don’t care, let’s begin the present.” Dana White was like, “We’ve gotta begin; it doesn’t matter who’s late.” The press convention began, and Nate is okay with it. Conor is making an attempt to tug one in all Nick or Nate’s strikes [by being late], clearly. Nate is doing the convention, and Conor walks in.

Then I see Nate begin getting up. Conor sat down like, “Oh, I’m right here.” Proper when Conor sits down, he begins making an attempt to behave all cool and humorous, like he was the present. I noticed Nate rise up and begin strolling out, like, “F— this s—.” He began strolling out and made Conor really feel silly.

Nate had a water bottle at one level, and I believe he threw it at McGregor teammate Dillon Danis and hit Danis. They threw a bottle again at us. Then another person threw a bottle, then they threw one other bottle. There have been simply water bottles throughout for some cause.

Transferring the needle

‘The nicest man ever’

Travis Barker is the drummer for the punk rock band Blink-182 and a longtime MMA fan.

I filmed a video with TrippyThaKid and Lil Wayne, and Nate simply occurred to be in L.A. He simply frolicked and was within the video. Didn’t want any particular care, didn’t ask for something.

These are my favourite individuals. You’re not the loudest individuals within the room. Only a nice cling.

It might be so completely different if I didn’t know Nate, as a result of I’d simply be like, “I wager that man has a chip on his shoulder.” He’s simply so misunderstood. I believe the baddest motherf—ers are like that, although. They’re not gonna discuss loads or be uncontrolled or be aggressive. Not till you push their buttons otherwise you do one thing out of pocket do you witness that. He’s the traditional instance of that. Significantly, the nicest man ever. The sweetest man.

‘I acquired the president coming down right here’

Spence remembers the time President Donald Trump attended UFC 244: Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz at Madison Sq. Backyard.

It was the primary time the president of america ever got here to a UFC combat. Nathan was like, “I acquired the president coming down right here; it is a massive deal.” Nathan was stoked on it.

We needed to take the lengthy option to the sector as a result of they needed to block off some blocks for the president. To not make us wait, they wished him there at 3 o’clock. Nathan doesn’t function that means. He was like, “Nah.” He wouldn’t have fought till midnight. It wasn’t price it, so we simply hoofed it. We acquired an enormous police escort. We walked about three blocks to the sector. He stopped and talked to everyone on his means in.

After we acquired there, we have been about to go to our dressing room, however that’s when the president was arriving. So we needed to wait within the hallway for nearly 40 minutes to attend for the president to stroll by way of. I don’t know what his political opinions are and all that, however the president principally got here to observe Nathan combat. That’s fairly cool.