Nathan Donald Diaz (born April 16, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist and professional boxer who is currently a free agent. Diaz gained prominence during his extensive career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he fought for over 15 years and won The Ultimate Fighter 5. Before joining the UFC, he competed in organizations such as World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and Pancrase. Diaz holds the distinction of having the third most UFC bonus awards, with a total of 16.
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Nate Diaz Net Worth
Nate Diaz has a net worth of $8 million. For his fight against Conor McGregor, Diaz received a $2 million appearance fee, $250,000 from a Reebok sponsorship, and $50,000 as a Fight of the Night bonus.
Additionally, he earned $150,000 for attending an after-party. His most significant earnings came from a share of the pay-per-view (PPV) revenue, amounting to $10.5 million. In total, Diaz earned $13 million from that fight, while Conor McGregor earned $15 million.
Early Life
Nate Diaz, born in 1985 in Stockton, California, is of Mexican-American descent. He began training in martial arts with his older brother Nick at age 11 and attended Tokay High School in Lodi.
Diaz started his professional career in World Extreme Cagefighting, winning his debut fight in 2004 against Alejandro Garcia. In 2006, he lost to Hermes França in the WEC Lightweight Championship bout. He also competed in Pancrase and Strikeforce before gaining prominence in the UFC.
Career
Nate Diaz made his UFC debut in 2007 on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5, winning the lightweight competition by defeating Rob Emerson, Gray Maynard, and Manvel Gamburyan. Early in his UFC career, he defeated Alvin Robinson and Junior Assunção but later lost to Clay Guida.
In 2010, Diaz moved to welterweight, winning his debut fight against Rory Markham by TKO. He also defeated Marcus Davis and Donald Cerrone. Despite losses to Dong Hyun Kim and Rory MacDonald, Diaz rebounded with victories over Takanori Gomi and Conor McGregor, with his win against McGregor securing his ninth UFC submission victory.
Personal Life
In 2012, Nate Diaz earned his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Cesar Gracie’s facility in Pleasant Hill, California. He and his brother run the Nick Diaz Academy, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu school in Stockton.
The Diaz brothers also founded Game Up Nutrition, a CBD company, and partnered with California Finest to produce a licensed line of marijuana pre-rolls. Diaz and his girlfriend, Misty Brown, have a daughter named Nikayla.
What happened to Nate Diaz’s wife?
Tragically, before Nate’s professional MMA debut, his girlfriend, Stephanie, died by suicide. This traumatic event deeply affected Diaz, who would visit her grave daily, promising to become the fighter she believed he could be.
Conclusion
Nate Diaz’s journey, filled with highs and lows, is a testament to his resilience and dedication. As he embarks on new adventures outside the UFC, fans eagerly anticipate his next steps.
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FAQ about Nate Diaz
- How did Nate Diaz begin his career?
Diaz started in the UFC in 2006 and quickly made a name by winning The Ultimate Fighter 5. - What is Nate Diaz’s current net worth?
As of 2023, it’s estimated to be around $8 million. - Is Nate Diaz still fighting?
Yes, he recently announced a boxing match against Jake Paul. - Has Nate Diaz ever won a UFC championship?
While he’s had many notable victories, a UFC championship has eluded him. - Is Nate Diaz still with the UFC?
No, after completing his contract, he parted ways with the UFC.
