UFC star Nate Diaz claimed his first pro boxing victory over fellow UFC man Jorge Masvidal in a majority decision in Anaheim, California.
The 10-round light heavyweight fight at California’s Honda Center in Anaheim, was scored 95-95, 97-93, 98-92 by the judges in somewhat controversial fashion as it seemed the call really could have gone either way.
While Diaz landed a greater number of punches on his opponent, Masvidal’s punches were far more potent and heavier.
But the judges in Diaz’s home state of California, sided with the UFC veteran.
‘It feels good to get the job done for sure,’ he said, adding, ‘Mission accomplished. I can feel the love out here in Cali every time, shout out California it’s all love.’
Diaz and Masvidal traded more than 1,400 punches throughout the 10 round fight in Anaheim
Diaz lands a fierce blow to Masvidal’s head, but it was the Floridian who made heavier punches
Masvidal guards himself from yet another Diaz punch as the Californian took victory at home
After the fight, Masvidal, who was making his first appearance in the ring since 2005, had his hand raised seemingly in expectation of victory. But as the result was declared he was left bemoaning the decision.
‘I thought I won,’ Masvidal said. ‘I thought I hit the harder shots. He did land more volume. But I definitely thought I landed the way, way better shots.’
This was Diaz’s first boxing victory after his defeat by Jake Paul in August 2023 in Dallas, Texas, and he launched into another expletive filled rant, demanding another fight against the YouTuber.
‘I’m going to beat Jake Paul’s f***ing a**, and I’m down to fight the highest ranked boxer I can find, I don’t know who the f*** he is,’ Diaz declared.
Paul responded on X, writing that Diaz had ‘ducked’ a $15 million offer for an MMA match.
This wasn’t the first time in the past week that Diaz had courted controversy with an expletive-laden rant either.
At the pre-fight press conference in Anaheim on Wednesday, he launched into an expletive-filled, homophobic tirade at a social media influencer and streamer.
Diaz and Masdvidal face off at the weigh in on Friday where both made the 175-pound weight
The streamer, N3ON (pictured), at the press conference before Diaz launched into his rant
The streamer, N3ON. who had been accompanied by a protection detail, provocatively asked Diaz: ‘When you do get knocked out are you gonna retire?’.
Diaz soon shouted a reply: ‘That little b**** boy? Little p****, f*****,’ Diaz said. ‘I’m gonna kick you in your f***ing leg, mother***er. Hey, f*** you!’
The influencer was then chased out of the press conference seemingly by a group of men from Diaz’s entourage.