Few fighters have sparked as much conversation outside the cage as Nate Diaz, and that’s saying something for a guy who once choked Conor McGregor. After a 15-year run in the UFC, the Stockton native walked away from the promotion in 2022 and stepped into the boxing ring, leaving fans wondering what’s next. This is the full picture: why he left, what he tested positive for, and what his career actually looks like on paper.
Record: 22-13-0 ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in ·
Weight: 170 lb ·
Reach: 76 in ·
Status: Free agent
Quick snapshot
- Exact reason for leaving UFC — contract dispute or desire for boxing
- Whether he will return to MMA or continue boxing
- His exact net worth — estimates vary widely across sources
- Free agency declared late 2022, boxing debut against Jake Paul in 2023 (talkSPORT)
- Last fight listed as a Most Valuable Promotions bout on May 16, 2026 (FightMatrix)
- No confirmed fight announced as of early 2025
- Diaz remains a major draw in both MMA and boxing free agency markets
Eight facts that define Nate Diaz’s career at a glance — one pattern: consistency across a long career with a late-career shift to boxing.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nathan Donald Diaz |
| Nickname | Nate Diaz |
| Born | April 16, 1985 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 170 lb |
| Reach | 76 in |
| Record | 22-13-0 |
| Status | Free agent |
Why Is Nate Diaz No Longer in the UFC?
Nate Diaz was officially removed from the UFC roster and became a free agent on November 29, 2022, according to CBS Sports, the longtime MMA news outlet. His final fight under the UFC banner was a submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 on September 10, 2022 (DAZN).
Contract expiration and free agency
- Diaz fought out his UFC contract at UFC 279 and was removed from the roster, CBS Sports reported.
- talkSPORT noted that Diaz’s UFC exclusivity period expired after a three-month negotiation window, opening the door for boxing offers.
Last UFC fight and aftermath
- Diaz submitted Ferguson with a guillotine choke in the fourth round, capping his UFC career at 16-11 inside the Octagon, per Sherdog.
- The win gave him momentum heading into free agency, but he chose boxing over a new MMA contract.
Diaz walked away from the UFC at a moment when his stock was rising — a submission win over a top contender — but rather than re-sign, he bet on himself as a free agent in a new sport. That bet paid off with a boxing payday, but cost him any chance at an MMA title run.
The implication: Diaz prioritized financial flexibility over a belt chase, a gamble that has kept him visible but titleless.
What Did Nate Diaz Test Positive For?
Nate Diaz tested positive for marijuana metabolites in 2015, a finding that triggered a suspension but did not end his career. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) flagged the result after his UFC 202 rematch with Conor McGregor in August 2015.
Marijuana positive test
- Diaz was fined and suspended for 90 days by CSAC after the positive test for marijuana metabolites (ESPN).
- The suspension converted to a fine, allowing Diaz to continue fighting.
Passing subsequent drug tests
- In 2023, before his boxing match against Jake Paul, Diaz passed all required drug tests, the UFC announced (DAZN).
- No other performance-enhancing drug failures appear on his record across both UFC and boxing commissions.
The 2015 marijuana result became a cultural flashpoint — Diaz famously used weed openly, and the test failure galvanized fans who saw it as a trivial violation. But for athletic commissions, the issue remains: marijuana is still a banned in-competition substance under WADA rules.
The pattern: Diaz’s drug-test history is a single blemish that never cost him a fight, yet it cemented his anti-establishment image.
Has Nate Diaz Ever Won a Title?
Nate Diaz has never won a UFC championship. MMA Index said Diaz had not won a world championship despite notable UFC accomplishments.
UFC title history
- Diaz challenged for the UFC lightweight championship once — against Benson Henderson in 2012 — and lost by unanimous decision (Wikiwand).
- He never received a welterweight title shot despite a win over Conor McGregor in 2016.
Accolades and achievements
- Diaz has won multiple Fight of the Night bonuses and Submission of the Night awards.
- He holds the record for most submission wins in UFC welterweight history.
The pattern: Diaz is one of the most famous fighters without a belt. His submission of McGregor at UFC 196 made him a mainstream star, but a title shot never materialized.
Who Did Nate Diaz Have a Baby With?
Nate Diaz’s girlfriend is Misty Brown. She gave birth to the couple’s first child, a daughter, in 2022, according to multiple entertainment and sports news outlets (Sportskeeda).
Misty Brown
- Little is publicly known about Brown — she stays out of the media spotlight.
- She has been seen at Diaz’s fights, including his boxing match against Jake Paul.
Nate Diaz’s children
- Diaz has at least one child, a daughter born in 2022.
- He has not publicly discussed having additional children.
What this means: Diaz keeps his personal life private, with only his immediate family occasionally appearing in the public eye.
Who Is the Only UFC Fighter Who Never Bled?
It is often said that Nate Diaz has never bled in a UFC fight, though this claim is an exaggeration rather than documented fact. He has been visibly cut at least once — during his bout against Jim Miller in 2012, a doctor checked a cut near his eye. Still, Diaz’s reputation for rarely bleeding is rooted in a real pattern: he has gone most of his career without significant facial cuts.
Nate Diaz’s durability
- Diaz’s defensive style relies on shoulder rolls, long reach (76 inches), and a high-volume boxing guard that protects his face.
- He has absorbed more strikes than most active fighters without suffering cuts, according to UFCStats.
The myth of never bleeding
- The legend grew from his 2016 fight with McGregor, during which Diaz taunted him, “I’m not bleedin’!” — a line that became a meme.
- FightMatrix data shows Diaz has been in 35 professional MMA fights; only a handful involved cuts.
Diaz’s durability is his most underrated weapon. While other fighters crumble under pressure, his granite chin and refusal to back down define his brand. The trade-off: that same bravado gets him into trouble when he eats clean shots from power punchers.
The catch: Diaz’s “never bleed” reputation is more myth than fact, but his ability to absorb punishment remains a legitimate edge.
Timeline signal
- April 16, 1985: Born in Stockton, California.
- 2004: Professional MMA debut on October 21 (FightMatrix).
- 2007: UFC debut on June 23 (MMA Index).
- 2015: First fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 196 — Diaz wins by submission (Spanish Wikipedia).
- 2016: Rematch at UFC 202 — McGregor wins by majority decision (Spanish Wikipedia).
- 2022: Last UFC fight on September 10; submits Tony Ferguson at UFC 279.
- 2022: Officially removed from UFC roster on November 29; becomes free agent (talkSPORT).
- 2023: Boxing debut against Jake Paul on August 5; loses by unanimous decision (DAZN).
The pattern: Each major shift in Diaz’s career aligns with a public declaration of independence, from leaving the UFC to entering boxing.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Nate Diaz is a free agent — not signed to any promotion as of early 2025 (CBS Sports).
- He has a professional record of 22-13-0 (UFCStats).
- He is 6 ft 0 in tall with a 76-inch reach.
- He has a girlfriend, Misty Brown, and a daughter (Sportskeeda).
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for leaving UFC — contract dispute or desire for boxing.
- Whether he will return to MMA or continue boxing.
- His exact net worth — estimates vary widely across sources.
- Discrepancy between English Wikipedia (21-14) and Spanish Wikipedia (22-13) for his MMA record — source: Spanish Wikipedia.
What this means: Diaz’s official record is consistent across authoritative sources, but language-based discrepancies highlight the need for careful verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nate Diaz’s net worth?
Nate Diaz’s net worth is estimated at around $8-10 million, according to sports finance databases. He earned significant paydays from his two fights with Conor McGregor and his boxing match with Jake Paul. Exact figures are not publicly disclosed.
Is Nate Diaz related to Nick Diaz?
Yes. Nick Diaz is Nate Diaz’s older brother. Both are professional MMA fighters from Stockton, California, and both train under Cesar Gracie Fight Team.
How old is Nate Diaz?
Nate Diaz was born on April 16, 1985, making him 39 years old as of early 2025.
What fighting style does Nate Diaz use?
Diaz fights primarily as a boxer with a strong jiu-jitsu base. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie and is known for his submission skills on the ground.
Did Nate Diaz fight Conor McGregor?
Yes. Diaz fought McGregor twice: at UFC 196 in March 2016 (Diaz won by submission), and at UFC 202 in August 2016 (McGregor won by majority decision).
What is Nate Diaz’s next fight?
As of early 2025, Nate Diaz has no confirmed fight scheduled. He is a free agent and has not announced his next bout.
Where is Nate Diaz from?
Nate Diaz is from Stockton, California, frequently referring to his “209” area code in interviews and social media.
Does Nate Diaz train with his brother?
Yes, Diaz trains with his brother Nick Diaz at the Cesar Gracie Fight Team academy in California. Both are longtime members of the gym.
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.