Nate Diaz claims Leon Edwards is ‘best thing in UFC right now’; eyes potential rematch

Nate Diaz praises former opponent Leon Edwards as the best thing in the UFC right now at latest press conference.


Nate Diaz claims Leon Edwards is ‘best thing in UFC right now’; eyes potential rematch

Nate Diaz praises Leon Edwards (Image via Imago)

Nate Diaz recently spoke highly of Leon Edwards at his recent press conference. Diaz declared the welterweight champion the best thing currently in the UFC. He even talked about a potential rerun after their previous encounter at UFC 263.

Nate Diaz was at a press conference for his upcoming showdown against Jorge Masvidal in the boxing ring. It has almost been three years since the two faced off in the octagon. Talking about his former opponent, Diaz said:

The coolest thing right now from the UFC is Leon Edwards. That’s who I got my sights on. I like that – I like that fight, right now. And I think he’s doing great. I think he’s probably the best thing in the UFC, right now.
Nate Diaz at the pre-fight press conference
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Diaz believes Edwards has only gotten better since they last met in 2021. The Stockton native approved of the welterweight champion as a good fighter with a good attitude. The two last met at UFC 263 where Edwards walked off with a unanimous decision win against the UFC veteran. It was a close battle and if only Diaz had more time in that final round, the outcome could have been something different.

However, the two went on separate ways thereafter. Diaz fought one more time against Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 before taking his exit from the UFC. Meanwhile, Edwards went on to beat Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title and now has two title defenses under his belt. Nate Diaz will now enter a rematch against his former BMF opponent Jorge Masvidal. However, this time it is a 10-round boxing match in the light heavyweight category at the Kia Forum this June in Inglewood, California.

Jorge Masvidal exposes Nate Diaz’s list of demands at a recent press conference

Former UFC veteran Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal just had a face-off for their upcoming showdown in June. The first press conference went without any hiccups although a few verbal slurs were exchanged. However, what was interesting was the list of demands Nate Diaz had without which he would not fight.

Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal boxing match
Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal boxing match ( Image via Imago )

Diaz reportedly wants to walk out second and wants his name above Masvidal on the posters. These demands were made clear as non-negotiables, which got Jorge Masvidal thinking if Nate Diaz even wanted to fight. Masvidal revealed:

He said he wouldn't fight unless he walked out second, none negotiable. What the f***k are you talking about?! Real Fighters Inc. and this is the s**t you're pulling? I've got a list of s**t that I'm gonna drop… Another thing he wanted was his name on top or he wouldn't fight. I'm like, do you want to fight or what, motherf**ker?! 'Cause you've been telling the whole world the same s**t.
Jorge Masvidal at the pre-fight press conference

Masvidal and Diaz’s first encounter in the octagon was at UFC 244 back in 2019. Masvidal inflicted a serious cut on Diaz which forced the doctor to declare him unable to continue. Thus, Jorge Masvidal won the BMF title via TKO and even though Diaz pushed for an MMA rematch, it never happened. Now finally after all these years, it will be interesting to see if Nate Diaz can avenge his loss or if Masvidal remains the decisive winner.

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