How did Nate Diaz become a massive star without winning the UFC title


How did Nate Diaz become a massive star without winning the UFC title

Nate Diaz smoking weed before his open training

Nate Diaz is one of the biggest MMA stars in the world and there’s no argument about that. For someone with such a huge fanbase who are “ride-or-die” for the Diaz brother, one would assume he must’ve had a few titles under his resume. But that’s where Nate is seperate from the pack.

If one were to go by the books, Nate has a very average record in his career with 21 wins and 12 losses. He is neither won a world title to solidify the argument of a great fighter. But one thing that he is, a veteran of the game. Nathan Diaz had his first professional fight in the year 2004 following the footsteps of his older brother, Nick Diaz. Nate’s name has rung familiar in the ears forever in the MMA community.

Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz

The Diaz brother has an extremely gruesome and brawler kind of fighting style that almost everyone in the sport loves to watch. Most of his fans were the fans he gained at the start of his career. Nate Diaz arguably has the best conditioning and endurance in the sport. Every fight he takes part in he makes it seem like a “blood and guts” fight. And then there is the trash-talking and “I don’t give a f*ck” attitude that he has which lays a lot of eyes on him.

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Almost every fight of Nate Diaz has been really entertaining and UFC or MMA fans would kill to watch an entertaining fighter like Nate. There is also the added perk of being Nick Diaz’s brother given that Nick is possibly the most controversial fighter in the history of UFC. Both the brothers also gained a huge fan base for advocating marijuana in the UFC.

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Fights that made Nate Diaz one of the biggest stars in UFC

McGregor vs Diaz
McGregor vs Diaz

Fighting Conor McGregor was one of the biggest difference for Nate. While he was still a huge star, Conor is undoubtedly the most popular fighter. This fight gave Diaz the exposure he needed to become a superstar. Not only were the build up to the fights amazing, Nate Diaz actually got the better of the Irishman. This made the Diaz brother extend his fan base to a larger part of the world.

The Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor fights are in the top 5 most buys for pay-per-view and that should explain enough how Nate got bigger than he already was. Nate showed that he was fearless and would fight no matter how bloody and gushy it got. Having to submit McGregor was a huge deal then. Another fight that got him great exposure is the fight against Jorge Masvidal.

Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal
Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal

Nate called out Masvidal for being the only gangster in the game other than him. Both the fighters fought it out for the “baddest motherf*cker belt” which was promoted at a crazy level that got a lot of people to tune into that fight. Even Hollywood superstar, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson played a role in it. Now Nate is back to fight after two years against Leon Edwards at UFC 263.

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Also read: How many times Nate Diaz has been finished in his MMA career?