MMA Fighting - The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Episode 380

Episode Date: May 3, 2017

On this special edition of The MMA Hour, Ariel Helwani speaks to UFC superstar Nate Diaz almost exactly one year after his last appearance on the show. Diaz discusses his future, fighting Tony Ferguson next, Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather, if he wants a trilogy fight with McGregor, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The meeting will begin when passenger Fisher is done celebrating. 19 plus Ontario only. Please play responsibly. Concerned by your gambling or that if someone close, you, call 1-8665-3-3-2-60 or visit comex Ontario.ca. It's the mixed martial arts hour with a mixed martial arts hour back in your life on this Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017. Hello again, everyone. I'm Ariel Hawani back inside our New York City studio. Truth be told, my friends, when I said goodbye to all of you 48 hours ago on Monday after that crazy show with Anderson Silva and Yel Romero, Megan Anderson, Chris Cyborg, Dominion. to cruise, T.J. Dillishaw, you know what happened. I did not expect to be back here 48 hours later doing another episode of the MMA hour. But, as you may recall, 344 days ago, we did a special Wednesday edition of the show. It was a one hour, so 70 minutes to be exact, episode. It was

true to our name, The MMA Hour, and it was with one guest and one guest only. It was with Nate Diaz. And at the time, Nate was kind of in limbo. You remember the rematch with Connor McGregor? We didn't know if it was going to happen. There was a lot to discuss. Well, a whole year later, almost exactly 365 days later, we are back on a Wednesday for a very special one hour edition of the MMA hour with one of the biggest names in the sport today. Top three, top two. We can argue it all day long. A true superstar. and mixed martial arts, and we have been trying to talk to him for quite some time. To be honest, it has been since UFC 202 back in August.

I've been trying to talk to Nate Diaz. The time is now. The time is right. We are going to talk to him in a matter of seconds about everything that is going on with his career, with his life, with his fighting future, everything under the sun. One-on-one. Nate Diaz, round two. It's going down on this Wednesday afternoon.

So let us not waste any more time. Let us go to the Skype machine and let us welcome in via the Magico Skype, Stockton's own. Mr. 209, Mr. Nate Diaz. Yo, yo. How are you, Nate? I'm good. How are you doing? It feels like we just did this. Doesn't it feel like that?

It was the other day. Yeah, was the other day. Same house, same place. Same rap time, same rap channel. Well, I can't thank you. enough. Really, honestly, this means a lot that you would come on the show again. I have been hounding you and your team to come back long before today, but I appreciate it. And I like the fact that it's almost exactly one year later. I like that very much because there's a lot to discuss.

Before we get into things, though, let me wish you a belated happy birthday. 32 years young, April 16th, right? Yeah, April 16th, just passed. How did we celebrate? Anything fun? No, I just had a normal Tuesday or Sunday or whatever it was. That's crazy the day like normal. Nothing out of the ordinary. No special. I was actually in Hawaii, actually. Okay.

It wasn't for my birthday. I wasn't in Hawaii. I was just in Hawaii, and it happened to be my birthday. So I guess it was pretty cool then. With Yancey Maderos and company. I was out there with him hanging out, doing a little bit of training and a little bit of kicking it. It was good. And you were also recently at the cannabis club.

cup. Can you explain to me? I'm not really familiar. What is the cannabis cup? Is this like an athletic endeavor or is it more of a sort of convention? Yeah, it's like a convention. Like a big festival. There's a lot of everybody's out to promote their strains

and their companies and stuff. And then there's a lot of like people with strains, famous people, they got a lot of rappers out there pushing their strains of weed out there and making sales and marketing and stuff. It's pretty cool.

I just went out there to meet and talk to a bunch of people and do some greetings and stuff. Me and Nick, and it was a lot of fun. I've never been invited to a cannabis cup. Hopefully one day, maybe we can go together. I haven't had to. Yes. You can go with me next time. Yes.

But you don't have to smoke. Smoked them. Good weed. Well, I don't know about that. We won't tell nobody else. We'll keep it on a down. My mom would be very difficult. That's under the record.

Off the record. That's right. Okay, well, let's be on the record here because, as I said, there is a lot to discuss with you, and you have remained essentially since that second fight against... We're going to get you hell high at that thing, you're going to me wandering around. I'm like, what's going on? I got children. And what an interview that would be then, right? It would be great. By the rule.

Why have you remained pretty much quiet since last year? I mean, you've popped up here and there, you've done a couple of interviews, but for the most part, even though you're... your name is very much in the news almost every week. You haven't said much. How come? Yeah, you know, there's been a lot of pressure, but he's calling me and texting me and asking me this. There's a lot of clickbait with my name running around.

And it's because there's not really much going on in MMA, I believe. You know, I've seen rumors about my brother fighting people. And I've seen rumors about me fighting people, but we haven't done much talking to anybody. so I think they just need something to go on no one's doing anything and the truth is coming out

I think that they're starting to if they can't get us in they're going to start making up rumors about us to get some hype going who is they who do you think is starting these rumors whatever

the media the U.S. whoever they need something to go on because there's not shit going on in the MMA right now, you know. Everything's kind of boring. Everybody's complaining like they should be, but they're a little late on board with the complaining. I think it's getting stagnant out there, so they need to talk about the hottest shit in the game.

And that's me and my brother. So, but yeah, everybody's been hitting me up to what's next, what's up with what? And I'm just sitting back watching it all go down. It's kind of funny. A lot has changed since we last talked. Of course, the UFC sold for $4 billion. There's no Lorenzo Fertita around, no Joe Silva.

I mean, the company is completely different. How do you feel about the current state of the sport? I think, honestly, I think that I think Dana and Lorenzo, they had plots and a lot of stuff. This is just my thought. I could be wrong. Sure. I think they have a lot figured out.

a lot, a lot, I think they had a plan for everything that was going to happen, you know, like if this guy won, they wouldn't do this

in the future, if this guy did this. I think they had a long, drawn out, a plan. I think they planned ahead. And I think since, um,

since the company was bought, I think, uh, they're kind of just, they're just kind of, uh, letting everything linger a little bit. And they're not as,

not as stressed out as, as Lauren don't do anyone. That's just my thigh, you know? So they're kind of just like, I'm wondering if, They're waiting for shit to go down and flying to try to do a massive pickup, you know, which is probably happening now with us.

They're starting to rumors that were fighting. So, I don't know. You think they're going to try to buy the company back? No, I'm saying, I'm saying I think that Dana and Lorenzo, I think they knew what they were doing. And I think the guys now are just kind of owning it and just sent back. Okay. And they have as many plans as, uh, as learned their dinner. were ready for everything, I believe.

Yeah. When you hear... I think right now they're kind of just winging and letting it sit, and I think when it's going down, I think they're going to be like, we need to make some big happen. And who knows, maybe some major's going to happen. I don't know. How would you describe the current state of your relationship with the UFC brass? We're cool.

I met the owner in UFC and Sack and what's his name, Ari. Ari Eammanuel, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I think, yeah, I think me and my brother met him. It was real cool. He came up talking about races and nutrition and stuff. And he had a lot of questions. So it was cool that he knew who we were and was, like, interested in the situation.

So we're all cool. Everything's all good with this. We haven't talked much. But we're pretty cool right now. What about with Dana White? That's what I mean. Dana White, yeah, we haven't talked too much. That's what I'm saying.

Like, I wonder, I wonder what's their deal and what, uh, what they want to do. I don't know. I'm hearing rumors in. I feel a lot of pressure people that are telling me this. I'm fighting Ferguson and I'm doing this and Connors and sit out and Connors' managers sitting there, send me and impress somebody. I'm like, dude, what the fuck? You guys need to fight each other and impress me.

The real goal is right here, you know. I'm not going to sit. I'm not going to go fight anybody. because I'm hearing rumors about it, you know what I'm saying? Right. And no one's contacting me, so it's crazy. It's crazy what's going on. Are you surprised, given the current state of the sport with, you know, the,

for lack of a better word, like the lack of stars right now and big money fighters and big draws that they haven't reached out to you, that they haven't tried to open that line of communication, that they haven't tried to bring you back. They've got a big show coming up in July. they've got another one coming up, you know, right after in Anaheim, which is close to where you're from. Are you surprised that there hasn't been more talk? Yeah, I think they are trying to bring us back in, but I think they're kind of trying to put the press.

Everybody's trying to put the pressure on us with these rumors and stuff. Okay. But I'm not taking the bait, you know? I'm like, I'm planning on sitting out this year and, and, and, and, um, either by now there's nothing going on, and I'm not fine nobody. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. And I think that fucking, the pressure is not going to get to me. If you guys want me to fight, if you guys want me to fight somebody,

all you got to do is calling ass. But as right now, I'm cool with what I'm doing. I got my race season going on, like my brother. We've got a real competitive race season going on. We've got a lot of races to do. And I'm enjoying just chilling, man. And that's what we fight for, I believe, is to make it to the time to what we don't have to do. anything, you know?

Why do you fight for? You fight for freedom, free time. You know, so I'm sitting back, and I'm watching it go down. So if they want, if they want me to fight, like, only it's going to take... First of all, I want some goddamn compliments. I haven't had one compliment since I beat

Conno McGregor. All I've had with dizzes, you know what I'm saying? They're trying to pressure me to fight. Tony Ferguson, but... But what the fuck I'm going to cover for Conn McGregor and do his... work while he's out making and fucking millions of dollars uh,

buying boxes and shit. So I'm not covering for you, bro. You guys fight each other. I heard, I heard, I heard, uh, Tony's manager talking, saying that I need to get a fire up under Connor McGregor's ass if I want to fight him

for the third time. Like, I don't want to, I got to do what? You guys, you guys could fight each other motherfucker. You guys got the same manager. you guys got the same manager you guys are working together against me you guys need me to do the work for you fuck off you guys fight each other

and fucking whatever I don't even believe that I don't even know what to think about the Mayweather or Connor fight is that happening who knows I hear it's happening I hear it's not happening I'm calling their bluff

I say fight that motherfucker already and then they're both claiming to behead horses in the game and fucking running the show but it was all talking hype but all of a sudden it came to a hall and everybody's quiet. And then I hear, I see a click-based site today with, with Mayweather explaining how Connor could beat him.

Like, what are you guys working together? This is a bunch of phony fake shit, and I'm not fucking buying it. So it's like, uh... And then you got fucking Ferguson started talking shit to me the other day, I think, on your show or something. Why did you let him talk shit? Why don't you hit that motherfucker? What's that? Who, Ferguson?

Oh, you... You understand. People talk on your show, huh? Listen, it's an open... It's an open forum. Yeah, yeah. Okay, open mic, Matt. I'm just talking shit.

But he's talking shit. Was that on your show? Well, he... That was on your show. He talked right after 209. He also spoke to ESPN.com. He's been on UFC tonight. He's been campaigning for you

rather aggressively as of late. Slightly aggressively. Okay. Slightly aggressively. And then it's funny to me, the tall people game on this for a second. Okay. It's funny to me how...

It's funny to me how... It's funny to me how all of a sudden, out of nowhere, Connor McGregor, I mean, yeah, his manager is on here saying, I need a light of fire up under Connor's ass if I want that third fight. Okay, for one, I never, ever said I was waiting for a third fight with Connor McGregor. I never said that. But people tell you what they wanted and said that I want another fight with Connor. Look, I already whipped Conner's fuck.

fucking ass and fucking and uh so he should want to fight with me what the fuck I gotta blow up by the head's ass you got the same manager as fucking Tony Ferguson you guys are working together now I'm gonna say team are we against each other

what the fuck's going on so it's like I'm not gonna fucking you try to manipulate me and a fine person that's your guy I'm gonna fucking you guys fight each other and you guys the winner could have a crack at me dude Connor's the fucking bitch he fucking got it, the ass whip, he got choked, and now he's justifying it because the decision

went to him because the company wanted it to go to him. And he just justified it. If I get my fucking ass whoop by somebody, I don't just win a slight decision and then accept it as a win, you know what I'm saying? So the real champs right here, and they could fight each other, and then they could light a fire up under my fucking ass, and then fucking I'll fight the winner. Or if somebody wants to get up and start making a motherfucker, fucking scene and make a star of their selves and put me up to fight,

then step your fucking game up and become a fucking star and do your thing. You know what I'm saying? I'm like, I've been fighting everybody forever. Connor's like, I need to see activity. I'm like, bro, you have like 7, 8, 9 fights in the UFC. You're fucking new, motherfucker. You're handed everything. You know what I'm saying?

I need to see activity. Get your ass to work or fight fucking Floyd. It don't matter if he fights Floyd, too, because it doesn't make no sense. It would be like, these are the best fighters are going to boss. I'm like, if Connor beats... If Floyd beats Connor, who the fuck gives this shit? I already whipped Connor's ass. So you beat the guy and beat him.

You know what I'm saying? If Connor beats Floyd, then the guy, the guy who's ass I whip just beat Floyd Medweather. And it's great. So I'm calling your blood fucking make the fight happen already. Let's see this shit pop off. I'm ready to see, I'm ready to see something go. I got a winner, if anything. And fucking, it's funny because you got, you got fucking, um,

I got three as a pound for pound best fighters. I think Tarver, Antonio Tarver, was on your show yesterday, right? I didn't watch the interview yet, but I read it all. And he's saying I won the fight, and I would be him in a boxing match, which I already said. I was like, I beat him in a boxing match, you know, he's fighting for him. And then you got Andre Ward watching. I thought he won the fight.

That's the pound for pound best fighter in the world right now. And then he got, who you got, Mayweather? I talked to him. He's like, fucking, he was like, I thought Nathan won the fight. Everyone thinks I won the fight. So how are you the fucking best cell? So let the media take over and promote you as the best fighter in the world. I'm a two

time world champ because I whipped his fucking ass after he fought out of. And I whipped his ass right before he fought Eddie Alvarez. And they knocked these guys out and everybody seemed to have forgot what happened. And they just went away. You know what I'm saying? So that's why I stand with him. And I don't want a fucking third fight. Fuck on it.

He could fight himself. But I do want someone that, If I'm going to fight, I need someone to lie to fire up under my ass. If they fucking games up, instead of spending some real shit. And not like Tony Ferguson, never said shit. He had all the opportunities. He won in the last fight.

He went to the Kibb, fight, Kibu pulled out. And he sat there and didn't say a word. He's like, on there, whatever. All fight could be again. I'm like, you should have stepped your game up right there when you had the mic and shit. It said, what, what? And they did.

Fuck you, you motherfucker. Let's get our fight on right now. And then we got a real fight going on, you know what I'm saying? I'm not going to just accept. fight because it's the best move for him and Connor and their manager and the UFC. So I'm doing everybody else in favor now. I don't own nobody

no favors. I never got a compliment for whipping the Golden Child's ass. All I did was get this for being the fucking 200-pound monster who fucking beat Connor and he came back with adversity and whipped my ass. I don't think that happened but they're fooling everybody pretty good and believe in that. You know what I'm saying?

So first of all, If they're going to talk to me about anything, I would like to be treated with a little more respect and be complimented. Could I get a compliment for whipping you guys? And now they're trying to spread rumors about me finding first thing. And I'm like, how am I all of a sudden now a lightweight when all this time, Dan, I was spinning about how I was a middleweight and Cohners, praise Connor for fighting my big ass. You know what I'm saying? I'm 1-74 right now eating as much as I want. Are you kidding me?

so it's like for one a little a little respect from from somebody over there motherfuckers like I got no love in the PR department the PR check it out the price that I did for my

for that last two fights remember I went on the Camel and the Conan O'Brien show and all that and fucking I saw my extra TV and and I did all that shit I even talked to you well that was all done by my PR company that I found you know what I'm saying

as same as I've been hustling in the fight game harder than everybody. You know, I got 36 fights in the UFC. The most leader in the U.S.U.S.U.S. is like 37 fights. It's like fucking, I forget who T or T's a Vitor. But somebody who's old as fuck, right? So I have more fights than in the UFC. Yeah. I'm fucking young. I'm younger.

More than half the roster. So I've done more work in this game than anybody. And now I've done more work in the business side, too. I hustle. I learned how to get paid. I learned again. How many years I've been bitching since fucking since I was

24 I've been like fuck that. You guys made me some of this big ass contract. This ain't right. I started reading. I started fucking learning shit. College started, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, I got to figure this game out because I ain't going to fucking beat some ex-U.

C fighter bitching about how I should have got paid. I'm going to do that shit right now in the OSCE when I got the mic and I'm going to take fights to do it. You know what I'm saying? And I fucking expanded my whole shit. And that was all done by me. You know what I'm saying?

How did I get on Conan O'Brien? I fucking got my ass. I don't get on Conan O'Brien. And not to mention, I got on Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel in the same week. All in the same week. That's like from the guy, my boy who got me hooked up. Shout out to Zach. That's my man, Jack Rosenthal.

He hug me up in that. And that I found him. And then he put me on. But, but, uh, fucking, uh, he tells me that's unheard of being on Camel and Conan in the same way for actors and shit we got it all in the same way because I was market I was demanded I was fucking the mark I fucking in one year I fought three times in nine months and in one year I got the two top selling pay-per-views in your see history you know what I'm saying I'm trying to give me the

cold shoulder and hide me out and let me die off you know what I'm saying but it's all good because I'm not going to die off. You know what I'm saying? I'm still right here and again. I'm still training harder than anybody. I'm still got people calling the fucking cannabis industry, fucking blown fucking money out of their mind over here. Look at this.

That's some Kio-Kio. Ghost Kish. Oh, yeah. But by side of my point, what I'm saying is I don't need to fight. You know what I'm saying? I don't need to fight. And it's funny reading it on a clickbait. But, but, but, uh, I'm, I got a serious competition.

competitive race season going on right now. Me and my brother and Cron Gracie have been just killing races for the last couple years. But this year, everybody's step they game up where I got a new bike coming. Crown got a new bike. The next game, a new bike. Everybody's, every bit of, like, in some serious fun competition, you know, and stuff that I enjoy doing. That's what I've been fighting for years for.

It's to, um, is to, um, is to, uh, I train hard and fight hard so that I can do whatever the fuck I want. You know what I'm saying? Isn't that what we're all gunning for? I wanted to do whatever we would like to do. So what I would like to do is I would like to compete in races and enjoy some time at home and not be rumored about and talk shit to fight. But if we are going to fight, if we are going to fight, then I need to be woken up, you know what I'm saying?

Spit it and spit it loud because, and I led the blueprint, but people need to see. step they game up. Dude, like, yeah, Ferguson's talking all that. He had the mic all those times, but what happened? His manager, which is Connor's manager, told you, this is a good idea. Go talk shit. Everybody's talking all this shit now that too, and trying to get loud at press conferences and argue and interview, and it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like,

it's not real. It's not real. I've never done that, you know what I'm saying? But when somebody pops off and talks their shit, I'm going to talk some shit back, you know? because ain't old stepping on my shoes without getting a bitch slap. You know what I'm saying? It's like, fuck that.

And people are all doing it. And then Tony's talking to this shit. I'm not very genuine. I'm not going to buy that. I'm not mad at you, Tony. He's doing this thing. He's doing what he was told to do. But at the same time,

you're not making it very motivating for me to fight you. He's saying, he said, you need to fight. This is a fight game. You need to fight. Because that's what we're here to do with my money.

I'm like, guess what? Like, I have already. I got more fights than you and more fights than everybody. So I have already. And I'm going to tell you right now that in this game, it is about the money, motherfucker. It's all about the money. Because if it wasn't about the money, then what the fuck he's doing for? You're getting an occasion, fighting in front of everybody,

and you're fucking just doing it for not the money. Guess what, motherfucker? If you want to fight, we can fight right now in my front yard. I can meet down the road in the park. We do whatever. Anybody. But if you're going to find me in that cage in an oxygen, that's making millions

of millions and millions of fucking dollars, I want my peace. You know what I'm saying? Especially if they're turning to me, watch me. They're not watching you. You know? And that's not my fault. That's your fault.

Not just him specifically everybody, you know? It's time to step your games up. And do it for real, too. I'm like fucking phony style. You know what I'm saying? Any questions? Dario, you're letting me just go.

No, well, I mean, like I said, I've been waiting to hear from you for a very long time. Let me ask you this. Have you been officially offered a fight? When I'm putting down, no, so I'm not rambling. No, of course. I am on the same wavelength as you. I completely understand what you're saying. By the way, I think the microphone might be close because now there's like some static.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. How about now? This is good. And now I could see you much better. Oh, right there, perfect. Have you been officially offered a fight against Tony Ferguson? You know, that's for, yeah, I have. For when?

July, July night. July 8th, in Vegas. July 8th. I wasn't supposed to say that, but yeah, I was, and I gladly accepted. Oh. And then it was gladly. rejected. What? And then, yeah, it was rejected.

And, uh, because it's circumstances, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, yeah, sure I'll fight him, but under these circumstances. You know what I'm saying? And, uh, then, then I was ignored and then the rumors went on. I'm like, well, why are the rumors still going if it's not popping? And then I thought about it. I'm like, wait, why am I going to do

Connor McGregor's fucking work for him? No. You fight each other, motherfucker. And then you get a chance at the golden child right here. You know what I'm saying? Like, what are you going to do? you're gonna fucking you're gonna fucking take time off to make millions of dollars by me and I'm gonna fight

do your dirty work for you let me tell you why they want me to fight Ferguson right they want me to fight Ferguson and they're trying to pump up a fight the UFC and look at their managers work together

you guys are on the same fucking team you phony fucks and you guys his manager and everybody else's manager work for the UFC because they all to come to you with something, otherwise they get dropped. All the fucking managers, everybody,

all you fighters' managers, your managers are all calling me. They're all calling me, trying to give me a fight. I mean, I'm like, how come everyone's trying to call me and give me a fight? Media, UFC, all y'all managers? Let me tell you something, man. I ain't got no manager, you know what? Because they ask me who's representing me. I said, I'm representing myself.

You know why? Because my manager is representing Carter or Tony or Khabib or anybody. Go your ass over there and hang out with them. I only keep my whole boys around me. You know what I'm saying?

I don't be having a bunch of phony fucking silly fucks around me. Managing everybody. I'm going to do it for you. They're talking all this. I'm going to do it for you. You're going to do it for me. You're managing the guy I might fight.

We ain't on the same team. But I'll tell you who is on the same team. Tony. Connor Their manager Who works for the Easee They're all friends And then they're all friends with

Kabid's manager And Dosano's manager And they're all friends with Uh Fucking Matt What's that fucker's name John Jones manager They're all got the same manager

They're all got the same team I'm on my team Fucking represent Green Team Fighter Fuck everybody All you, motherfucker Fucking USC Management

fucking no offense to some of the managers that I know they're my, we're cool but no one is my manager because how can you trust somebody he's working with the enemy? You know what I'm saying?

I'm the only one who lives this war lifestyle and his fight lifestyle. Always, you know what I'm saying? I'm out of season and I'm still in the game. You know what I'm saying? I'm over here

all over the rumor in me and I'm my brother. I'm taking a year off with my brother, you know what I'm saying? We're doing some serious races this year. We have a schedule. We have a lined up

my coach, Damon Gonzalez, he's my race coach and fastest little motherfucking motherfucker on the planet. He's fast as hell. He runs five-minute miles at the end of 56-mile bike ride, a mile and a half swim. And he's still running five-minute miles. That might be a little exaggerate, but some along those lines. It might be over or under exaggerate. I don't know, but he's fast as hell. He's like, hey, he'll take me out warm up.

He'll be like, come on, we're just warming up. And we'll go on a little running. And I'm like, that was like a fool. full speed rent for me and that was your war, motherfucker. But anyways, he's got us on schedule and we got a schedule locked down and he don't care about the fight game. He cares about us

doing well on these races and he's got a scheduled in and he wants me to win when he's races and like I'll be like, but I got to fight that week. I'm like the races the weekend before he said, yeah, it'll be good. Let's just go make sure we do good in this race. And so he's got us on on schedule. I want to disappoint him. I want to make him

happy. And if I don't, then my brother's going to be. And then I'm, you You know, and then I'm jealous, and I'm like, all right, fuck that. And I'm going to go race more than Nick now. So we've got a serious race season going on. And that's what I fought for, you know. Main reason I fought because the races is expensive sport, triathlons, and bikes are expensive to gear.

Everything's expensive. I get some sponsors and stuff, but it feels good to be one of the guys who can make money to compete in this sport. Because people like me don't compete in this sport. I'm like, you know, I'm like doing well in my career and everything, and then I go over there, I'm still a ghetto, get-old, a little fighter guy who's at the races. So I try to go on and put a good look and make sure I'm racing good and communicating with everybody well. So this year I could step it up and do better, and that's my plan for the year. And then there's rumors about me fighting.

So if I am going to fight, you know, if I am going to fight in the cage and they're going to call me, then they're going to have to be. make it worth it. So what happened when they offered you Tony for July 8th and then you said yes and now you say it's not happening, what broke it up? Where did things go wrong? Well, I said right now I'm in race season. Okay.

But if you want to pull me out, race season, yeah, let's do it. Okay. But you're going to have to reach my number. And my numbers are already good. That's what I'm saying. I'm not waiting for no, Connor McGregor, because my numbers are already good. Okay. No matter who I fight, I'm getting paid.

But I have hell of money. I don't mean to brag about that, I'm a cocky fuck. We should all. We're fighters. If you don't step up your game and get your money, you're fucking up. Let's fight for fun.

Your mom's watching. Get your face split open and your folks see. Yeah. So I said, if you want me to come out of season, it's going to cost. You know what I'm saying? What's the cost?

It's going to cost. When you see me in the cage, my number was met. You know what I'm saying? But could you give us a ballpark? But other than that, other than that, I'm still getting paid more than everybody in the company. Everybody, every single fight, no matter who I fight. And it's the worst guy in the SEC.

Well, what is that ballpark number? But what I'm saying, I'm not fighting for, I'm not fighting for fun. Yeah, no. I'm not fighting for fun. Right. It's not fun to me. Right. It's not fun.

It feels good to get stuff done and everything goes planned and everything to do well. But it's not fun for me. You know what I'm saying? Am I willing to fight? I'll fight anybody. I'm right out here in the front yard You know what I'm saying I don't think anybody's like that

These guys spit they want to fight I see him and they're like And I look at them And they're like looking at the floor And you've seen it Remember the homie's out in Mexico They were scared I'm like why are you guys scared man

You guys claim to be fighters I'm the only one living this fight life It's fight till I die Even when I'm 60 I think I'll be the same way You know what I'm saying I'm not out starting No problem them cool with everybody But if you

If you don't pop off to me We can get it wherever everywhere at. That's for real. But I'm a businessman, and I'm trying to be, I'm trying to, trying to, trying to do right business and I'm not running around looking for that. I'm looking for good opportunities. I want to do well.

Hopefully everybody else does well also financially and in the fight game, and let's say going against me, but on my brother or my partner is Jake and Gilbert. But I believe, I believe, you know, until until, until it's all the way right, financially, and, or somebody steps the game of and making me want to fight them

because I don't want to fight anybody who's not making me want to fight them. So, all right, look, you check this out. You're in the school cafeteria, right? Lunchtime. Remember high school? Yeah. All right, and somebody's like,

somebody's like, hey, look around the room. Who do you want to fight? Who do you want to fight in here? Right? Random Tuesday. Nice, you're the week's going fine, right? Hey, who do you want to fight in this cafeteria? You look around?

Remember the cafeteria? There are 300 people in there, right? Yeah. You look around the room, you're like, well, fuck, man, I don't really want to fight anybody. I don't want to fight. What am I? Will I fight anybody? Yeah, I guess, but do I want to?

No, that's, first of all, it's rude. You know what I'm saying? Right. You're like, what am I going to take a guy to fight? Everybody thinks he's good. You should fight him. Well, fuck, does he want to fight me? I don't know.

What the fuck would I fight him for? You know what I'm saying? He didn't do nothing to me. Now, my motherfucker jumps up on the table on the corner the cafeteria and says, what's up, motherfucker, you sorry-ass-a-ass-l-l-bitch, want to get your ass with? What's up? Come get it.

I want to fight that guy. Right. You know what I'm saying? Right, right, right, right. That's the guy I want to fight. Yeah. Until then, I don't have no reason to find nobody. So the stuff that Tony was saying,

he was saying, don't be scared, you know. Right, Jim wins. Someone told him to do that. He got respect. Tony's not bad. You know what I'm saying? He got respect. And I respect that.

He didn't come off, never talking shit. He's doing what he's got to do because they're telling him about I'm my brother We don't need to be fun You got You know over here fucking Have people get you

Like you're just trying to move forward And say what you think you need to say But you don't need to say that Do what the fuck is You know what I'm saying Go fight Conner's ass But you guys work together So that's not gonna work

You guys are on cahoots What's the name too Mayweather and McGreg Why's Mayweather telling everybody that McGregor had a champion. You guys are selling it hard. That's Wolf tickets. Remember Wolf tickets?

Yes, I do. You guys are selling it hard, man, and I'm not buying it. So it's like, it's all going to me. And that's why they want to see me and my brother, fuck, because that's the only real thing that's going on. And my brother, too, I was like, people are like, what are you doing? And they're like, well, what's Nick doing?

My Nick's in the same situation. He's taking a nice year. He's doing the race season, and he's serious, too. He's sending me race. We're going to this one. I'm like, oh, fuck, I'm ready for that. But yeah, let's go. So we're just staying content with what we're doing

And when somebody steps their game up And starts acting right in the fight game This is the fight sport, man I'm telling you what's happening Me and Nick are the first professional fighters That's the one of the prime example Of what a professional fighters should be You know what I'm saying?

Someone who's just like Wear a t-shirt and a hoodie to the press conference I don't know knocking nobody for dressing up about why is everybody dressing up in gay-ass-a-ass-a-looking like a football player or press conference? Everybody's shaking hands and being respectful. That's disrespectful.

I'm like, we're going to fight each other. I'm not disrespecting anybody until they disrespect me, but we're not best friend and we're not smiling and sharing chocolate out of weighing. Because that's boring the fuck out of me. That's making it for boring fight. People tune in to sea warfare, and they don't even realize when they turn on

and everybody's hiking and I smile. They're like, that's a guy's smart. I'm like, this ain't no sport. This is the fight again. This is war. If you're acting like that, then you're fucking boring. Let me ask you about this.

In January, I spoke to Connor McGregor, and he said that he was very disappointed in you. When you picked up that Skype caller, that FaceTime from Floyd Mayweather, you were his B-I-T-C-H, right? He said that- That's what I'm saying. He's the fucking bitch. You're the fucking bitch, Connor. You fucking got your ass whipped in. running around like, I'm the two belt champion. And I fucking, and I

came at verse, overcame adversity. I'm like, when? When you were quitting in that second fight? And in third round he was like making something, uh, I'm under, okay, when his coach is like Steve's the game plan, he's like crying, you know what I'm saying? If you're a fighter, you understand it, you know when somebody's being a little bitch?

I'm like, and then, and then, and then, and remember when I beat him, and I came in the press conference the first time, when I came into the press conference after I beat him, and he was like, there's videos, and when he's look at me and he's all scared and he wants to say hi he wants to talk and be friends to ease the tension you know what I'm saying I'm like

I'm like that you're a bitch you're the only one who ever acted like bitch between the two of us so if there's a bitch it's you motherfucker I ain't no bitch ever have been so so boy may whether calls me randomly unexpected I just smoked a joint

I'm like what the fuck this is fucking odd you know I'm like what a And I even thought to myself. He thinks he's a fucking genius. When he calls me, my boy, Ellie Suckback calls me, and he's got Mayweather right there, right? Yeah. And I look at it, and I'm talking to mewether, before, I'm like, I'm like, what up?

And I was thinking, like, you know what? Fuck this, dude. He's getting into a fight with McGregor. They're going to make all this money. Fuck them. Like, I don't mean to be a hater, but fuck them. I want to fight these motherfuckers, you know? So I was thinking about being like, you know, fuck you.

what the fuck you call me for. I think about hanging up quick. But then when I'm talking to him, I'm like, that's Floyd Mayweather. I have respect for the man. You know what I'm saying? I fucking am a martial artist. That guy's the best of what he does and has been proving it for years. I'm going to pop off like an old asshole.

Fuck you, bitch. I understand this is the fight game. If you want to fight somebody, you should do that. But at the same time, there's a level of respect. You know what I'm saying? And you got, I'm not going to just pop off because you're having a fight with Conner. or like a hater. Like, fuck you.

I'm like, all right on to you. Let me tell you, my MMA versus boxing thing, too. I'm not with M.MA. I've been a boxing my whole life. You know what I'm saying? I'm not with boxing either.

I'm on my side. But, but, what, I'm supposed to fucking be like, Gregory's going to kick your ass. I'm like, fuck McGregor. Fuck,

I'm going to take your side for it. And I'm a bitch because I wasn't telling him fuck you. I was fucking not a disrespectful little shithead in what was wet. You know what I'm saying? Like, I got respect for people, and I'm not going to mouth off, unless they're mouthing off to me.

Then it's like, dude, you know what I'm saying? I'm not a little asshole. That guy, McGregor ain't got a respect for nobody. That's the thing. And I got one word that is the disrespectful little shit, but either way. Either way, I'll whip your ass in a boxing match McGregor, but you're never going to fight you, and he even said that I'm like, whatever. I got winner in a boxing match or a fight.

I'll fight a fight a fight. fucking, and you're not even fucking being that challenge. I'm fighting heavyweight, fool. Buy a boxer heavyweight division. I'll whip his ass and mixed martial arts. How about that? That's a challenge. That's something people we should want to see.

When you want to see a fucking, I'm not going to talk shit in a little ass 147-pound Mayweather. I don't even fight that that way. For the longest time, you and your brother, I mean, I remember specific examples have been trying to get boxing matches, have been trying to find an out to fight, you know, whomever. Years ago, years ago, boxing promotions

were trying to buy my contract out from the UFC. Yeah, I remember. And the USC wouldn't let me let me out. They wouldn't let me have a chance to hate me. They always came under the radar. And so if this happens, the Floyd-Connor fight,

how would you feel about that? After all these years of trying to get this done, and then, you know, they seemingly part the seas to make this happen. How would you feel about that? How would you and your brother feel about that? I already said it. I'm falling their bluff.

Can we pick up the pace, please? You don't see it. You don't believe it'll happen? You don't believe it'll happen? I thought it was going to. But now everybody died down and shut up. Every week they were talking shit back and forth. It's all a fucking hype game.

They're building each other up, and the UFC's in on it too. They're all fighting. What do? And bring boxing back alive, bring them a male alive. It's the only thing going on. And it's only because it's the only thing going on. And they're selling it is that. And it's like, like, Mayweather is coming back relevant.

Greg is staying relevant. and the boxers are all known and the UCC sees that and now everybody's like oh this is the biggest thing so it was good for everybody for that to happen but now that it's time to happen

where's that at? I call it a blef fucking make the fight happen let's see the fuck happen because in the end I'm the winner in the whole thing anyway if McGregor

fucking wins then Mayweather just got beat the best boxer right now got beat by the guy who I beat the fuck at him that's good for me and if Mayweather knocks

the ass out It's like, who gets it fuck? I already whipped his ass anyway, and I'll fight a real jee, you know what I'm saying? Fathers the real shit, like I said. And if you come back to MMA, fight fucking Ferguson, and then you get a shot at the Golden Ticket.

You're the bitch. That's what I'm saying, he's a bitch. Over the last few months, in interviews, Dana White has said that you and your brother have turned down fights, and then you went on Twitter and said, you know, why is this guy talking so much smack? We didn't turn down anything.

So what's the story? That's what I'm saying? You guys are there, you guys are there, fucking waking me from rest, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, I'm seeing this. I'm reading it, and I'm like, I didn't turn down shit. They called me. What they did was, they called me and text me about the,

they text me about Eddie Alvarez's fight, right? Right, right. They text me about the Eddie Alvarez fight, and I'm just like, Eddie Alvarez had his chance. You know what I'm saying? Remember when I seen him in Mexico and I was, I called it out, like, I wanted to fight him the next day.

Yeah. I like, let's fight. I want Eddie. He said, I'm next, we're going to fight. So they called the U.C called Eddie, and Eddie fucking Eddie's ass turned it down and didn't answer the call. He's like, I'm waiting for a title.

Stayed out the game for a minute. I beat McGregor, and then when I went for the second fight, they said Eddie Overs calls every day trying to get a fight with me. I'm like, you had your chance. You want to strike what time now? You had your chance. That's not a fighter. You're not a fighter.

You know what I'm saying? I think, did I tell you? No, you guys are already all lost. When you don't want the fight, you lost. You're like, you didn't want the fight. You had your chance. So, so, so they hit me up about that. And I'm like, I did you, and then I come to realize my contract was almost up on time.

You know what I'm saying? So when I said that I didn't want that fight. Yeah. I didn't even say that. I just laughed. And I like, do you want to tell you out of his body? How dare you? He just got melted by the guy I just beat up.

You know what I just got plunged by Connor. I just beat Connor's ass. and I'm like, I don't want to fight I just laughed at him. I get the fuck out of here. I call me with some real shit. And then that shit went that shit went fucking they put out that I'm turning down fights, right?

And then like that next couple days I got a message, email saying that my contract has been extended six months. I mean, you guys just offered me that fight. You knew I wasn't going to take so you can extend my contract because it's almost that. My time was almost up on my contract.

You know what I'm saying? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. When's it up? When's it up? When's it up? It was almost up right there. Really? So I don't know if I got a year or six months or something. I had to do it. But... So you're going to be a free agent soon? You're going to be a free agent soon. I don't know. I don't know because they're extending it and they're finding it and they're double extending it. I don't know what's the deal. I don't want to get into a contract. I don't fucking know. I got to read and look at it. And by what I mean reading and look, I got to have somebody reading and look at it. Because I ain't got the patience He said then read no contract.

But somewhat on the line, but I don't plan on being, of course my objective has been to be a free agent for a long time. But that's not my plan right now. I'm just fucking, I'm content right now, you know what I'm saying? There's a lot of business going on right now. And it's nonstop.

It's overwhelming, you know? So it's like, I don't need to fight. I don't need to fight. So if I'm going to fight, I need to either be compensated or someone needs to, when I fight it's because I either got my numbers, the numbers are right, or because someone made me want to fight.

Is there a chance you never fight again? Um, yeah, no, I don't know. Who knows, you know what I'm saying? I don't know how to make plans like that. Okay. Um, one, one time. I tell you why I ain't retired, though. Say it again?

I said, I ain't never retired, though. Okay. one time you said to me that you're not picking up the phone for 20 million is that still the case see now that's when they offer me silly fucking 80 hours fights that's what I mean I'm like you know you want me to fight him no way okay he lost her but for 20 million I'll pick up that changes things right right but only the time you can't refuse

you know but I'm not I'm not I never was like demanding 20 million for fucking, for, uh, shit, for stuff. You know what I'm saying? But when you're coming with some, some bullshit with some obnoxious stuff, then isn't like a 20 million to pick up, you know? That makes sense? Yeah, sure. I know you heard this a couple months ago.

Dana White was doing a scrum and he's like, everyone needs to stop thinking that they're Connor McGregor. You're not all money fights. Stop asking for the money fights. Only Connor can ask for the money fights. Unless you're, and he said, unless you're him. And he said, unless you're him and all that. Like, somebody like, yeah, right.

Let's for me too. I didn't ask him for no money fights. You know what? Because I'm the money fight. The money's right. The money's in my contract. And if someone fights me, it's going to be what's up. You know, that they're going to be, that's why they want me to fight Ferguson.

That day, it was Connor, Ferguson, and his manager's playing. They're like, okay, no one knows Ferguson, nobody. And he's tough. So what we'll do is, well, come fight Nate. And then if he wins, everyone will know him because he fought Nate. And then you could fight somebody who everyone knows. But if you fight Connor right now, then, Connor gets his ass with by somebody no one knows.

Yeah. You know what I'm, so that's where I'm at. I'm like, yeah, right. Fight each other, motherfucker. You get a chance at your boy here. Your manager needs to get paid, so you guys better do something. One thing that you... I don't got to pay nobody.

I don't got to pay nobody, you know what I'm saying? Everybody I pay fucking... fucking commonsitting and then four, and it's like, I don't got to have nobody doing no work for me. I do work for myself. Did you always... Did you always feel... Because I know you used to have a manager, right?

Did you always feel this way, or is this something that happened that made you think? That was all learning experience. That was all learning experience. I got a team. I got a team. Right. You know what I'm saying? My dude Samoa, my boy, Zach, in the PR department, my whole fight team with their knowledge and years of experience. So we talk and I talk and we pick each other's head department. We come up with plan. And I'm like, Blame, there's my team plan. but the main trigger puller on my own situation is me, and every since that happened, it's worked. You know what I'm saying?

You said for a long time, this is something that's always stuck with me that we entertain the entertainers. Like LeBron James, he comes to your fights. You know, the athletes, the comedians, the actors, they all come to the UFC fights. And I've always... Me and all these rappers who I thought were cool my whole life,

and I'm meeting them. They're all fucking like, Nate, what? What up? And I'm like, get the fuck out of here. My favorite rapper since all the kid is my nigger like that. Like, that's crazy to me. So, you know what I'm saying? Yeah.

So if that's worth something, then you ain't worth shit. Like, why aren't you out, like, everybody, remember I said not a long time ago? Yeah. Before I had fought, when I was buying Johnson, I was expended. I was like, dude, like, if you don't take your, your, your career in your own hand, just like the fight game, it's like, you're going to just let people, you know, I hope it gets there one day. And then, I was hopeless. I was hopeless in this thing the whole time. You know what I'm saying?

All I wanted was some rent money and some lunch. Hopeless the whole time, you know what I'm saying? I'm like getting fucking some... You're going to catch me when no fucking Gucci suit because I fucking got paid. But now that once you heard... That Gucci suit money got on my mom pocket. But once you heard that the company sold for over $4 billion,

I mean, you guys were talking about wanting more money way back before we even really knew how much this whole thing was worth, Did that kind of blow your mind? Like, how did you react to that? Wait, I'm sorry? One more time? Did it blow your mind when you heard that the company was sold for over $4 billion, the largest sports transaction in North American history, maybe even the world?

I mean, because you guys were talking about we need more, we need more, we deserve more, and then to see how much it was actually worth, to me, the big takeaway from that number is, well, maybe the fighters were a lot more underpaid than we all thought they were. And it's the fighters fault for not speaking up, though. You know what I'm saying? I wouldn't blow. My mind wouldn't blow it. I can tell it worth that much.

You could tell when, look at what I just said about Conan and Kimmel the same week. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. I'm like, what the fuck? If that's not worth something, you should be paid out that people who are famous like that are calling you. And we're in the same places that, you know what I'm saying? All the actors you meet and rappers and actors and everybody who you meet is just like, what's up?

And they're like, they're like, what is it? Like, they're like fascinated by you. I'm like, how is this fucking person that you just watch on TV? He's the most famous person you can think of looking at you. Like, dude, asking you about fights. And I'm like, no, I'm a superstar straight up, you know what I'm saying? And a lot of fighters aren't could be, but nobody's spinning like that. So it's like, if you keep treating yourself like a little slag bitch driver fucking fighter,

then you are that. And I was like, you got to take it in your own hands and run over the game with it. One big thing that's come up over the past year is these groups trying to unionize the fighters or make associations. They come out and then there's a little bit of noise and now they've all essentially disappeared. What do you think of this? There's no time for that. No time for that. That's a complaint.

So check it out. Like you got Silvish bitching him out. I didn't really know what he's doing, but I read the, the site that said like whatever he's bitching about and Jose Aldo was bitching about it and fucking like everybody all these guys who were champions

when I was a little broke motherfucker they're all complaining now that they lost their belts and that they're not champs and they can't get what they want and Conner's getting all the love and shit like that and I'm like

when you guys were champions I knew they were getting paid shit money too for being the champion. And I was going off on myself getting shit money and my contract and how we're super sorry and no one's giving us no love. And I was like, woo, woo, woo.

And I was like, fuck, do you see it and saying all these things? And nobody was cutting me. I was like getting in the kitchen and getting bigger from it, right? And I was sitting there going, why is Aldo and Silva and all these guys not speaking up? Yeah.

You know what I'm saying? You guys got the box. If I had the bell at that time, by now I'd be a fucking 50-time million. there, you know what I'm saying? I'd be like, crazy witch. I'd be like, no, I got this, but I can't find nobody till you pay me out, like a motherfucker, you know? And they didn't say shit,

and now they're all winding and complaining. I'm like, you should have stepped your game up. Like, I was a perfect example. I should have been fired for hell of stuff. You know what I'm saying? If I was them, I ought to be like, man, they're not even firing him. I'm going to pop up, no, I'm going to get mine. And then, like, I was all crying about Gregor and it wanted to be mad forever. I'm like, bro, it's your fault.

You took him on that. can ride around the world and let him punk you everywhere. You're responsible. What the fuck are you crying for? I don't even know if he's crying anymore. He got over it because he probably realized me. My brother, you just made a star of that guy. I wish I had someone to just run around all over the country.

I could just slap around. You know what I'm saying? You're like, now I'm the most famous guy world because I do a slap of this little fucker all around the whole place. You know what I'm saying? So you don't think it's going to happen. I feel bad. I don't mean a diss out of all.

No, I'm bad. No, but you know, let's talk to the truth. This is the real hour, motherfucker. Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, I feel you. Do you think it'll ever happen? Do you think the fighters will ever come together? Or should it even happen? Is this not the sport for that sort of thing?

Honestly, I wish everybody would have stepped their game up together a long time ago, but I'm not here to save the world. I'm here. But I noticed by thinking about other people in the whole fight game is, is don't know what I care about you. So you've got to do a force-help by yourself, and then you can help somebody else. I'm helping my team the best that I can.

I'm trying to fucking get them in a big, fight with you. I'm trying to try to get them sponsors and whatever I kid off of my name, I'm going to break out of my homeboys. But as far as the whole fight game goes, you know, hopefully one day, but I can't be sitting there wasting time thinking about it because I got stuff to do, you know what I'm saying? And if I'm sitting there thinking about that all day, I'm not going to get stuff done. Have you applied for a boxing license in any state? Yeah, Nevada and California. And have they accepted?

Yeah, I'm ready to rock. But they kill that out. Why? They kill that out. What I'm going to do? Y'all for the fucking ruse. Like, yo, I got my boxing. Like, yeah, it's like, okay, I do.

When one of these, I think, I think there are other promotions. I don't want to fuck with USC too. I'm like, what's up? I'm ready to box. Whoever, whenever. I've been a boxing my own life. So when somebody's ready to step their game up and come over here and get a fight in a boxing show on a big name, big card.

I'm ready to rock and roll. Are you cool with the Nevada Athletic Commission? They recently reduced your fine. Do you feel like it's fair now? Do you feel like they handled that well? Yeah, I already forgot about it a long time ago. I'm glad to be getting my money back. Did they pay you back?

Yeah, they pay me back. Okay, so we're all straight. Well, good. I think, yeah, I think I got like $35,000 back out of $50,000. any. Okay. And do you have to do community service? Yeah, a little community service. Have you done that yet? A little bit, yeah, I need to teach the kids and stuff. And, and, uh, teach martial arts at my gym and and Alinia gym and a couple other gyms. What is it like for you in Stockton these days? I mean, there's a, there's a freaking mural with your face on it. This is where you grew up. Um, and now,

as you mentioned, you're, you're well off, you're comfortable, you have money. Do people still treat you the same? Do you feel like people recognize you more? What is life like? Has it changed? Can you feel a difference in your life a year later? Yeah, it's like less worries, but more worries. Is that like what Biggie once said? Is that what he said? I don't know. Listen to Tupac, man. Oh, so, oh, sorry. You know, don't bring it up again. It's a Westside rider right here. Damn. There's no biggie. Come on. They were once friends. They were once friends. rivalry goes on. Okay, fair enough.

I was just saying, I don't know, maybe. More money, more problems, right? More money, more problems. All money, more problems. And that's the truth, but as far as everything here at home is great, man, it's cool. Yeah, people talk to me everywhere I go and say what happened. It's real cool. You know, everybody's, it's cool.

I enjoy being at home and running into people and they're like, what are you doing here? I live like a mile that way, you know. It felt good to be home. I'll be out parties here in the ghetto right here. And people are like, what the fuck you're here? And I'm like, where you think I'm going to be at? This is where I live. This is where I'm staying.

It's good. I plan on, like, getting some properties and some other places that I travel to a lot. But I'm staying home base is right here. You know, my mom was here. My gym's right here. My team Nick Diaz Academy. And it feels good to be here with everybody. It feels good to be here.

get the hell out of here for a while, but it feels great to be home, and home shows me a lot of love. So it's, it's, it's a, it's a organic, you know, real place. Yeah, everybody's career. Do a lot of people hit you up now that they know that, you know, you made money, do a lot of people hit you up? Does that get uncomfortable or does everyone kind of respect your, your space? Yeah, no, it's a little of both. But, but, but. But I could deal with it. It comes to the territory, right? Yeah, no, of course.

Once you get more fit. I thought it was crazy that UFC 209 wasn't in NorCal. Was that ever discussed? That's what I'm saying. Like, it was like a, it was like, it was like a, like, it's perfect. Almost like an ego thing that you see was playing.

Like, no one even called. People were demanding with all of my Twitter and shit. People were like, what's Nick and Nate and out of 2009? No one called. Wow. Why didn't no one called for that? That was like, I see, I heard people saying they dropped the ball.

They did drop the ball on that one. Would you have wanted to fight on 209? Would that have meant something to you? Well, I think it would have made sense. Like I said, I don't want to fight nowhere. Sure, sure. What should have happened, right? Isn't it what should have happened?

Shouldn't they have done that? Everybody was expecting it already. Why would they have not try to make that happen? They didn't even attempt. They went, like I said, since I beat the corner, they just wanted to die out. They want me to die out and go away. But why name?

Why do you feel? But you're legitimately one of the biggest stars. I don't feel that way. I feel that. It's not like I'm feeling and crying a river. I'm cool, whatever. No. But it's that not what's happening?

Why aren't we like on blast everywhere? I was saying, talking with my guy Zach, and I was like, me and him were like, why are, like, the PR, like, and my next fight, too? Like, we got this. You know what I'm saying? I got this. Don't worry about it because we never had no help anyway. I did everything by itself. for us, they'll buy myself the whole time.

So don't worry about that. But can I be marketed? Why am I not on the fucking Wheaties box? Look at the Wheaties box right there. More people know me than him. How can when I go to UC on Fox? All the dorks are on the wall. Can I get a picture on well?

Can I get promoted and marketing in a positive way? Yeah. And I mean, like I said, I race. I'm a vegan. I do travel. I fucking teach kids. Like, but all they want to, all they want to do is middle finger and hide me out in the dark corner steel and I'm like

I'm like do you want to put rumors out about me fighting like let's start off first by flying me out in a private jet put me in a suite and talking to me respectfully asking me to have a fight instead of fucking putting rumors out that I turn down fights yeah because

like I say I'll fight anybody too dead but if we're gonna find the kid you need to be treated like a respectful human being and have to be ass and treat it correctly because because you keep

I'm not playing the game no more you know what I'm saying you guys have no stars there's nobody to there's nobody to be like I got no fighters all these fighters ain't doing nothing they're saying the same old scripted stuff and nobody's doing nothing

so if you got talent keep it real and make some happen for yourself because there's nobody that's me and my brother where's John Jones they're not showing him too much love but he's fine he should be fine he should be coming back

I think yeah July Roder Rosie's not around because hiding with men weather so it's like all you got is me and Nick yeah

it's like John Gregor rousy me and Nick and they try their best to not talk about it's like if somebody says

who's the story they'll just purposely not say me and Nick you know what I'm saying I'm like I guess but we're still getting invited

a huge party did they know they're still calling only one who ain't calling are you we're not going away did they not want you at the MSG show.

Did you try to get tickets for that? Didn't give us tickets. What happened? I snucked that bitch. Some dude I know, some of, some dude at the, at the, that works security that's solid trying to get in. We were just trying to buy tickets. Whoa.

I text fucking Dana. Like, what's up you though? Man, we're sold out. I'm like, I don't give a fuck. I don't want a ticket. Grab me at the front door. Walk my ass in. Fuck are you talking about.

I ain't got tickets. I'm sorry. That's crazy. So, I just know a hard feeling with Dana. Dan is my partner. Look what he sent me. Let's see. Look it.

He sent me this. How do I turn this camera? Okay, look, he sent me this. Oh, wow. That is incredible. Yeah, I don't know how to take that. I don't know how to take that. I don't know how to take that.

You know what else he sent me. Oh, my gosh. He's like, Nate, I sent you to him. I saw it and I thought about you. Look what else he sent me. Another one? Geez. Yeah, yeah, two of them.

He thought, hey, I saw this and I thought about you. I bought it and I sent it over and tell me when you get it. And I text him, I was like, thanks, but I don't get it. I think that kind of like speaks for my career, right? And like, hey, man, I had a hard feeling that I saw a great. Was that recently? About probably like seven months ago. Okay.

So where did you sit at 205? Where were you? You get in from a security guard and where'd you go? I went to the top. Wow. With the people. They're like a booth up there. And you just hung out with you and your bro?

Or just you? Yeah, me and my brother. Okay. No, it was, we got in kind of separately. It was crazy. One guy snuck me and one way and one guy snuck in another way. That's crazy. That is insane.

I just wanted to go to the event. Like, I swear I won't make a ruckus. Wow. But yeah, that's wild, right? That, like, pretty disrespectful. Breakful or what? You're like, I don't want to, I don't mean to be demanding respect, but what the fuck? I know you were upset about the whole Conan thing when they played a clip.

Did you feel, do you still feel? Well, what happened was my guy got me that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I found my dude. He got me locked in all this. We did this by ourselves. And when the USC heard about it, they sent someone over to make it like they fucking set all that up. They made it like, hey, go get Nate some clothes.

They bought me some. some Gucci shoes. I got some Gucci shoes. I wore them one time the other day to a wedding. I'll never wear Gucci shoes ever. I'm like, what the hell? And they brought me, they brought me to the store. And they're like, all right, cool.

And they went up there. And I guess word had it later. I found out that the U.C. was like, the only way you could have Nate Diz on the show is if you have Connor or two. And then my guy who linked it up was like, no, we're going on without Connor. We're going out by ourselves. It's not about him. And they're like, no, we're not.

And they're like, all right, well, then they got to at least put a clip of them on. You know what I'm saying? Isn't that kind of show what's going on? You're like, what the fuck? It's crazy. And then I got this. What did you get? In case people are not watching, it is a middle finger.

Is that like a 3D middle finger or is it a painting? Now, it's a skateboard. Look at my wall. Oh, it's a skateboard. Oh, I see, I see. Oh, wow. That looks like Supreme. Look, we got Bruce Lee.

Wow. Hold on. Bob Marley right there. The legend? Check this out. Pearl Gym with the Pro Gym. I told you that shit was sick. It was in Oakland like a week before I fought.

Speaking of that, that Bob Marley poster reminded me of something. When you showed up, there he is, E-40. One of the most famous... That's my dude right there. Big Warriors fan. He's always in the front row. Oh, the Cali rep. Yeah, you know how I do West Side. He represents all the time. The Marley poster reminded me of the 202 press conference when you showed up. With the pen, I believe it is?

Yeah, yeah. That got you a lot of street credit. A lot of people gave you respect for that. You didn't get in trouble, right? It don't matter. I banked down the cannabis industry from me. Did you get a ton of... sponsors from that? Hey, it was a good move and it was just, it was organic. They actually changed, you sought to actually change the rule after that. Do you know that?

Yeah, they change it. Complements of your boy here. You're a game changer. So now we could, now we could do our thing. Man, I've been a game changer. We just ain't get no credit for it. That's true. Dare I say, Nate, you are a needle mover.

I'm telling you. I hear that before they could act on it. Hold on, check on my board. I'm showing me my room. Oh, please, please, please. That's always great. The legend. The pioneer, yes, of course.

Oh, it's signed. What does it say? What does it say? It says two Nate and Nick fight in the good fight. Oh, yeah. Wow. Hold on, I got one more. I got my dude.

Yeah, that's my man right there. Do you know what this guy is? Is it? Oh, wait. Tilt down just a bit. it. Tilt down. No, the other way. The other way. Uh, there's a bit of a reflection, so I can't really see. Who is it? Anyways, it's Hakeson, Gracie. Oh, yes, of course. The legend of all legend. We were trained with Hakeson. Me and my partner, Victor, and we were training with

we were training with Victor and Kron. And it went somewhere. Just going to check this out. Remember this thing? Yellow, whoa. What is that? Oh, is that a bong? There's weed in here. Oh, wow. Did you make that? No, they made me one. I forget the thing. I think it's called weavers.

Holy smoke. There's a bunch of weed in here. Wow. Cool. Is it an actual glove that they turned in, or did they make the glove? See, now there's a little header in there, a little funky field tip. I don't even know what a hitter is. You smoke weed out of this.

Okay. This is great. We're actually getting a tour of your. house. I love this. Look at this. Someone made me these shoes. Let's see. Can you see them? Yeah, I could see them. Oh.

They say represent. They say Nate Diz. Can you see? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, they're Nike. Oh, sick. Yeah, you like these. You like shoes like this. You have any Reeboks? Whoever made these should make aerial apart.

That would be nice. No, I don't fuck with you. Did they ever reach out to you to try to give one of those deals? Hell no I don't get on Wheaties or Reeboks Geez They never have those That's cool

I got Nike Look at the show Made that Oh that's great Ben's just see me This shit It's fucking tight Yeah I saw the ones

Of you holding the guns The one you posted recently Oh dude Look at this Yeah That one's sick Oh yeah Tell me if I'm coming out

I'm walking around my house No no you're good You're good This is great My partner sent me this. The dude, he's an artist, he drew this after I did a poster picture in Mexico. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

The dude did, he sent me pieces. Oh, that one's awesome. I love that one. That one is tremendous. That's my favorite one. We'll put that one in my mom's house. Your mom's house? Oh, yeah.

How far does Nick live from you? Nick lives a mile from me. Okay. About a mile, my own half of me. And your mom? That way. She lives a mile and my own half of me. That way.

Okay. Do you have a relationship with your dad? Yep. He lives with my mom. Oh, okay. That's my dog. McAvelli's the Don. Yeah, where is he?

I was going to ask about him. His name is D-O-S-B-R-A-K. If anybody is look at Instagram, D-O-S-B-R-A-K. I don't know how to say it. All my dog's out here somewhere. Matt! Look at this thing.

You heard of bump boxes and big ass boomboxes? Yeah, yeah, yeah. A hell of big. This dude made one and put my dog and all kinds of cool shit all over. Look at it.

Oh my gosh. Yes, I do. Oh, my gosh. So people just send you this stuff all day? Yeah, people are in the bomb box. How do they find you? Look there.

Look there. Like, you want to buy some float? Yeah. How? Damn me. They get to buy some flow right there. I'm trying to find my dog. Who's your favorite rapper in the game right now?

Oh, man. I got a look on. Oh, there he is. Watch. Watch, I was going to check. And this is my dude Christian Giovanni right here, too. He just fought in Combat de America is in Mexico. Okay.

He's doing his thing. When to know, he's about to take over the game, as soon as you get him rolling. Good luck to him. Yeah, he's doing his thing. Watch this shit. going to get a dog trick? Come here, Mac.

I'm a drink. Come over there. I can't aim this fucking camera because it's like, why just... Can you see him? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go down a little bit. Wait. A little bit down.

Oh, there he is. Wait. Wait. Yeah. Where at the other hand. Wait, wait, wait. I can't see you now. Oh.

Oh, look at that. Turn around. Oh, yes. That was great. Watch it. Why's it? Shakes. He's him? Oh, he's so cute.

And I'm not even a dog guy. That's my nager right, sir. Does he have a handkerchief? Hold on. I was my favorite rapper. Yeah, actually, he went to the, he went and got clean, so they put a hangar tube on him. He looks like a guy. Man.

Don't let the, uh, don't let the Graham, Gumpur's for you. He's been in a hell of fights already. He fought two German Shepherds down the road. Damn. He's, gee. He's doing this thing. What are they going to say? Uh, fuck, my rappers right now.

Hey, a big shout out to, uh, Be Real from Cyper's Hill. Yeah. Tech 9. Brother Lynch shows that's some of my favorite rappers. But right now, I'm a newcomer is like, I like Fettywap is pretty tight. Okay.

Good. What about my fellow Canadian? Drizzie Drake. Oh, Drake. Drake's doing his thing, you know. Didn't you, weren't you just hang? No, your brother was just with him, right? I saw a picture of him and Martin Sano.

Were you there? Yeah, we were both in L.A., but he was at the Roosevelt, and I was in Venice. and they were hanging out. They had hotel rooms next to each other. I guess Drake was over there getting a tattoo or something, and they were all chilling.

Wow. Chelling that night. That was pretty cool. I know you can't speak for him, but everyone wants to know what's up with your brother. Do you think he will fight again? Hey, I can't speak for him. Okay, let me ask you this.

My Knicks a man. I've always wanted... They'll blow your mind every day. God, I would love to speak to him as well. Tell him next Wednesday. I'm ready. I've always wanted to ask him this. I mean, he told me one time when he was suspended for five years.

You remember that whole debacle like a year and a half ago in Nevada? And he gave me this incredible answer to a question about the just the feelings that he felt about his career and how he's been wrong and what he's been through as a child and in high school and some ups and downs. And then at the end, he just said that the part that bothers him the most is that he won't be able to corner you. He won't be there for you and he has to figure out a way to get you out of this sport. Well, you've done very well for yourself. you're a very accomplished and successful now fighter. Do you think he still feels the same way? And how do you think he feels?

And I don't know if you've talked to him about this, about the fact that now, like, you walk down the street. I feel like you're kind of more recognized than he is just because you've been more active than he is. The tables kind of turn. Yeah, just at the moment, but we're the same guy. I go to Starbucks to get some coffee every day, and I get called Nick many times.

So I think we both benefit off each other's Uh, each other's things. And, uh, uh, I think people call him Nate. They call me Nick and I stop correcting people. I'm just like, they're like, what up, Nick? I'm just like, what up, you know? So it's all good.

And, uh, yeah, I think he can feel like that regardless, even if I'm doing well, he got me into this sport and all credit goes to him for anything positive coming out of this. And I think anything negative comes out of that. I think he, he might take responsibility. But it's all good. You know, he took me off and got me going, and he's responsible for my whole career, all my everything.

He's still gone of the clinic over here. We have a gym. It's the Nick Diaz Academy. But I think he felt a little guilty sometimes, but it's all good, you know. He's got a, he's had a rough. He's had a crazy career, crazy life, and the show goes on, you know. So time will tell with him.

And I'm sure we'll see him do some good shit in the future. But either way, I support whatever he wants to do. And I think if he's going to do anything, though, it's got to be going to be something big. Because we don't need to do this. You know what I'm saying? We got a lot of stuff going on. You know, it's amazing. We're not like these other fighters anymore.

And that's what the whole grind was for. You know what I'm saying? I still trying to live my life the same way every day. But all the hard work is like, this is what it is for. You want to work hard to do whatever you want. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. You're like, you're going to fight.

You want to fight. I'm like, I don't got to do shit. You know what I'm saying? I saw him at... Sorry, I saw him at Starbucks before 202, and I asked him about that if he still felt the same way. And he said something that gave me goosebumps. He said, I guess my work. is done. He's all good. And I thought that was really cool. What do you mean? Talk about me?

Yeah. I said if he still felt like he had to get you out of the sport. Like, like it was his fault for getting you in and it was his duty to get you out. And then I said, what do you think of your brother now? Now he's making million dollars. He's main eventing. He's a star. Everyone knows him. He's on extra. All this stuff. And he said, I guess my work is done. He's all good. I thought that was cool. Yeah. All credit you know what I'm saying. All I did was follow the tracks. You know what I'm saying? everything thing was just you know knocked up to other fighters to step they game up and lead

we lead by example you know if people would step they game up and and do what they supposed to we might be getting somewhere but for now we're just chilling okay so let's recap this before we say goodbye because we've been going an hour and I don't want to take up too much time it's amazing I looked up and we were already 52 minutes in I've thoroughly enjoyed this

and I hope you have as well you're not fighting July 8th right right now Is there anything that, I mean, we're pretty close, we're May 3rd, so we're essentially, by the way, that's my birthday, July 8th, would be a very nice present for me selfishly to see you back, but you've done enough for me, so I won't, you know, I won't beg. But is there, thank you, is there anything, is it possible to get you on that card, or has that ship sailed? Are there talks, is there anything?

Time will tell, you know what I'm saying? I'm going to tell we'll see what happens But as far as fighting this year right now You're okay if you don't fight this year I didn't plan on it Okay And as far as the trilogy is concerned against Connor Which he has always said

It's going to happen, it's going to happen You're saying you don't care if it happens In your mind you believe you're up to O right? I don't want it, I don't need it I already did my thing You know so Even though that probably probably gets you a lot of money.

I think that's being bad what his manager said. He needed a lot of fight him right now. No, no, no, no, no. You got choked, motherfucker. You got beat up. You're okay. If you're okay with that last win after you got your ass with,

you're not even a fighter. You know what I'm saying? You're not even fighter if you're okay with that. So I don't need anything from anybody. I own nothing to nobody. So that's why I stand right now on everything. By the way, when's the last time you watched that fight, the second one.

Shit, I don't know a long time ago. I see clips of it all the time. But you think you thoroughly, like there's no debate, right? You won that fight. 100% I won. There's like footage of me going like, did I win that shit?

Because you always don't know what it looked like. I know what it felt like. Sure. What did it look like? I was sure I went fucking doesn't like probably eight or nine fights that I didn't win. and he didn't know there's footage of him going to do

did I win that and it's like you're right but in the fight in that fight he was the only one almost finished you know what I'm saying he'd almost finished two or three times and he got worked over

and said let's just say didn't enjoy it but how the fight went on he had been done and finished you know what I'm saying oh yeah 100% I won that fight especially after watching it

yeah and now here he is I mean, he has two belts. He's going to, they're talking about $75 million for him, $100 million for him. But we don't know. Would you watch that if it happens, McGregor Mayweather? Would you even watch it? Yeah, I'm encouraging it. Yes.

Can we hurry up and see it, please? Yes. You know. Right. So let's see it. Okay. I want to see who's going to win. Who do you think?

Me and Mayweather are pumping. Me and Mayweather are pumping him McGregor. He's got a chance. Yeah, that's right. You actually... He does. He never count anybody out in a fight. No, we count anybody out of a fight.

You have a prediction, though? I'm going to go McGregor by a knockout, Mayweather, by a decision. Which one? I don't know. I don't know. It's a fight, man.

Anything good at me. I don't have a prediction. But let's watch. More importantly, we're going to watch that fight this weekend's going to be great. Maxine Award is going to be a... Yes. Canello v. Travis Jr. That can be a great fight. You're going to be there.

I'm going to go see it. Yeah, I'm going to go check it out. Are you a guest of someone, or are you just going on your own? I talked to some Oscar to a host of those guys. They said he's going to have me out and me and my brother. So we're going to go there and check it out. It should be good. We have a lot of fun out there and watch a good fight.

I'm sure it's going to be great. Who are you pulling in that one? Two great Mexican fighters? Who do you... Hey, I'm just planning on. Just hoping for a good fight. All right. They're both great.

Wow. I like both of the guests. Yeah. And it's right after Cinco de Mayo. Is there anything that we didn't address, Nate, that you want to get off your chest, that you want to say? Do you feel like we accomplished it all, or is there anything else that you want to say? No, I think we're good to go. You enjoyed it?

It's cool. I mean, I like talking to you. I could talk to you every month, but this has kind of become like a May tradition for us. So we could do it again in 365 days or before, whatever you want. Yeah, yeah, we'll do it. We'll do something along those lines. We'll get some done. But you already got me talking too much, so I'll see in a couple of years.

No, no, no, no. Nate, it has been a pleasure. Thank you again for doing this. I sincerely appreciate it. I know a lot of fans were very excited. I do believe that you, as always, delivered for them. And I wish you the best. With the race coming up, with all the races coming up, I wish the best to your brother. Please say hi to him for me. Say hi to Chris Avila for me.

I haven't seen him in a minute as well. I will. He's training hard. He's working towards some stuff coming up. So we'll be doing good. I'll tell him. He said hi too. And we miss you on this side of the fence, but we understand where you're coming from and we hope everything works out and perhaps we'll see you sooner rather than later. But great to hear that you're in a good spot here. And again, thanks for your time here today. We appreciate it. And thanks to represent it as well for for pumping up the show on their social media. We appreciate that as well. Yeah. Yeah. Man, rep hard. Respect, respect. Yes. All right. All right. Cool. Thanks, man. I'll talk you later. Talk to you soon. There he is. The one and only

Nathan Diaz joining us once again, 344 days since we last spoke to him on this program on a special Wednesday edition of the show. There's nothing quite like an 8-Daz interview, right? Nothing quite like it. It is an amazing thing talking to him and his brother. They keep it real, as the kids like to say, and they always have a fascinating perspective on the sport, on their careers, on the world of prize fighting. And a lot of the things that are in vogue to say these days, really they have been saying since at least I've been covering the sport since 2007. I mean, you go back to interviews that

we've had and many other MMA journalists have had with both Nate and Nick and a lot of the things that people are talking about now, about getting paid, about getting respect, they were saying back when, you know, Elite X-C was doing shows in Stockton, California.

Remember that? Nick fought Thomas Denny. It has been a decade since Nate has been in the UFC and no doubt about it, He is a bigger draw and has never been more famous, more popular, more in demand than he is today. And as we've said on multiple occasions, they could use someone like Nate. And as he just said earlier, there was some contact as far as the Tony Ferguson fight is concerned for July 8th for UFC 213. The word is right now that we're going to get Cody Garbrand and T.J. Dilleshaw.

it appears as though Amanda Nunes versus Valentina Shepchenko might be on that card, certainly in July. But that card, as right the second, it feels like it could use a big main event. We are going to get D.C. versus John Jones. It appears to be on July 29th. But wouldn't it be nice to have Nate Diaz on a July 4th weekend show? I think it would be very nice. And so I feel like we addressed a lot there.

Could have gone another hour with Nate, but I think we, I think we, we covered it all. We asked it all, we covered it all, he answered it all. At one point I looked up and it was 452. I was like, holy smokes, I feel like I've only asked one question here. This is unbelievable. A lot of fun. I want to thank Zach, who he spoke of, his PR guy, Zach Rosenfield,

for helping set this up. I can't thank him enough. And I want to thank everyone at Vox, everyone in the back, Rob, Alex, Page, Austin, Joe, everyone back there for switching around their schedule and for making this happen. I really appreciate everyone on the team, I should say, at MMAfighting.com for all their support as well. You might think that this is my little home, but other people do shows here and other people come and go. And so barging in on a Wednesday afternoon isn't the easiest thing in the world, but they help move some mountains for us. So there are very few fighters that could command or demand this type of situation, this type of show, this type of special time slot.

And there is no denying that Nate Diaz is one of those. You could probably count them on one hand with all due respect. What a week it has been for the MMR from Anderson to Cyborg Megan Anderson, Dominicruz, all that stuff. It continues to be a lot of fun. And I can't wait to see what happens next. No shortage of things to discuss. Tomorrow we're back for the MMA beat,

and I think we'll have a few things to discuss. Next week, we're going to UFC 211 in Dallas. But of course, on Monday, we'll be back for our regular time slot, regular day, regular MMA hour. But I think that's it. I'm all jazzed up here. I feel like I should be talking to New York Rick. I feel like I should be asking questions.

But we're going to stay true, kind of. We're an hour and a half in. We'll stay true. somewhat to the name, the MMA hour, the MMA hour, the MMA 90 minutes, if you will. And once again, thank Nate Diaz for stopping by and thank all of you who tuned in. It appears as though many of you did, and we can't thank you enough. If you watch it live or if you watched it after the fact, if you're listening to this on iTunes or on any other outlet where you can get your audio from, whether it's Android, whatever,

thank you very much. We always appreciate your support and your listener and view. ship. You can hit my music. We are done. Wednesday afternoon. How fun is this? There's nothing like that big interview, that big moment. For me personally, this is the kind of stuff that I dream about, the kind of stuff that I live for. There's nothing more exciting and exhilarating and fun for me to do. And like I said, in this sport, it is so great to cover it because the biggest names, the superstars, the guys who have little toys, are so very excited. accessible. And when they are available to us, there's nothing like speaking to them. They are open books. No other athlete opens up like MMA athletes, in my opinion. There's nothing like it. That's why I love doing these shows. So much fun, exhilarating, enlightening, and today I thought was no different. Dare I say, we surpassed last year's interview in terms of topics covered and

questions answered. A lot of fun. I want to thank again. Nate Diaz for stopping by. Check him out on Twitter. Nate Diaz, 209. Thank you very much to represent it as well. Thank you to his team for helping to set this up. And again, thank you to all of you

and to the people here at the Vox Studios in downtown New York City for making this happen. I can't thank you enough. So we are back tomorrow for the MMA beat. That's at 1 p.m. Eastern time. And then, of course, the MMA hour is back in your life next Monday. For now, we will say goodbye. Again, thank you so much for watching. Thank you so much to Nate Diaz. See you next week. Peace. I'm out of here.