Nate Diaz: Career, Legal Issues, and What Comes Next

If you’ve followed MMA at all in the last decade, Nate Diaz’s name is hard to miss. He’s the fighter who beat Conor McGregor, walked out of the UFC, and now spends as much time in court as in the octagon.

Record (UFC): 22-13-0 ·
Height: 6′0″ ·
Weight: 170 lbs ·
Reach: 76″ ·
Stance: Southpaw

Here is a table of key facts about Nate Diaz.

Why is Nate Diaz no longer in the UFC?

What led to Nate Diaz’s departure from the UFC?

Nate Diaz fought his last UFC bout on September 10, 2022, defeating Tony Ferguson by submission. His contract expired after that fight, and he chose not to re-sign. Diaz has publicly expressed frustration with UFC management and fighter pay, a stance that aligns with his brother Nick Diaz’s own grievances. The UFC has not offered a new deal that satisfies Diaz’s terms, leaving him as a free agent.

Is Nate Diaz a free agent now?

Yes. As of 2024, Diaz is not signed to any promotion. He has fought one boxing match against Jorge Masvidal in July 2024, winning by majority decision, but that bout was promoted by Fanmio, not the UFC. Diaz’s free agency means he can negotiate with any organization, including PFL, BKFC, or a return to boxing. UFC.com official athlete profile still lists his status as “active” but he has no fights scheduled.

The implication: Diaz’s free agency forces a choice between cashing in on his fame elsewhere or returning to the UFC on terms he finds acceptable.

Why is Nate Diaz so famous?

What was Nick Diaz’s downfall?

Nate Diaz’s older brother Nick Diaz was also a top UFC fighter, but his career stalled due to multiple suspensions for marijuana use and a lack of fights. Nick’s downfall highlights the Diaz family’s polarizing relationship with the UFC brass. While Nate has avoided major suspensions, he carries the same defiant attitude.

How did Nate Diaz’s brother influence his career?

Nate and Nick both trained at Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Stockton, California. Their fighting styles are nearly identical: high-volume boxing, relentless pressure, and elite submission grappling. Nate’s rivalry with Conor McGregor was partly fueled by McGregor’s earlier trash talk about Nick. The Diaz brothers are known for their authenticity and refusal to play the promotion game.

What is Nate Diaz’s fighting style?

Diaz is a southpaw with a 76-inch reach, relying on precise boxing combinations and a dangerous ground game. He has 11 submission wins and 5 knockout wins in the UFC. His style is often described as “Stockton slap” – a mix of volume punching and taunting.

His record includes notable wins over Conor McGregor (submission), Donald Cerrone (submission), and Tony Ferguson (submission). For a deeper look at his martial arts roots, read about Bren Foster: Martial Artist? Speed vs Bruce Lee & Stunts.

Did Conor McGregor rematch Nate Diaz?

Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor 1 and 2

Yes, they fought twice. In March 2016, Diaz submitted McGregor in the second round. In August 2016, McGregor won by majority decision. A third fight (rubber match) has been discussed but never booked. Diaz has repeatedly called for the trilogy, but McGregor has been injured and inactive.

Who has Nate Diaz lost to?

Diaz’s losses include champions and top contenders: Benson Henderson, Rafael dos Anjos, and Jorge Masvidal (in boxing). His overall record of 22-13-0 shows he’s lost to elite competition, but he’s never been knocked out cold.

Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry

Diaz and Mike Perry have a heated rivalry, but they never fought in the UFC. Perry went to BKFC, and Diaz faced him in a boxing match? No, that’s not accurate. Actually, Diaz and Perry have never fought. The question likely refers to a potential matchup, but it never materialized.

Diaz’s biggest win remains the McGregor submission, which catapulted him into stardom.

What are the accusations against Nate Diaz?

Battery charge against Nate Diaz dismissed

In April 2023, Diaz was involved in a street altercation in New Orleans where he reportedly choked a man unconscious. He surrendered to police on April 27, 2023, facing a second-degree battery charge. According to ABC News criminal justice reporting, Diaz was booked into custody on a felony charge. However, in September 2023, the Orleans Parish district attorney declined to pursue the case, viewing the actions as self-defense. The charge was formally dismissed in 2024.

What legal issues has Nate Diaz faced?

In 2013, Diaz was reportedly suspended by the UFC for using a homophobic slur on Twitter, according to Wikipedia community encyclopedia. In 2018, a civil lawsuit filed by his former agency, The Ballengee Group, was dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction. The agency had alleged Diaz owed more than $1 million for services. More recently, in July 2024, Diaz filed a lawsuit against Fanmio and Solomon Engel, claiming he is owed $9 million from a $10 million boxing purse for the Masvidal fight. CBS Sports boxing journalism reported that the lawsuit accused them of fraud and breach of contract. Yahoo Sports MMA reporting added that Diaz had already received a $1 million payment but the remaining $9 million was not paid. In August 2024, the dispute was referred to arbitration, per BoxingTalk boxing news.

How many kids does Nate Diaz have?

Who did Nate Diaz have a baby with?

Nate Diaz has two children with his girlfriend Misty Brown. Their first child, a baby girl, was born in 2023. He also has a son from a previous relationship. Diaz’s family life is relatively private, but he has posted about his kids on social media. ESPN MMA editorial reported that Diaz grew up in Lodi, California, near Stockton, with his mother, older brother, and sister, and that his father was not around much.

Nate Diaz’s girlfriend Misty Brown

Misty Brown is Diaz’s long-term girlfriend. She has been seen supporting him at fights and events. She is not a public figure, but Diaz occasionally shares glimpses of their life together.

Timeline: Nate Diaz’s career milestones

• 2007: UFC debut.
• 2012: Submission of the Night win over Donald Cerrone.
• 2016: First fight with Conor McGregor – wins by submission.
• 2016: Rematch with McGregor – loses by majority decision.
• 2022: Final UFC fight – defeats Tony Ferguson.
• 2023: Battery charge in New Orleans.
• 2024: Charge dismissed; becomes free agent; father of second child.

What we know vs. what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Nate Diaz is a free agent as of 2024.
• He has a 22-13-0 UFC record.
• He has two children with girlfriend Misty Brown.
• The battery charge against him was dismissed.
• He fought Conor McGregor twice.

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth (estimates vary).
• Next fight opponent or promotion.
• Whether a third McGregor fight will ever happen.
• Details of his relationship with UFC management.

Quotes from Nate Diaz and the media

Be Real

Nate Diaz, via Instagram

Nate Diaz filed a lawsuit in Miami federal court against Fanmio and Solomon Engel over an alleged unpaid $9 million from a $10 million boxing purse.

ESPN boxing/legal reporting, source

Diaz’s legal filing accused Fanmio and Solomon Engel of fraud and breach of contract in the Southern District of Florida.

CBS Sports boxing journalism, source

Solomon Engel publicly denied the claims and described the lawsuit as baseless.

Yahoo Sports MMA reporting, source

Summary

Nate Diaz remains one of MMA’s most compelling figures—a fighter who never won a title but became a household name. His legal battles, both as a defendant and a plaintiff, shape his current narrative. For the UFC, the loss of Diaz means a charismatic draw is gone. For Diaz, the choice is clear: sign with a new promotion and fight again, or continue chasing the McGregor trilogy and the $9 million he believes is owed. The arbitration ahead will decide whether he gets paid or returns to the cage.

While his free agency remains unresolved, Nate Diazs legal and free agency situation provides a comprehensive overview of the legal challenges he currently faces.

Frequently asked questions