The long-anticipated boxing match set to be contested between UFC legend Nate Diaz and UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal goes down Saturday night time on the Honda Heart in Anaheim, California.
The combat is scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds.
Struggle followers can stream Fanmio’s Final Man Standing: Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 dwell on DAZN, starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
The Origins
Though this would be the first time Diaz and Masvidal meet within the boxing ring, they’ve already competed as soon as beneath the UFC banner in a landmark combat for the promotion. The 2 fought in the primary occasion at UFC 244 at Madison Sq. for the inaugural UFC BMF title again in 2019. The combat acquired nice fanfare and promotion, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson even readily available to “belt” the winner. Nevertheless, the combat ended unceremoniously on the finish of the third spherical when a reduce above the attention rendered Diaz unable to compete on the orders of the cageside physician.
At first, Diaz and Masvidal had been cordial and sportsmanlike with each other, as they’d been throughout the construct up. Nevertheless, when Masvidal provided to run the combat again in opposition to Diaz’ older brother, Nick, a UFC legend in his personal proper, the youthful Diaz took exception to that, and two have been chirping at each other ever since.
No Love Misplaced
Since their UFC 244 tilt, Masvidal and Diaz have down separate, distinctive paths, each of which resulted of their UFC departures. Diaz had a really public divorce from the promotion, ending out his contract by filling in in opposition to Leon Edwards at UFC 263, then by beating Tony Ferguson on 24 hours discover at UFC 279 after some controversial weigh-in antics from Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC insisted on Diaz preventing Chimaev within the remaining combat on his deal, and with the combat happening 14 months after the Leon Edwards combat, Diaz burned 14 months off his profession in anticipation of his remaining UFC marching orders.
From there, he instantly leapfrogged into the world of boxing, the place he had a pleasant payday in opposition to Jake Paul, albeit whereas dropping a unanimous resolution in his debut. He’s since been exchanging phrases with Masvidal within the media, which, together with demand, led to this combat getting booked.
Masvidal, in the meantime, has had his fingers full with post-UFC with not solely Diaz, but in addition arch rival Colby Covington and UFC legend Chael Sonnen. After preventing Covington within the second-to-last combat on his deal, Masvidal assaulted Covington at a Miami restaurant. He accepted a plea settlement to just accept a misdemeanor battery cost in 2023, and so he then turned his consideration towards life after the UFC. That future had Diaz in it first, and if Masvidal can beat Diaz for a second time, he can shut the chapter on his longstanding feud with the Diaz Brothers whereas probably placing Paul, a current Diaz opponent, firmly in his crosshairs.
Although Masvidal took the primary combat, the added components of 5 years’ distinction and the brand new realm {of professional} boxing may make this a toss-up (Masvidal is presently a -275 favourite on most sportsbooks). It ought to be a enjoyable one — the UFC even took the time to advertise the matchup by its cell app.
Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 Outcomes
Essential Card
Nate Diaz def. Jorge Masvidal by way of Majority Choice (95-95, 97-93, 98-92)
Shane Mosley Jr. def. Daniel Jacobs by way of Unanimous Choice (99-91, 99-91, 100-90)
Chris Avila def. Anthony Pettis by way of Unanimous Choice (58-56, 59-55, 59-55)
Curmel Moton def. Nikolai Buzolin by way of Knockout at 1:39 of Spherical 2
Amado Vargas def. Sean Garcia by way of Knockout at :46 of Spherical 6
Devin Cushing def. Manny Correa by way of Unanimous Choice (77-75, 78-74, 80-72)
