Nate Diaz has been competing in the UFC since winning The Ultimate Fighter in Season Five as a lightweight when he was just 21 years old.
He has since competed across three weight divisions, fought for the lightweight world title and amassed 14 victories inside the UFC.
These accomplishments have been overshadowed by a single win over an Irishman fighting up two weight classes in Conor McGregor.
With the win over McGregor at UFC 196, and a rematch now booked for UFC 202, Diaz has the chance to become the company’s next big star.
Diaz has always been far from the most conventional guy and has refrained from being anything other than the rawest version of himself.
Diaz represents his trainers Cesar Gracie and Richard Perez, his teammates and his hometown of Stockton above all else.
He has often skipped promotional duties, interviews, media obligations, and has been involved in fights out of the cage. Despite all of this he has become a fan favourite. Diaz holds the UFC record for post-fight bonus awards, a testament to his fan friendly, relentless style.
Fan favourite does not translate into bankable star though. With the UFC in need of new stars with real drawing power, Nate Diaz seems willing to fill that void and said a second win over McGregor could prove he has taken over.
With Diaz now receiving more exposure from two McGregor fights than his entire career, it’s possible to see him become a breakout star now. Sure he has taken some losses and been soundly beaten by the lightweight elite, but his big brother Nick is a huge star for the company despite never playing the UFC game and recording very few impressive wins.
The new welterweight champion Tyron Woodley called Nick Diaz out just this week. He did so because it’s a big money fight, and is despite the fact Nick has dropped his last three fights and his most recent win was a decision of now featherweight BJ Penn.
UFC president Dana White previously stated that Nate Diaz doesn’t move the needle when referring to ratings and Pay Per View (PPV) numbers. He was correct, but that’s changing.
Diaz has headlined and co-headlined many UFC shows on Fox and PPV, and always drawn respectable numbers, though has never been the main draw on a huge show – until now.
Should Nate Diaz win the McGregor rematch at UFC 202, the UFC would be wise to give him a big promotional push and begin marketing him as a genuine star.
Diaz could also jump to the front of the line in the lightweight division and make a very interesting and winnable fight against new champion Eddie Alvarez.
Alvarez has already called for the winner of this fight and previously called out Diaz over a backstage run-in after he fought Nate’s teammate Gilbert Melendez.
Nate Diaz as a UFC champion would surely become big business and finally turn him into one of the sport’s biggest attractions.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I don't rate him. He can barely talk English and has questionable habits like his brother. Hit the jackpot getting Conor Mac and admittedly a great performance. But it'll be short lived
Reece Huxley
Roar Rookie
Hey jimmy, I agree with lots of what you said mate. There's no way he fights story but, maybe cerrone if he wins. Nate isn't beating the top 170 pound guys but I think he could beat top lightweights still including the champ. The thing in nates favor is nobody at 155 is a big draw or name. The last title fight was on fight pass. Khabib is the best at 55 but nobody cares about him and him as champ sells even less. I see Diaz v Alvarez if Nate wins. I also think that's why they haven't announced anything for Eddie yet and they made RDA v ferguson to leave it open for Nate
Reece Huxley
Roar Rookie
Gavin, mma records don't matter and never will, this isn't boxing where bring undefeated is super important. And I think beating Conor twice does lots for him. Conor is a huge featherweight and Nate is a lightweight so I don't see the weight difference as taking that much credibility away from Nate. I think he can be a star because he's exactly the same as his brother Nick who is a big star
jimmy
Guest
Dana has shown he doesn't care too much for rankings when it comes to making fights (eg. Hendo), but its still hard to imagine him getting behind Diaz...the guy's been a disaster for years, and only finds himself in this position because RDA pulled out of the Conor fight. Welterweight is stacked, so he has no chance there. He's no moving ahead of Wonderboy, Robbie, Rory, Maia etc... His best chance is still at lightweight (although who knows if he'll ever make weight again in this division), but even there he's not a top 5 fighter. Barboza would probably beat him too, so he's not top 6. Think the Conor fight is just a one-off thing...If he wins and stays at welterweight, maybe the winner of Story/Cerrone? At lightweight, maybe the loser of RDA/Ferguson?
KingKongBundy
Guest
Oh Gavin
Gavin
Guest
Diaz will never be the next big shot. Even with another win over Conor (which i suspect he might get), he's just not that marketable. His record stands at 19-10 which is far from impressive. He lost to RDA, who in turn lost to Alvarez. A lot is being made of this fight with McGregor, but it does nothing for Diaz in terms of his credibility, but a hell of a lot for the UFC and McGregor himself.