Nate Diaz could have misplaced to Mike Perry in his return to MMA, however that does not imply he is carried out preventing.
On Saturday’s Rousey vs. Carano card, which was most likely probably the most anticipated in MVP MMA, Diaz struggled to get out of the gate as Perry did loads of injury and in the end suffered some nasty cuts throughout a bout that solely lasted two rounds. Diaz’s coach stopped the battle as a result of he suffered a bleeding minimize to his face, which affected his imaginative and prescient and skill to cease Perry’s onslaught.
“I used to be indignant, however I perceive,” Diaz mentioned on the post-match press convention concerning the suspension. “My eyes had been bleeding and I knew I would not have the ability to try this exterior. I do not suppose he would have carried out rather more than that. However I used to be blinded by the blood on the correct aspect of my physique.”
The battle marked Diaz’s return to MMA after a five-year hiatus from martial arts, throughout which he continued to compete in boxing matches towards Jorge Masvidal and Jake Paul.
Diaz admitted afterward that he did not really feel the very best Saturday, however that was possible as a result of returning to MMA-focused coaching for the primary time in almost 5 years.
“I really did not really feel good in any respect. I felt like shit,” Diaz mentioned. “I will be sincere. I simply acquired again into MMA and I’ve by no means been away, however the nearer I acquired, the extra I spotted MMA is difficult work. It is arduous work. I really feel like I am beginning to numb every thing, my physique is beginning to get stiff, my legs are beginning to get stiff, every thing is beginning to click on, I am beginning to get right into a rhythm, and it is time to battle. With this fucking approach, now I am able to battle. Let’s line up one other battle and go get it.”
“I want I hadn’t been so battered and misplaced all evening. I am able to take motion now. The present goes on.”
Though the result’s disappointing, Diaz is already motivated to get again within the fitness center and might begin working in direction of a rematch with Perry, which is what he desires greater than something proper now.
That is why Diaz’s efficiency Saturday confirmed he can not compete with the highest fighters and flatly scoffed at solutions that he ought to maybe take into account calling it a profession.
“That is what I am saying, the present goes on,” Diaz mentioned. “It is the identical feeling I had once I misplaced once I was youthful. Similar as final time. There isn’t any time to take a look at. This shit is perpetually.”
“I haven’t got to cry so arduous about it once I try. Yeah, I put my gloves down within the ring. I am gone. Do I’ve to elucidate to myself why I am not preventing anymore? Do no matter you need. Proper now, I really feel like I’ve a protracted street forward of me and loads of work to do.”
Earlier than the battle, Diaz slammed Dustin Poirier for calling it a 2025 profession and hinting at retirement simply to settle unfinished enterprise between the 2. Diaz mentioned he has no want to face an opponent popping out of retirement, particularly after watching Poirier endure an emotional goodbye after shedding his final battle to Max Holloway.
The day will come when Diaz will likely be out of competitors, however not like Poirier’s send-off and different fighters who retire within the ring, he’ll possible simply give up preventing and be carried out with it.
“I do not suppose you may know (once I’ll retire),” Diaz mentioned. “Anyway, this shit is perpetually. Then folks will not be like, ‘I misplaced, I ought to cling.'” Is not this man probably the most brutal asshole who knocked out middleweight champions Luke Rockhold and Jeremy Stevens and Eddie Alvarez, who’s been the light-weight champion perpetually, leaping up and down and doing all this shit and preventing all people and getting his face fucking damaged and breaking everybody’s shit all over? Ought to I cling it? I simply fought probably the most ferocious motherfucker there. Possibly subsequent time I will should run somewhat tougher and get the job carried out. Higher cling it! Possibly I simply do not battle probably the most violent particular person, or possibly I simply battle the second most violent particular person.
“Folks say, ‘Possibly I am carried out, I am retired, my gloves are within the cage.’ And I believe I might have been high-quality if I hadn’t fought probably the most violent bastard in my life.”
It is clear that retirement shouldn’t be an possibility for Diaz, however he positively plans on recovering from the harm sustained within the battle as quickly as potential and returning with Perry as quickly as potential.
“As quickly as potential. I will heal and begin working on Monday,” Diaz mentioned. “Rematch as quickly as potential. Sacramento, Northern California. As quickly as potential.”
