Two former UFC stars are operating it again — however, in a distinct sport. Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz are set to struggle in a boxing bout later this yr. And we’ve obtained all the pieces it’s essential know concerning the guaranteed-heated conflict.
Masvidal and Diaz first squared up within the UFC’s Octagon in 2019, once they competed for the inaugural “BMF” championship. They duked it out on the world-famous Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis at UFC 244. The 2 welterweights collided for 3 rounds, however the headliner unceremoniously ended after Diaz sustained a nasty minimize over his eyebrow.
The cageside physician waved off the contestant forward of the fourth body, and “Gamebred” was topped the group’s “Baddest Motherf*****.”
Properly, quick ahead almost 5 years, and the rivals will go to struggle once more. Now not beneath contract with the UFC, Masvidal and Diaz will function the headlining act for Fanmio’s “Final Man Standing” boxing occasion on June 1, in response to a press launch acquired by WGTC. It’s a pay-per-view card, that means followers are going to should fork over some money to look at it.
It’ll be obtainable on Fanmio’s web site and may be pre-ordered for $49.99. Per the platform, the worth level will stay till Friday, April 12, after which it’ll enhance to $79.99.
The occasion is together with Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing Promotions and Diaz’s Actual Struggle Inc. It’ll happen on the Kia Discussion board in Los Angeles, California, and stay occasion tickets can be up for grabs in some unspecified time in the future — on the time of this writing, tickets and pricing haven’t been made obtainable.
The duel is scheduled for 10 rounds within the gentle heavyweight division (175 kilos). The platform promised that the “mega occasion” will characteristic a “loaded undercard” in addition to a “multi-city promotional tour.” Content material will even be launched forward of the struggle that’ll take followers into the fighters’ coaching camps.
If struggle followers bear in mind, this isn’t Fanmio’s first foray right into a stay boxing occasion. They placed on Floyd Mayweather’s bout with Logan Paul in 2021.
June 1 will mark the top of Masvidal’s short-lived retirement. “Gamebred” introduced he was hanging his gloves up after dropping a unanimous determination to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in April 2023. He has one skilled boxing bout on his resume — a majority determination victory over Joseph Benjamin in 2005. This occasion is Diaz’s second straight boxing enterprise. He fought Jake Paul final August, and was on the shedding finish of the judges’ scorecards. Previous to that, Diaz left the UFC after triumphing over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022.
“Nate’s a useless man strolling,” Masvidal declared in a press release. “I can’t wait to show that final time was no fluke. He obtained saved by the referee. Now we’re boxing, which he says is his forte, however he’s obtained no shot at beating me. I’m not going to offer him an inch in that ring to even breathe. If he thought our MMA match was unhealthy, that is going to be a lot worse. I’m going to drown him. I wish to put away any discuss that him and I are the identical, or that the referee saved the day.
“All of that discuss ends June 1. Violence and throwing fingers are in each of our bloods however as I proved earlier than, I’m a far superior athlete and I’m a meaner fighter. When June 1 comes I’ll put all unanswered inquiries to relaxation, stay for the world to see.”
Masvidal is true about getting the higher of Diaz once they fought. Earlier than the bout was referred to as off, Masvidal was dominating the scorecards and in-cage motion along with his placing and grappling. However, with the years passing them by and the ruleset minimizing to simply fists, issues may shake out otherwise for the Stockton, California native.
However, one factor is for sure: The unhealthy blood between the 2 stays.
This boxing match has been rumored for months, so its announcement isn’t a shock for individuals who preserve their fingers on the heart beat of the blended martial arts world. Gamebred has additionally hung out selling the match between them. He posted a photograph on X final month of himself standing in entrance of Nick Diaz Academy in Stockton, writing, “too unhealthy nobody was there, giving out free classes.” See the photograph under:
We haven’t heard a lot on Diaz’s finish, nevertheless. However, now that the struggle is official, count on Diaz to begin delivering some sound bites by way of the press, and quips on X.
