NEW YORK – Nate Diaz was disheartened and disappointed at the way his “BMF” title fight with Jorge Masvidal panned out at UFC 244, but he still kept his sense of humor intact.
During the post-fight news conference at Madison Square Garden, Diaz appeared to go on the offensive as he took aim at movie star and WWE legend Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who had just presented the “BMF” belt to Masvidal after their fight was stopped by the doctor at the end of the third round.
Diaz initially appeared irked at the sight of “The Rock” and Masvidal enjoying a conversation after the fight as he told the assembled media: “(Expletive) ‘The Rock,’ too, man! That mother(expletive) over here playing me. Seeing him over there, smiling with Masvidal. Should have had Mike Tyson handing out a belt, if anybody. I didn’t give no (expletive) about no belt anyway, but he can get it, too.
“He’s on that side. (Expletive) him. I’m on the West Coast side. Mike Tyson should have been here anyway. He’s the baddest man on the planet, right? He should have been the one.”
But, while going on his supposed anti-Rock tirade, Diaz checked himself and started to laugh, as he said: “I’m here hurting on The Rock, huh? You guys caught me at a bad time, but you know what I’m saying. The Rock’s cool. I like ‘Ballers.’ But he picked the wrong side, so he can get his ass whupped too. With all due respect, he can get it, too.”
“The Rock” is a famous alum of the University of Miami, where he was a football standout before eventually finding his fame and fortune in the WWE ring. Diaz recognized the superstar’s regional loyalties and said he understood. But he also said that if you’re not on board with Team Diaz, you’re against them.
“I know he’s on his side. He’s got to be, though. They’re from the same town. He’s got to be,” Diaz said. “But, you know, (if) you’re on his side, (expletive) you!”
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
