ANAHEIM, Calif. – Nate Diaz is back at UFC 241, and he’s as worry free as ever going into Saturday’s matchup with Anthony Pettis.
At Wednesday’s open workout, Diaz (19-11 MMA, 14-9 UFC) stepped on the stage in front of fans and lit up a joint, which he passed into the crowd. He then entered a scrum area with more than a dozen camera pointed at him and downplayed any sort of rivalry with Pettis (22-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC).
“There’s no beef at all,” Diaz told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I’m OK. I’m here as a business man and a natural born killer, and I’m here to get the job done, and he’s the guy to do it on. It’s no problem. It’s all good with me. I’m just here to (expletive) kill and stay alive for the weekend.”
Although the history between Diaz and Pettis dates back several years, there apparently is no ill will. Diaz didn’t like the fact that Pettis owns a win over his good friend and teammate, Gilbert Melendez, but that fight occurred in December 2014.
In the lead-up to UFC 241, which takes place at Honda Center, the UFC pushed out a promotion where Diaz called Pettis “the Wheaties box guy.” It was overlaid with a tone that Diaz was jealous of the former UFC champion, but he insisted that’s not the case.
“Why am I jealous of him? That was blown out of proportion a little bit,” Diaz said. “At the time, I was not jealous of him, but I was mad that they were handing him (everything) – just like Conor (McGregor). I did more work than all these guys then they’re pushing them as the guys, and if you’re a fighter and they’re pushing this and this guy, I’m definitely going to separate myself and say (expletive) that. I’m the guy.
“That’s why I say (expletive) the Wheaties box, man. I’m a fighter. I want to fight him because why the hell is he on it? I’ve been here. It’s nothing personal.”
Diaz, who hasn’t fought since his majority-decision loss to McGregor in August 2016, has long felt he didn’t get his rightful respect from the UFC brass for his accomplishments. He’s believed he’s fought the good fight, and while he still sees room for improvement, there’s been progress made.
“I think (I’m getting more respect), because I took it,” Diaz said. “No one at the whole roster for the last three years, no one even reads the blueprint. I’m like, ‘It’s right there. Why don’t you go take it?’ Nobody did. Tomorrow if somebody jumps up and says they’re the man I’m taking that position. (Expletive) that.”
In classic fashion, Diaz jumped around a variety of talking points as he spoke to reporters for more than 11 minutes. It was a scene that’s been missing from the sport for years, and while Diaz is back for this fight with “Showtime,” he said he’s not committing to anything beyond UFC 241.
“I can’t tell you (what happens after this fight),” Diaz said. “I’m going to fight this weekend, and time will tell on all that stuff. We’ll see what happens.”
