Nate Diaz caps insane UFC comeback with massive callout
Nate Diaz wasted no time Nate Diaz returned to the Octagon for the first time in three years Saturday and it was as if he never left. He out-struck former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis in the co-main event of UFC 241 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and won a unanimous decision.
Scores were 30-27 twice and 29-28.
After his victory, he called out Jorge Masvidal, who is coming off a five-second knockout victory over Ben Askren last month in Las Vegas.
"The reason I've been off is because everybody sucks..."
Nate Diaz beats Anthony Pettis by unanimous decision and says he wants Jorge Masvidal next. #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/u9HUwvAale— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 18, 2019
It was vintage Diaz. He fought at a high pace, using the 1-2 to great effect and hitting Pettis with several hard elbows. He also controlled Pettis in the moments the fight went to the ground and never let Pettis mount a significant attack.
Pettis did cut Diaz over the right eye with an elbow late in the second round, but Diaz never let it bother him.
“That’s the Nate Diaz Army m----- f------!” Diaz shouted after it ended.
It would have been a significant win in any event, but considering the long layoff and the fact that Pettis had fought seven times in his absence only added to the legend.
He walked through most of Pettis’ punches and had several submission attempts. Diaz had Pettis’ back in the second, then hurt him with a knee to the body in the third and nearly finished him.
Pettis gutted it out but it was clear when the final bell sounded that Diaz was back. After calling out Masvidal, he walked over to the side of the cage where former interim champion Colby Covington was seated and began to shout at him.
The crowd chanted his name all night and Diaz reveled in what may have been the most significant win of his career.
‘Everybody sucked’
Diaz left the crowd under no illusions as to why they had been forced to wait so long to see him fight once more, claiming the reason was because ‘everybody sucked’ in his post-fight interview.
The UFC superstar then went on to issue his challenge to Masvidal - a tantalising prospect for UFC head honcho Dana White.
“With this belt, I want to defend it against Jorge Masvidal, (he) had a good last fight,” Diaz said.
“All respect to the man, but there ain’t no gangsters in this game anymore.
It's so great to have Nate back. So much fun. #UFC241
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) August 18, 2019
“There ain’t nobody who does it right but me and him, so I know my man is a gangster, but he ain’t no west coast gangster.”
The camera panned to a clearly delighted Masvidal as Diaz made his declaration, with his desired opponent seen cheering and revving up the crowd.
WITH YAHOO SPORT AU