Nate Diaz and Dana White just might have gotten a little heated back in the day.
In an interview on Tuesday with ESPN ahead of UFC 279, Diaz revealed an alleged near-altercation that unfolded between him and the UFC president dating back to 2014. Diaz made a joke about it and claimed that he almost beat White in the incident.
When asked about Diaz’s claims on Tuesday night, White couldn’t help but laugh as well.
“Allegedly,” replied a smiling White. “Allegedly. We were drinking.”
” Does anyone else have other questions?” White replied with a smile when asked.
Diaz will headline UFC 279 Saturday, in a non-title, welterweight match against Khamzat Chimiaev. The event takes place in Las Vegas. It’s the final fight on Diaz’s UFC contract, which means that Diaz’s 15-year run with the promotion will likely soon be at an end.
White reflected on Tuesday’s UFC experience with Nick and Nate Diaz, who are two UFC legends who always march to their own beat. He called Nate Diaz a “legend” for the UFC and wished him well in his future endeavors if UFC 279 ultimately marks the end of their time together.
Even though things were a little heated in 2014.
“I almost beat up Dana White in a club one time here too, you should’ve seen it,” Diaz told ESPN with a laugh. “He was talking s***. … You should ask him. He was talking about s***, and I was having a heated argument with him. I was mad at him — I shouldn’t have been mad at him, I understand.
“It was a long time ago, when Gilbert [Melendez] did The Ultimate Fighter [20]. After everyone had left the show, we all went to the club where Dana and their afterparty was taking place. Dana is all [intoxicated].. He’s all, ‘What’s up, motherf*****?’
” I was asking him, “What’s the matter?” And he’s telling me about, ‘What do you want?’ I was like, ‘What the f*** do you think I want? More money and more f****** better fights than everyone here.’ It’s because I was never on the destination for a title though, at the time.”
Diaz found himself in an entirely different position in his career and life than he was back in 2014.. It was before his breakout win over Conor McGregor, and the fan favorite was instead stuck on a miserable contract that saw him earn just $16,000 for a loss to eventual champion Rafael dos Anjos.
That loss proved to be a pivotal moment in Diaz’s UFC career. He won his next fight against Michael Johnson, followed by the legendary defeat of McGregor. From that moment on, Diaz became one of the most prominent UFC stars.
Diaz might be unhappy with his promotion in advance of Chimaev’s swan song at UFC 279,, but he has no hatred for White.
” I’m also on Dana White’s side, but it’s all fine. But I know business. It’s all good with me,” Diaz said. “Me and Dana always got along with everything too.”
