Despite Nate Diaz declaring plans to leave the UFC after his win over Tony Ferguson, Dana White had nothing but praise for a fighter who has spent the last 15 years on his roster.
“He’s been here forever,” White said of Diaz at the UFC 279 post-fight press conference. It’s been great having him here. I wish him well.
“Me and him had this discussion months ago at the offices. He can do whatever he wants, and I wish him the very best. It’s been great having him here. It’s been awesome having him here.”
Just prior to UFC 279, Diaz announced the formation of his own promotion — Real Fight, Inc. — where he plans to hold boxing matches, MMA fights, and even grappling competitions.
In addition to those plans, Diaz said he hopes to conquer other sports outside the UFC, with many believing a transition into boxing would be a natural fit, especially with lucrative fights against names like Jake Paul potentially awaiting him.
Diaz promised, however, that he would return to UFC eventually — and White, it seems, would be happy for him to do so.
“No matter what Nate does from here on out, this is his house,” White said.
White expected that UFC 279”s main event would unfold exactly as it did. Ferguson and Diaz both brought their best to each other up until Ferguson’s fourth round guillotine choke.
White paid credit to Diaz, Ferguson and others who stepped in to save the event after KhamzatChimaev lost weight. However, White was forced to question Ferguson’s takedown that led to the final submission.
“Listen to both of them, who are older men that have been here a while. It was what I expected,” White said.
“[Nate Diaz is] so durable and so tough. Literally, I’m not sure if your monitors are working or if you’re able to hear the conversation, but Tony and I went into Tonys corner. His corner told him to take [Diaz] out. [They] told him, “Take him down.” He was clearly causing damage by kicking the front leg and cutting that leg. His corner ordered him to get down. Nate took advantage of that immediately he had done it .”
