Nate Diaz, is a beloved mixed martial artist, who exemplifies the “real as it gets” mentality that underpins the sport. He is the younger brother of mixed martial artist and former Strikeforce and WEC welterweight champion Nick Diaz. In addition to the UFC, Nate has competed in the WEC, Strikeforce, and Pancrase in Japan.
He is one of the most well-known names in the UFC, but came from humble beginnings. This is believed to be Diaz’s first fight. It took place back in 2002, vs. a much older and bigger Robert Limon in what looks to be a no-gloves fight, with open hand strikes.
This is one of Diaz’s first fights prior to turning pro and making his MMA debut at WEC 12, where he defeated Alejandro Garcia with a triangle choke in the first round. It was October 21, 2004.
On June 23, 2007, Nate Diaz won The Ultimate Fighter 5, which came with a six-figure contract. However, the contract was for multiple fights, and could take years to hit $100,000. He was 22 years old.
On April 20, 2013, Diaz fought Josh Thompson, and lost, earning a disclosed purse of just $15,000. There was undoubtedly a locker room bonus, but he wasn’t getting rich. When you lose in the UFC, your contracted pay stays the same. Next fight was a win over Gray Maynard. Diaz’s contract paid him $30,000.
Then the UFC signed his Team Cesar Gracie teammate Gil Melendez after a bidding war with Bellator. Gil’s contract guaranteed 75% of his fights would be on PPV, with a threshold lower than any fighter in league history. El Nino’s show money his very first fight was $175,000. Melendez went 1-6, with his sole win a decision over Diego Sanchez.
Diaz apparently learned what his teammate was making, and asked to be released from contract. At one point he was even pulled from the UFC rankings.
Diaz finally fought again, vs. Rafael Dos Anjos. His contracted income had now escalated to $20,000 to show and $20,000 to win. Diaz lost, and was fined 20% of his purse for missing weight, so made $16,000. That was his only fight in 2014. He was 29 years old.
The next year Diaz beat Michael Johnson in a Fight of the Night, making him 20+20+50. $90,000 seems like a lot of money, but it was his only fight in 2015, and you have to back out management and trainer percentages, taxes, other training expenses, and more.
He was now 30. His older brother Nick lamented every getting him into fighting.
Then Nate was on a boat in Cabo, doing a tequila shot, when he got a phone call. Do you want to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 196, a week from Saturday?
Nate did, and won, and UFC president Dana White said he made over $2,000,000 for what was then reportedly the biggest PPV in league history. Diaz’s team negotiated hard for the rematch at UFC 202, which too was one of the biggest PPVs ever. Diaz lost a controversial majority decision, but reportedly made much more than $2,000,000. That was in 2016.
Nate has since gone 2-2, losing to Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal, and defeating Anthony Pettis and most recently Tony Ferguson. Diaz fought out his contract and is likely to box next.