Nate Diaz Doesn’t Think Gaethje and Poirier Fit the Criteria for BMF Fight

Diaz Thinks Gaethje and Poirier Are Dorks

The last time the BMF title was on the line was at UFC 244 in November 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, it was the UFC’s 500th event as well. This was for the inaugural BMF title and it was fought for between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. Masvidal defeated Diaz via. third-round TKO when the cage-side doctors ruled Diaz unfit to continue the rest of the fight as Diaz had huge cuts above and below his right eye. The title won by Masvidal was never defended.

Now, the UFC has decided to bring the BMF title back since Jorge Masvidal retired from MMA competition following his loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 this past April. Nate Diaz has also left the UFC after completing his contract at UFC 279 last year when he defeated Tony Ferguson via. fourth-round submission.

Diaz doesn’t view Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje as a good fit for the second-ever fight for the BMF title. Diaz told Inside Fighting, “I don’t feel they meet the criteria. Yeah, they’re dorks, Poirier and Gaethje, right?”

Dustin Poirier (29-7-1 MMA, 21-6-1 UFC) last fought at UFC 281 in November of last year, defeating Michael Chandler by submission in the third round. Justin Gaethje (24-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) was last seen in the Octagon at UFC 286 in March, this year, defeating rising contender- Rafael Fiziev via. Majority Decision. Gaethje ended Fiziev’s six-fight winning streak. Their fight at UFC 291 will be a rematch as Poirier and Gaethje previously fought in August of 2018, Poirier won the back-and-forth bout via. fourth-round TKO.

New Stipulation for Diaz vs. Paul?

This is what Nate Diaz told me last month about the possibility of the fight going from eight rounds to 10 rounds https://t.co/s9gju5f03c pic.twitter.com/SC1ZPXo6eo

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) June 13, 2023

Diaz is set to box Jake Paul on August 5th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Initially, the bout was set to be contested at 185 pounds, eight rounds, and 10-ounce gloves. Now, it seems the boxing fight may be changed to 10 rounds since Diaz told ESPN’s Marc Raimondi last month, “If I’m going to get knocked out, it’s going to be right off the the gate or the next three f****** rounds. But if not, then it’s like you’re in big trouble and I’m already willing to get knocked out. Are you willing to get tired and get your f****** ass whipped and knocked the f*** out?”

Nate Diaz has requested his fight with Jake Paul be extended from eight rounds to 10 rounds and Paul has agreed to the change, both teams confirmed with ESPN. They are now waiting on approval from the Texas Combative Sports Program. #PaulDiaz

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) June 13, 2023

The statement seems to have caught Paul’s attention as he tweeted, “Nate Diaz wants 10 rounds. I guess he has good cardio. Ok Nathan, 10 rounds it is.” It’s been reported that Nate Diaz initially requested the fight be increased to 10 rounds and Paul has agreed to it, and now they are waiting for approval from the Texas Combative Sports Program via. ESPN, or could Diaz just be playing mind games with Paul? After the news broke, Diaz took to Twitter to say “I’m good wit 8.”

I’m good wit 8

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) June 13, 2023