Our present era of combined martial arts (MMA) followers could also be unfamiliar with the rise and fall of fight sports activities icon Nick Diaz, who was one of many largest (and most enjoyable) names within the business — each inside and outdoors of Final Combating Championship (UFC).
The unique Stockton slugger racked up high-profile wins for promotions like EliteXC, PRIDE FC, and Strikeforce, amongst others, which incorporates his technical knockout victory over UFC legend Frank Shamrock, a battle that avenged the lack of his longtime coach, Cesar Gracie.
That’s in all probability why it’s so painful for Gracie to look at Diaz wrestle at age 41.
“He was one of the best I’ve ever seen,” Gracie informed Legacy TV. “However like I mentioned, as soon as he began to hang around with … I believe Ronda Rousey bought him ingesting. You already know what I imply? She would come up earlier than she was well-known, she’d hang around and every thing. However she might drink, it wasn’t her fault, however he could not. He could not drink. He can’t do issues like that. And that set him on a distinct path. Swiftly his associates had been Hollywood associates. His associates had been Las Vegas associates, they had been kinda bizarre. He went on a path … however I can’t go on that path. That’s not my path, I gained’t observe him onto that path. All I can do is keep on the surface and look ahead to him to return to my path — however I gained’t observe his path.”
Like his older brother, Nate Diaz carved out a memorable profession in UFC and scored a number of mega-money paydays, regardless of getting “conned” by UFC CEO Dana White. That mentioned, Nate has emerged because the extra grounded and steady Diaz brother, constructed on a stable basis of family and friends.
“I bought love for the man — I like him,” Gracie continued. “At 16 I skilled him, I used to be like a father to him, when you wanna say that, an older brother, father, no matter. However I’ve to attend for him to wish to be on this different path. He’s gotta do what makes him completely satisfied. If he needs to do one other battle, go forward. If he doesn’t, don’t. I don’t suppose he actually does. He understands what he has to present, to do, to signify himself. I believe he’s an incredible instructor, I would love him to perhaps share and get a love for instructing, and perhaps have his personal academy and educate. One other factor too, I believe it’s essential … what Nate did is he bought married to somebody who kinda retains him grounded, has mentality, and Nick by no means had that.”
Perhaps that’s factor, contemplating what occurred in late 2017.
Diaz (26-10, 2 NC) was imagined to make his return on the UFC 310 pay-per-view (PPV) card this weekend in Las Vegas, however dropped out previous to the occasion for causes not defined. Taking his place is streaking welterweight sensation Themba Gorimbo.
For the remainder of the UFC 310 battle card and PPV lineup click on right here.
