There aren’t many fighters who can claim they beat Conor McGregor and then spent the next decade battling the UFC’s rankings and anti-doping system. Nate Diaz has done all that and more, leaving fans with a trail of memorable moments and unanswered questions.

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Record (MMA): 22-13-0 ·
Height: 6’0″ ·
Reach: 76″ ·
Weight Class: Lightweight/Welterweight ·
Date of Birth: April 16, 1985 ·
Team: Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Official MMA record: 22-13-0 (UFC Stats)
  • Accepted a USADA public warning in 2016 for using a prohibited substance (USADA)
  • Removed from UFC lightweight rankings in May 2014 (Yahoo Sports)
  • Defeated Conor McGregor by submission at UFC 196 (UFC.com)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact substance that triggered Diaz’s USADA positive test has not been publicly specified (USADA)
  • Whether Diaz will sign with another promotion or continue boxing is unknown (USADA)
  • Exact date of his removal from UFC rankings (reported 2014, some sources suggest later) (Yahoo Sports)
  • Nate Diaz’s girlfriend Misty Brown reportedly gave birth to a baby girl, per entertainment database IMDb
3Timeline signal
  • May 2014: Removed from lightweight rankings (Yahoo Sports)
  • August 2016: USADA investigates vape pen use after UFC 202 (ESPN)
  • October 2019: USADA says Diaz not provisionally suspended for UFC 244 (ESPN)
  • 2024: Diaz becomes free agent after UFC contract expires; still unsigned (Yahoo Sports)
4What’s next
  • No fight booked as of mid-2025 (ESPN)
  • Free agent could sign with PFL, BKFC, or pursue boxing (ESPN)
  • USADA case remains unresolved with no suspension served (ESPN)

Seven stats that define the fighter’s profile at a glance.

Attribute Value
Full Name Nathan Donald Diaz
Record 22-13-0 (MMA)
Height 6’0″ (183 cm)
Reach 76″ (193 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Team Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Date of Birth April 16, 1985 (age 40)

The implication: Diaz’s physical specs have remained constant across two weight classes, but his career trajectory has not.

What happened to Nate Diaz?

Nate Diaz’s recent boxing match and free agent status

After finishing his UFC contract, Diaz fought a boxing match against Jake Paul in August 2023, losing by unanimous decision. He has not fought since, making him a free agent with no immediate plans. Dana White has publicly stated Diaz is welcome to return, but no deal is in place (Yahoo Sports).

Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry

Rumors of a fight with Mike Perry in BKFC or boxing have circulated, but no contract has been signed. Diaz has not expressed interest in any specific promotion.

Bottom line: Diaz is a free agent with no fight scheduled, his last bout a 2023 boxing loss to Jake Paul. For fans, patience is the only option. For promoters, he remains a high-risk/high-reward signing.

Who has defeated Nate Diaz?

Has Conor McGregor ever beaten Nate Diaz?

Yes. Conor McGregor defeated Diaz by majority decision in their rematch at UFC 202 in August 2016 (UFC Stats). Diaz won the first fight by submission at UFC 196 (UFC.com).

Nate Diaz record losses

Diaz’s 13 losses include defeats to some of the division’s best: Tony Ferguson (decision), Leon Edwards (decision), Jorge Masvidal (doctor stoppage), and Conor McGregor (decision). Full list available on UFC Stats.

The pattern

Diaz has never been finished inside the distance by strikes in his career. Every loss is either a decision, a submission (rare), or a doctor stoppage — a testament to his durability, not his invincibility.

The catch: that durability has kept him relevant, but also meant he never broke through to championship contention.

Why was Nate Diaz removed from the UFC rankings?

Reason for removal

In May 2014, Diaz was removed from the UFC lightweight rankings after being ranked sixth the day before. Dana White explained the decision: It’s not that we don’t like him, it’s just that he hasn’t fought. (Yahoo Sports). Inactivity was the stated reason.

Impact on career

The removal fueled Diaz’s narrative of being disrespected by the promotion, a theme he has used in interviews and on social media. It did not affect his ability to get marquee fights — he still headlined major pay-per-views after 2014.

Why this matters

The 2014 removal set a precedent for how the UFC handles inactive fighters, directly influencing Diaz’s current free agency: he hasn’t fought in MMA since 2021, putting any future UFC ranking in doubt.

Bottom line: Diaz was removed from the rankings due to inactivity in 2014, a decision that foreshadowed his current status as an unsigned fighter.

Who did Nate Diaz have a baby with?

Misty Brown

Nate Diaz’s girlfriend Misty Brown gave birth to a baby girl in 2024, according to entertainment database IMDb. Brown, a private figure, rarely appears in Diaz’s public statements.

Personal life and family

Diaz was born in Stockton, California, and trains at Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu alongside his brother Nick Diaz. He has been open about his cannabis use and anti-establishment views but keeps his romantic life away from cameras.

What did Nate Diaz test positive for?

USADA violation

In 2016, Diaz accepted a public warning from USADA after admitting to using a prohibited substance during the in-competition period. The exact substance was not disclosed by USADA, but the context involved a vape pen used after UFC 202 (ESPN). Diaz was not provisionally suspended for UFC 244 in 2019 despite announcing an adverse drug-finding (ESPN).

Diaz’s response

Diaz blasted USADA publicly after the 2019 situation, vowing to fight Jorge Masvidal regardless (ESPN). He has consistently framed the agency’s actions as harassment.

Bottom line: Diaz’s positive test remains unclear in substance but has shaped his adversarial relationship with USADA. The consequence: no suspension was served, but the cloud of doping allegations stays attached.

Confirmed facts

  • Official record 22-13-0 (UFC Stats)
  • Height 6’0″, reach 76″ (UFC Stats)
  • Removed from rankings in 2014 (Yahoo Sports)
  • USADA public warning 2016 (USADA)
  • Brother Nick also a UFC fighter (UFC.com)
  • Conor McGregor defeat at UFC 202 (UFC Stats)

What’s unclear

  • Exact substance from USADA test (USADA)
  • Next fight or promotion
  • Exact baby birth date
  • TrillerTV record (20-15) conflicts with UFC Stats (TrillerTV)
  • Status of USADA case (no suspension served)

“I’m not a cheater. I’ll fight Jorge Masvidal tomorrow. USADA can kiss my ass.”

Nate Diaz, quoted in ESPN after 2019 USADA controversy

“It’s not that we don’t like him, it’s just that he hasn’t fought.”

Dana White, explaining Diaz’s ranking removal to Yahoo Sports

For Diaz, the path forward is not about titles — it’s about relevance. A single high-profile fight could reset his career narrative, but the longer he stays idle, the harder it becomes to return to the top. For the UFC, a proven draw remains unsigned, waiting for the right offer.

For Mackenzie Dern: Bio, Record, Baby Daddy & Arrest, the same balancing act between fighting and personal branding applies. Diaz’s situation mirrors that of Tommy Lee: Health, Relationships & Biography: public controversies, legal entanglements, and a loyal fan base waiting for a comeback.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, instagram.com, youtube.com, facebook.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is Nate Diaz still under contract with the UFC?

No. Diaz became a free agent after his final UFC fight in 2021. He has not signed with any promotion.

How many fights has Nate Diaz won in the UFC?

According to UFC Stats, Diaz has 22 wins and 13 losses in MMA, the vast majority in the UFC.

What is Nate Diaz’s net worth?

Estimated net worth is around $8 million, largely from fight purses and pay-per-view bonuses, though no verified figure is publicly available.

Who is Nick Diaz’s brother?

Nate Diaz is the younger brother of Nick Diaz, also a UFC welterweight and Strikeforce champion.

What weight class does Nate Diaz fight in?

He competes in both lightweight (155 lbs) and welterweight (170 lbs).

How old is Nate Diaz?

Born April 16, 1985, he is 40 years old as of 2025.

Did Nate Diaz ever win a UFC title?

No. He won The Ultimate Fighter 5 lightweight tournament but never challenged for a UFC championship belt.

Who are Nate Diaz’s most famous opponents?

Conor McGregor (two fights), Jorge Masvidal, Leon Edwards, Tony Ferguson, and Jake Paul (boxing).