Nate Diaz Returns To MMA
Nate Diaz has confirmed his return to combat sports, as he will return to fight Mike Perry.
The five-round welterweight clash will take place on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, streaming on Netflix, on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card. This will be Diaz’s first MMA fight in nearly four years. His last appearance in a cage was at UFC 279 in September 2022, where he submitted Tony Ferguson.
Since then, Diaz has kept busy in the boxing ring, defeating Jorge Masvidal via a majority decision in July 2024. After losing seven of his final ten UFC bouts, Perry reinvented himself as a BKFC star. He is currently undefeated with a 6-0 record. Both men have shared the ring with MVP founder Jake Paul in recent years. Paul defeated Diaz via decision in 2023 and stopped Perry via 6th-round TKO in July 2024.
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| Metric | Nate Diaz | Mike Perry |
| MMA Record | 21-13 (13 Subs, 4 KOs) | 14-8 (11 KOs) |
| Last MMA Win | Sub 4 vs. Tony Ferguson (2022) | UD vs. Mickey Gall (2020) |
| Age | 40 | 34 |
| Combat Status | Active (Boxing/MMA) | Active (Bare-Knuckle) |
| Specialty | BJJ / Volume Striking | Power Punching / Durability |
The Approach
Diaz will likely utilize a long, repetitive lead jab and his trademark “Stockton Slap” to frustrate Perry and goad him into over-extending. By keeping Perry at the end of his long punches, Diaz can slowly “break” Perry’s rhythm. The most critical tactical advantage for Diaz in this MMA setting, as opposed to his recent boxing matches, is his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). If the fight hits the mat, Diaz’s submission game becomes the ultimate trump card. Expect him to look for his signature “guillotine” or “triangle” chokes.
Tactically, Perry should look to “blitz” Diaz early, testing whether the 40-year-old’s chin has diminished. By using his physical strength to pin Diaz against the fence, Perry can negate Diaz’s reach and unleash the close-quarters striking that earned him his 6-0 BKFC streak. To win, Perry must remain disciplined in his entries. His team has likely emphasized kicking the lead leg to limit Diaz’s mobility and following up with heavy overhand rights.
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Reaction
“Glad to be back in action. It’s time. Don’t forget where this all came from. I got plans on doing a lot more in the next 10 years, no matter where it is. Time to set the bar again, so get ready for a new takeover again and again until the end of time,” Diaz
“A fight for the ages, I’m looking to shut him down. May 16th LFG,” Perry stated
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