Nate Diaz Weight Class in MMA and Boxing Explored

Nate Diaz is one of the legends in the MMA as he has been a part of some high-profile fights. The never-stay-down attitude of the American fighter is widely adored by the fans. Nate Diaz is currently eyeing a return to the UFC in 2024 but which weight class will he be a part of going further? Let’s find out.

Fondly called the “Stockton Slugger,” Diaz has been a part of multiple weight divisions in the UFC. He has an impressive record on all of them. So, we’ll also analyze which division will be the best for Nate Diaz as he makes his much-awaited return to the MMA as he nears the age of 40.

Nate Diaz Weight Class: Unraveling His Division in MMA:

Nate Diaz, also known as the “Stockton Slap” or “Stockton Slugger” is one of the most prolific mixed martial artists in the UFC. He has been a part of the Dana White-run promotion for over 15 years after winning The Ultimate Fighter 5. Diaz made his UFC debut as a lightweight contender in the final of the tournament against another rookie Manvel Gamburyan.

Between 2004 and 2010, Nate Diaz was a part of the UFC’s Lightweight (155lbs) weight class and then he moved up to the Welterweight division (170lbs) and remained there till 2011. After that, he returned to the lightweight division in 2015. In 2016, Nate Diaz again moved to the Welterweight class.

Currently, Nate Diaz weighs around 170lbs and stands at 6 feet tall. He is a part of the Welterweight division. Nate Diaz had his last MMA fight against seasoned fighter Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. He won the bout via submission by catching him in a guillotine choke when he dived for a takedown.

Nate Diaz vs Jake Paul was Held in Which Division?

After defeating Ferguson at UFC 279, Nate Diaz seemingly bid adieu to the world of MMA. However, the Stockton-based fighter didn’t hang up his boots and decided to fight the social media sensation rising in the boxing ranks, Jake Paul. The two squared off on August 05, 2023.

The crossover boxing match between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz was held at the catchweight of 185lbs. Jake usually fights in the cruiserweight division while Diaz is a natural welterweight. The fight would’ve taken place in the Middleweight division if it was an MMA fight but there is no such weight class in boxing.

Which Weight Class will Nate Diaz Return to in MMA?

Ever since Nate Diaz teased the possibility of returning at UFC 300, there have been speculations about who could be his opponent and which weight class he’d join upon returning. Formerly, the Stockton southpaw fought primarily in the lightweight division but was a part of the welterweight class when he last fought.

Nate Diaz may be fighting in the welterweight (170lbs) weight class upon his return to the MMA and the UFC. However, he may even cut some pounds to go back to the lightweight division if Dana White wants him to do so as revealed in some previous rumors.

Nate Diaz MMA Stats & Record:

Nate Diaz is a veteran mixed martial artist who has been a part of the UFC for more than 15 years. He joined the promotion by winning The Ultimate Fighter 5 show. Before that, Diaz competed in other promotions such as World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and Pancrase.

Diaz has also tried his hands at boxing. His debut came in a losing effort against Jake Paul in August 2023. One thing that many fans don’t know about Diaz is that he has the third most UFC bonus awards with 16 in total. Although he hasn’t ever won a UFC title belt, he has regularly been a contender for the championship.

Here’s an overview of Nate Diaz’s stats and MMA career record:

• Record: 21-13-0
• Wins by KO/Submission: 81%
• DOB: April 16, 1985
• Age: 38 years
• Stance: Southpaw
• Style: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Reach: 76 inches
• Height: 6-feet
• Current weight: 170 lbs

Will Nate Diaz Return to the UFC?

Nate Diaz is openly teasing his return to the UFC in 2024. He took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, “UFC 300 would be tight but there’s nobody to fight,” hinting that he’s looking to return to Dana White’s promotion at the event which is scheduled for April 2024.

Diaz’s last fight in the UFC came against Tony Ferguson where he won stunningly. After that, he departed from the circuit and went for his boxing debut against influencer Jake Paul. This didn’t end well as Paul dominated Diaz and handed him a humiliating loss.

Now that Diaz is thinking about his UFC return, his old mates are ready to welcome him. One of those is former Interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier who called him out for a five-round fight via X.

Frequently Answered Questions:

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Stockton’s MMA star Nate Diaz:

Is Nate Diaz lightweight or welterweight?:

Nate Diaz has fought both as a lightweight and welterweight. He started his career in the lightweight division in 2004 and stayed in the 155lbs weight class till 2010. Between 2010 and 2011, Nate Diaz fought in the welterweight division but then returned to lightweight. In 2016, he went back to the welterweight class.

What rank is Nate Diaz in Welterweight?:

At the time of his last UFC fight against Tony Ferguson, Nate Diaz was ranked 16th in the welterweight division. The Stockton-based fighter has a record of 21-13. He primarily fought in the lightweight division where he made his debut after winning The Ultimate Fighter 5 and then moved to the welterweight class.

Did Nate Diaz ever win a belt?:

Nate Diaz has never won a championship in the UFC. However, he has consistently been a contender for the lightweight and welterweight belts. The closest he came to winning a title belt in the UFC was against Benson Henderson in 2012. Unfortunately, he lost the lightweight title bout via unanimous decision.

Who is better Nate Diaz or Nick Diaz?:

Nate and Nick Diaz are brothers with Nick being a year and four months older than Nate. Comparing the stats and records of the Diaz brothers, Nick has more victories and more knockouts than Nate and also has fewer defeats in the octagon. This makes Nick Diaz slightly better than Nate Diaz.