Nate Diaz, Michael Johnson to Clash at UFC on FOX, December 19

Nate Diaz responds to “BMF” title criticism from Leon Edwards

Nate Diaz is not holding back as per usual. 

After Jorge Masvidal decided to rematch Diaz for the “BMF” title, Edwards indicated Masvidal is dodging him. The history between Masvidal and Edwards started when Edwards interrupted  Masvidal’s post-fight interview back in London in 2019.

Instead of settling the feud, Masvidal is running one back after earning a third-round TKO against Diaz at UFC 244 in November 2019. In typical fashion, Diaz voiced his opinion on Edwards’ comments. He opted to target current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov as well.

“You got [expletive] up in the back for acting like you were tight. This fight (expletive) is the same everywhere, in or out of the cage,” Diaz said on Twitter. “Don’t get punked ever. That goes for Kabob also, you guys are in last place now lol.”

Edwards criticized the rematch when talking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto on Monday, Sept. 7.

“Stop being a [expletive] and [expletive] let’s fight, right? You say you’re street Jesus and you’re [the] BMF, let’s prove the case,” Edwards said. “You can’t go out there and fight a guy you just [expletive] battered for three round and then do it again and say you’re the BMF. That’s not how it works, stop being a [expletive and step up.”

During the post-fight new conference following Dana White’s Contender Series 31 on Tuesday, Sept. 1, White said the promotion is targeting the rematch for December or January. Diaz is yet to compete since losing to Masvidal less than a year ago. 

Masvidal is fresh off a title defeat, losing via unanimous decision to current champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 on July 11. It snapped a three-fight win streak for “Gamebred,” who beat Darren Till, Ben Askren and Diaz. 

It’s been over a year since Edwards last stepped into the octagon. He is currently riding an eight-fight win streak. 

The 29-year-old most recently defeated former champion Rafael dos Anjos by unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 4 in July 2019. Edwards continues to wait in the wings to resume his journey to a title fight.

author avatar
Connor Northrup
Connor Northrup once covered municipal meetings and promised himself never again. He is now combining his passion for Mixed Martial Arts and reporting all into one.