Nate Diaz announces Jorge Masvidal rematch in different arena as excited UFC fans claim they ‘can’t wait’ for showdown
NATE DIAZ is set to reignite his feud with Jorge Masvidal in a completely different arena.
Both men graced the UFC for several years but are no longer a part of the organisation.
And that’s seen them swap the cage for a boxing ring in their upcoming rematch.
The two titans of UFC have agreed to fight at light-heavyweight in ten-round boxing bout on Saturday June 1.
Diaz and Masvidal battled in the UFC back in 2019, with Masvidal winning via a doctor’s stoppage.
Fight fans have craved seeing the two trade blows again and it is a bit of a surprise to see they will be doing it in a different sport – albeit still a combat one.
The fight is set to be streamed via pay-per-view on FanMio, with early prices seeing viewers charged $49.99 to stream the bout.
Starting on April 12, that price will jump up to a eye-watering $79.99 to see the former rivals do battle again.
The fight will take place in the Kia Forum, California.
Both men are no longer part of the UFC, with Masvidal, 39, retiring from MMA after losing to Gilbert Burns in April 2023.
Diaz, 38, stepped away from the UFC on a high, beating Tony Ferguson by submission in September 2022.
He has fared less well in the realm of professional boxing so far though, losing to YouTube star Jake Paul on his professional debut in boxing last August.
Many questioned his preparation for the fight at the time, and he was even knocked down by Paul in round five.
That might be different this time around, with Masvidal coming out to put the pressure on early.
Masvidal said: “Nate’s a dead man walking. I can’t wait to prove that last time was no fluke. He got saved by the referee.
“Now we are boxing, which he says is his forte, but he’s got no shot at beating me. I’m not going to give him an inch in that ring to even breathe.
“If he thought our MMA match was bad, this is going to be much worse. I’m going to drown him.
“I want to put away any talk that him and I are the same, or that the referee saved the day. All of that talk ends June 1.
“Violence and throwing hands are in both of our bloods but as I proved before, I’m a far superior athlete and I’m a meaner fighter.
“When June 1 comes I’ll put all unanswered questions to rest, live for the world to see.”
Fans are excited to see the two do battle again, despite it coming in a different arena.
One said on X: “Hell yeah I been waiting for this rematch!”
Another wrote: “Can’t wait for this!”
Another said: “This boxing rematch is going to be crazy let’s go Nate!”