Nate Diaz sued by Rodney Petersen over 2023 New Orleans street fight
A civil lawsuit has been filed against former UFC star Nate Diaz stemming from a 2023 street fight in New Orleans.
The man who filed the suit is YouTuber, 0-6 amateur MMA fighter and influencer boxer Rodney Petersen, also known as “Not Logan Paul,” according to a court document acquired Friday by MMA Junkie. His wife, Bobbie Petersen, is also listed as a co-petitioner.
Petersen claims Diaz instigated the melee while he attempted to serve as peacemaker. News of the lawsuit was first reported by New Orleans TV station Fox 8.
In response to the civil suit filing, Diaz representative Zach Rosenfield issued a simple, one-word statement to MMA Junkie.
“Lol,” Rosenfield wrote.
The altercation between Diaz and Petersen took place in the early hours of April 22 on Bourbon Street following a Misfits Boxing event as a larger melee that involved influencer Chase Demoor transpired simultaneously. Diaz and Demoor were separated at the boxing event hours earlier after the two exchanged words, and Diaz threw a water bottle.
Videos of the street fights went viral in the hours afterward. One video showed Diaz and Petersen engage. Diaz then choked Petersen unconscious. While Diaz was arrested days after the altercation, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office eventually declined to pursue a second-degree battery charge against him.
The lawsuit states Rodney Petersen seeks damages for mental, physical, and emotional trauma, as well as medical expenses and loss of income. Bobbie Petersen seeks damages for loss of consortium, services, affection, and care.
Since the incident, Petersen has competed twice in influencer boxing matches. In January, he was knocked out in 99 seconds by Tristan Hamm under the Misfits Boxing banner. Less than two months later, he defeated Cake Paul by unanimous decision for Hype Boxing. Both boxing matches were exhibitions.
Diaz is scheduled to face former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal in a pay-per-view boxing match June 1. The two combat sports veterans fought in November 2019 for the inaugural “BMF” title. Masvidal defeated Diaz when the bout was stopped due to a laceration.