Nate Diaz was holding a water bottle that, at one moment, seemed as though it could be hurled towards a Jake Paul supporter who was keen on celebrating his imminent knockout defeat.
Diaz managed to control his anger, although only momentarily, much to the amusement of Paul. Diaz, being a co-promoter of the upcoming boxing match with Paul on Saturday, chose not to exacerbate the situation.
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Footage: Bitter fight breaks out between Jake Paul, Nate Diaz crews following tense press conference
Paul, an influencer who transitioned into boxing, aimed to provoke Diaz. After around thirty minutes of continuous taunting, Diaz finally responded.
It was, however, not Diaz and Paul who scuffled during the press conference face-off, but their respective security teams. The skirmish was quickly dissolved and Diaz addressed the situation during the DAZN press conference broadcast.
Insiders close to Diaz told Damon Martin from MMA Hook (anonymously post-conference) that a member of Paul’s security team, who had previous run-ins with the ex-UFC fighter, initiated the altercation. This individual started pushing and shoving immediately after the face-off, resulting in punches thrown before peace was restored.
Diaz seemed unperturbed by the incident, saying on DAZN, “No big deal. Whatever transpires will transpire, it can always be better or worse, so all is well.”
Given Diaz’s history of confrontations outside the ring, his attitude was appropriate. No one was severely injured, there was no need for police intervention or arrests. However, Diaz noted that it was Paul who was attempting to incite a fight through his verbal attacks.
“He constantly labels me as the villain and the bully,” Diaz commented. “He’s the real bully here. He proudly claims the term ‘influencer’, right?”
Paul has leveraged Diaz’s history of fights outside the ring — including a recent altercation in New Orleans that left a Logan Paul doppelgänger bloodied and unconscious — to hype their match.
Yet, from Diaz’s perspective, Paul is just as culpable as the person he accuses of being a bully. His prime example is a staff member from Betr, an online sports betting site where Paul is an investor, who posed as a reporter and provoked Diaz’s older brother, Nick Diaz, at a press conference.
This employee showed up again on Thursday, apologizing for his previous challenge and urging Diaz’s team not to assault him. When Diaz didn’t respond, he said, “I’m eager to see Jake knock you out cold.”
“You’re encouraging individuals to do whatever it takes for fame, just like that,” Diaz retorted. “You’re behaving recklessly. When I met him privately, he was calm. Yet he feels the need to put on a show here. Such a negative role model.”
“It’s bizarre when he blabbers non-stop. We’re merely participating in a boxing match, a regulated form of combat. There’s no need to get disrespectful and talk trash. I’m a competitor. [Paul is] a coward, and that’s what I’m dealing with, but I’m prepared for whatever comes my way.”
For Paul, the mission was a success. He was finally able to get a reaction out of Diaz, who had been ignoring most of his taunts.
“I’ve gotten under his skin,” he claimed during the DAZN weigh-in show following Diaz’s segment. “I’m in his mind, and man, I’ve offended him. He got extremely irritated. The security teams clashed. His guard threw the first punch, my guard retaliated with a check hook, and that was the end of it. … I relish the opportunity to get in people’s heads and stir them up.”
This report contains contributions from MMA Hook’s Damon Martin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nate Diaz and Jake Paul altercation
Who are the main figures in the text?
The main figures in the text are Nate Diaz, an ex-UFC fighter and co-promoter of the mentioned boxing match, and Jake Paul, an influencer turned professional boxer.
What was the cause of the altercation at the press conference?
The altercation at the press conference began due to a member of Jake Paul’s security team who had a previous run-in with Nate Diaz. After the initial face-off, this individual started pushing and shoving, leading to a brief brawl between the two security teams.
How did Nate Diaz react to the incident?
Nate Diaz seemed unperturbed by the incident. He addressed it during the DAZN press conference broadcast and later stated that whatever happens, happens, and it could always be better or worse.
What has Jake Paul been using to promote their fight?
Jake Paul has been using Nate Diaz’s history of out-of-cage fights, including a recent brawl in New Orleans that left a Logan Paul lookalike bloodied and unconscious, to promote their boxing match.
Who does Nate Diaz accuse of being a bully?
Nate Diaz accuses Jake Paul of being a bully, pointing out that Paul has been the one trying to provoke a fight verbally and labels Diaz as the villain and bully.
What is the complaint against a staff member from Betr?
A staff member from Betr, an online sports betting site where Paul is an investor, posed as a reporter and provoked Diaz’s older brother, Nick Diaz, at a press conference. This behavior was called out by Nate Diaz as a negative influence.
More about Nate Diaz and Jake Paul altercation
- Nate Diaz’s history of out-of-cage fights
- Jake Paul, the influencer turned boxer
- Previous altercation between Nate Diaz and Jake Paul’s security team
- Paul’s investment in Betr, the online sportsbook
