Islam Makhachev and Nate Diaz got into a physical altercation at the UFC 311 press conference last month. Given the history between both the teams, things got heated immediately and they started throwing bottles at each other. However, it was all very surprising for the lightweight champion, who was confused by Diaz’s change in attitude.
Islam Makhachev recently spoke with UFC legend Demetrious Johnson about his upcoming fight and recent clash with Nate Diaz’s team. He claimed the UFC legend acts differently when cameras are present, showing a contrasting demeanor compared to private interactions. The champ shared details of a past meeting with Diaz, offering insights into the Stockton native’s behavior and personality.
You know what’s interesting, maybe five, six months ago, I meet Diaz in the elevator in the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. He goes to me and says, ‘Respect, respect, respect.’ But what changed now? A lot of cameras come and always people change.
Islam Makhachev via Demetrious Johnson’s YouTube channel
The pound-for-pound king revealed Nate Diaz mistook a teammate for Khabib Nurmagomedov and responded by flipping him off. This misunderstanding escalated into a heated altercation, eventually involving the security team to defuse the situation. However, this story is quite different from UFC fighter Brandon Royval’s version, who was with Diaz during the altercation.
😳Islam Makhachev said that he met Nate Diaz in elevator after their water bottle incident:
“Maybe 5-6 months ago I meet Diaz in an elevator… he say ‘respect, respect’.”
🎥 @MightyMouse ▫️ pic.twitter.com/eVahGAXnkZ
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 7, 2025
During the incident, Nurmagomedov wasn’t there but he will be there at UFC 311 to support Islam Makhachev. The lightweight champion is expected to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan in a much-anticipated bout. Makhachev also revealed that he doesn’t have any issue with Diaz, but the bad blood is still palpable.
Nate Diaz questions Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Hall of Fame credentials
Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s rivalry began in 2015 at a WSOF event, where their entourages clashed in a brawl. Diaz often criticized the Dagestani’s fighting style as ‘boring,’ while the ‘Eagle’ dismissed Diaz’s skillset and inconsistent performances in the octagon.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC Hall of Famer didn’t impress Nate Diaz (via X)The rivalry highlights their contrasting personalities: Diaz’s brash, trash-talking demeanor versus Nurmagomedov’s stoic, disciplined approach to fighting. As a professional fighter, Nurmagomedov does have more accolades including the UFC Hall of Fame identification. However, Diaz doesn’t seem to agree with this recognition.
Khabib is little f***** bit** too. Khabib just went, was like, who he beat for the title? He got Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. They both been finished off over and over, the same way he beat them. He ain’t no good. You were a scared fighter, scared of fighting the whole time and now you’re in the Hall of Fame or something.
Nate Diaz via MMA Fighting Interview
Both legends of the sport have now retired from UFC and Nurmagomedov has shifted all his focus towards coaching. The Stockton native, on the other hand, has transitioned to boxing and has participated in a few high-profile bouts. Looking at Diaz’s history of altercations, it won’t be surprising to see him go head-to-head against Team Khabib again in the future.
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