Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal are two of the most popular figures in the MMA world. Their highly anticipated boxing is reportedly punching its way to a new date and location. This is apparently done in an attempt to dodge pay-per-view competition from the UFC 302 card.
Ariel Helwani, the top MMA journalist, reports that the MMA rivals’ cross-over boxing bout is being postponed from its original June 1st date. The new targeted date has been set as July 6th. The event’s location was also changed from Inglewood’s Forum to Honda Center in Anaheim.
The Nathan Diaz x Jorge Masvidal boxing match is moving from June 1 to July 6, per sources. It’s also being moved from Inglewood’s Forum to the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Number of reasons for the move, I’m told. A major one? Not to conflict with UFC 302, which is also scheduled for June 1. First reported by @pugboxing.
Ariel Helwani via X
The much anticipated UFC 302 pay-per-view is headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier. This holds significant value for both competitors. Also, rumors circulate about the bout as Poirier’s last fight. The co-main event is between two of the most recognized fighters in the middleweight division, Paulo Costa vs. Sean Strickland.
The Nathan Diaz x Jorge Masvidal boxing match is moving from June 1 to July 6, per sources.
It’s also being moved from Inglewood’s Forum to the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Number of reasons for the move, I’m told. A major one? Not to conflict with UFC 302, which is also…
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 8, 2024
Of course, Diaz and Jorge Masvidal certainly have drawing power of their own. Considering the event’s business perspective, organizers likely deemed it too risky to schedule it on the same date as a major UFC card. The new July 6th date allows their 10-round boxing match to stand alone atop that weekend’s marquee. This ensures that there is no fear of overshadowing each other or cannibalizing our buy rates.
A look back into the original fight for the BMF title between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal
Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal have tested each other before. This came in the form of the original BMF championship in the UFC. In a fight fit for the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, Jorge Masvidal emerged victorious over Nate Diaz. But this was not without some serious controversy.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz (via Sports Illustrated)The two welterweight stars battled it out at UFC 244 for the coveted ‘BMF’ title belt. With celebs like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson watching cageside, the hype was intense. Masvidal largely controlled the first two rounds against his rival, Diaz. A nasty cut over Diaz’s right eye stole the show’s spotlight. After the third round, the doctor took one look at the gash and waved off the fight.
While disappointed, Nate Diaz kept his trademark wit about him. For his part, Masvidal celebrated the doctor’s stoppage while also curiously calling for an immediate rematch. In the end, ‘The Rock’ awarded Masvidal the one-off ‘BMF’ belt to the raucous cheers of the NYC crowd. The duo will now fight again in a 10-round boxing match against each other on June 6.
