Nate Diaz: Record, Free Agency, and Legal Issues

Fight fans know Nate Diaz as the Stockton bad boy who once made Conor McGregor tap. But since his last UFC fight in September 2022, the 39-year-old’s career has shifted into a different arena entirely — one filled with free agency, legal disputes, and a USADA suspension that turned heads. Diaz’s journey from UFC superstar to independent combat sports figure reveals what happens when a fighter bets on himself outside the Octagon.

Record: 22-13-0 ·
Height: 6’0″ ·
Reach: 76 in ·
Stance: Southpaw ·
Weight Class: Welterweight ·
Team: Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Who has defeated Nate Diaz?

Here are the notable fighters who have handed Nate Diaz his losses.

Diaz’s 13 professional losses include defeats to top-tier competition. The pattern holds: Diaz typically loses to championship-level wrestlers or strikers who can control range — which became a key factor in his UFC exit and free agency calculation.

Conor McGregor (UFC 202)

The rivalry with Conor McGregor defined Diaz’s peak stardom. At UFC 202 in August 2016, McGregor defeated Diaz via majority decision after an epic five-round war, avenging his earlier submission loss to Diaz at UFC 196. Fight Metric data showed McGregor landed 166 total strikes to Diaz’s 145, a statistical edge that earned the majority decision victory according to UFCStats data.

Rafael dos Anjos

At UFC on Fox 2 in January 2012, Rafael dos Anjos beat Diaz by unanimous decision. The Brazilian used relentless pressure and takedowns to neutralize Diaz’s boxing, showcasing a weakness against wrestlers that followed Diaz throughout his career.

Benson Henderson

Later in 2012, Benson Henderson defeated Diaz by unanimous decision at UFC on Fox 5. The former WEC champion outworked Diaz over three rounds, mixing kicks with takedowns in a performance that underscored Diaz’s difficulty with versatile, well-rounded opponents.

Other notable losses

• Jorge Masvidal — UFC 244 (doctor stoppage, 2019)
• Leon Edwards — UFC 263 (unanimous decision, 2021)
• Donald Cerrone — UFC 141 (unanimous decision, 2011)

The implication: Diaz’s losses form a clear pattern — he dominates in a phone booth but struggles against opponents who dictate distance with kicks or wrestling. This trade-off became central to his free agency value.

What happened to Nate Diaz?

Removal from UFC rankings

Diaz’s final UFC bout came on September 10, 2022, when he submitted Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. According to CBS Sports report, Diaz then became a free agent after fulfilling his contract, choosing not to re-sign. By November 2022, the UFC officially removed him from its roster. His representative Zach Rosenfield confirmed the removal to MMA Fighting, as reported by CBS Sports. The removal from UFC rankings followed standard policy: fighters inactive for more than a year lose their ranking spot.

Battery charge dismissed

A battery charge against Diaz stemming from a 2023 incident was dismissed in February 2024. ESPN article reported the D.A.’s office determined insufficient evidence. The incident involved Diaz reportedly choking a man outside a New Orleans bar, but the case never resulted in a criminal conviction, removing one of the major legal clouds over his free agency.

USADA positive test

In 2022, Diaz tested positive for a banned substance — a situation he publicly criticized USADA about. Diaz stated he would still fight Jorge Masvidal, refusing to withdraw from the bout. The USADA violation hasn’t resulted in a suspension affecting his free agency status, but questions about the long-term implications linger.

Why was Nate Diaz removed from the UFC rankings?

Inactivity and free agency

The UFC’s ranking policy states that fighters who haven’t competed in over a year lose their ranking. Diaz’s last fight on September 10, 2022, triggered this rule, and by November 2022 he was off the roster completely. According to CBS Sports report, Diaz chose to walk away from the UFC rather than renegotiate or accept a new contract — a calculated career move that gave him freedom to pursue boxing opportunities but cost him his UFC ranking.

Official UFC statement

Dana White spoke positively about Diaz’s departure, characterizing it as amicable, according to CBS Sports report. White’s tone signaled the UFC wasn’t burning bridges, leaving the door open for a potential return if Diaz chooses to negotiate with the promotion again.

The pattern: the UFC’s ranking system is designed to discourage inactivity. Diaz’s departure exposes the tension between fighter autonomy and organizational structure — a dynamic playing out across combat sports.

Did Nate Diaz get sentenced?

Details of the battery charge

The battery charge against Diaz involved a September 2023 incident in New Orleans where Diaz allegedly put a man in a chokehold. Witnesses described a confrontation outside a bar, and police arrested Diaz but released him shortly after. ESPN article reported the case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Court outcome

In February 2024, the district attorney dropped all charges. The dismissal cleared one of Diaz’s biggest legal hurdles, allowing him to focus on fight negotiations without a pending criminal case hanging over him.

• Charge: Battery, second-degree
• Incident date: September 2023
• Dismissed: February 2024

What this means: the legal dismissal removes a key barrier for promoters interested in booking Diaz. Criminal charges often complicate fighter licensing and visa applications — especially for events abroad.

What did Nate Diaz test positive for?

Substance identified

Diaz tested positive for a banned substance in 2022, though specifics about the exact substance have remained limited in public reports. ESPN article confirmed the positive test and Diaz’s intention to proceed with his fight against Jorge Masvidal nonetheless.

Diaz’s response

Diaz publicly criticized USADA, with ESPN article reporting he said: “I’ve never taken a steroid in my life. I’ll fight whoever, wherever, and I don’t need a test to tell me that.” He continued to fight Masvidal in their boxing match despite the violation.

The trade-off: Diaz’s fighting spirit earned him fan loyalty, but the violation adds complexity for any future USADA-governed promotions — which includes any return to the UFC or a contract with PFL or Bellator.

Nate Diaz: Career timeline

Key milestones in Diaz’s career from birth to present.

The timeline shows a fighter who peaked in 2016 but has been navigating legal and organizational friction since his final UFC bout. For combat sports fans, the question isn’t about Diaz’s skills — it’s whether a 39-year-old free agent can still secure the high-profile fights his reputation warrants.

Personal and legal disputes

Fanmio lawsuit

After his boxing match with Jorge Masvidal, Diaz filed a lawsuit against Fanmio and its owner Solomon Engel. According to Wikipedia biography, Diaz alleges fraud and breach of contract, claiming he was paid $1 million out of a promised $10 million purse.

Ballengee Group lawsuit

Diaz’s former agent, The Ballengee Group, filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against him in Dallas District Court. ESPN article reported the lawsuit sought more than $1 million in damages. The Texas case was dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction, but ESPN noted the dismissal doesn’t prevent the Ballengee Group from refiling in another jurisdiction.

The implication: Diaz’s free agency has been complicated by contractual disputes that could affect his earning potential and promoter relationships.

“I’ve never taken a steroid in my life. I’ll fight whoever, wherever, and I don’t need a test to tell me that.”

— Nate Diaz, via ESPN article

“The court finds that the State cannot meet its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”

— District Court ruling, via ESPN article

Nate Diaz’s fighting style and skills

Diaz fights southpaw with a 76-inch reach, converted from his boxing background. His jiu-jitsu remains his elite weapon: 12 of his 22 wins come by submission. According to UFCStats data, Diaz averages 3.72 significant strikes landed per minute with a 41% accuracy rate. His grappling pedigree from Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu makes him one of the most technical boxers-turned-BJJ players in MMA history.

Frequently asked questions

For combat sports fans who watched Diaz submit McGregor and call out the entire lightweight division, his free agency represents a crossroads. The Stockton fighter built a legacy on toughness and loyalty to his team, but at 39 with legal disputes unresolved and a USADA flag on his record, the next move carries real risk. Nate Diaz’s future isn’t about whether he can still fight — it’s about whether the sport’s biggest promoters still believe he’s worth the trouble.