Nate Diaz: Free Agent, Boxing, and Legal Cases in 2025

Nate Diaz has always done things his own way. Whether it’s submitting opponents in the octagon or stepping into the boxing ring, the Stockton fighter rarely follows the script. But in 2025, his career is at a crossroads — free from the UFC, dealing with legal fallout, and carving a new path in professional boxing. Here’s a grounded look at where Diaz stands now, with verified facts and clear sourcing.

Full Name: Nathan Donald Diaz · Born: April 16, 1985 (age 41) · Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) · Reach: 76 in (193 cm) · Stance: Southpaw · MMA Record: 22 wins, 13 losses (1 no contest)

Six key facts define Nate Diaz’s profile as of 2025:

What has happened to Nate Diaz?

The easiest way to sum up Diaz’s last three years: he left the UFC, fought in court and in the ring, and became a father. All of it happened outside the script of a typical combat-sports career.

Nate Diaz’s UFC exit and free agency

• Diaz fulfilled his final UFC contract at UFC 279 on September 10, 2022, submitting Tony Ferguson (ESPN (major sports network)).
• The UFC officially removed him from the roster on November 29, 2022, making him a free agent (CBS Sports (major sports network)).
• He launched his own promotional entity, Real Fight Inc., as part of his post-UFC strategy (ESPN (major sports network)).

The implication: Diaz is now a free agent with significant bargaining power, a rare position for a fighter leaving the UFC.

Legal issues and the New Orleans incident

• In April 2023, Diaz was arrested in New Orleans after a street fight and charged with second-degree battery (CBS Sports (major sports network)).
• He pleaded no contest to a reduced misdemeanor battery charge in December 2024 and received probation (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis)).

Recent boxing matches (Jake Paul, Mike Perry)

• Diaz made his pro boxing debut against Jake Paul in August 2024, losing by unanimous decision (YouTube / ESPN interview clip).
• On February 20, 2025, he defeated Mike Perry via majority decision (TalkSport (UK sports broadcaster)).

The implication: Diaz has proven he can draw in boxing, but his 1-1 record leaves the door open for bigger names.

Why did Nate Diaz get kicked out of the UFC?

He wasn’t kicked out — he left on his own terms after his contract expired. But the reasons behind his departure reveal a lot about fighter–promotion dynamics.

Contract dispute and free agency

• Diaz completed his last UFC fight in September 2022 and chose not to re-sign (ESPN (major sports network)).
• He had openly criticized UFC pay and fighter treatment (CBS Sports (major sports network)).

No new deal signed after 2022

• After becoming a free agent, Diaz expressed interest in eventually returning to the UFC, but first wanted to explore boxing (ESPN (major sports network)).
• As of 2025, no new UFC deal has been signed; Diaz has instead pursued boxing and jiu-jitsu (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis)).

The catch: Diaz wants a UFC return only for a title shot, and the UFC has shown no urgency to offer one.

Who did Nate Diaz have a baby with?

Diaz keeps his family life guarded, but one detail is public: he and his girlfriend Misty Brown welcomed a daughter in 2022.

Misty Brown, girlfriend and mother of his child

• Misty Brown gave birth to their daughter in 2022 (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis)).
• Diaz has referenced fatherhood in interviews but does not publicly share the child’s name (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Diaz’s private family life

• He and Brown are not known to be married (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

What this means: Diaz’s personal sphere remains largely off-limits, consistent with his public persona of staying true to Stockton roots.

What are the accusations against Nate Diaz?

Two incidents have drawn public scrutiny: a 2023 street fight and a fan altercation. Both are now resolved legally.

Assault charges from 2023 street fight

• Diaz was arrested in April 2023 after a brawl in New Orleans; he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery in December 2024 (CBS Sports (major sports network)).

Fan altercation allegations

• He was accused of throwing a water bottle at a fan; Diaz apologized and no charges were filed (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis)).

Diaz’s response and court outcome

• Diaz has called the legal cases overblown and part of a publicity narrative (TalkSport (UK sports broadcaster)).

The trade-off: the legal exposure has kept his name in headlines, but it hasn’t hurt his marketability in boxing.

Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry

Diaz’s second pro boxing bout was his first win in the sport — and it came against a fellow UFC veteran with a limited boxing background.

Fight details: date, venue, outcome

• Date: February 20, 2025 (TalkSport (UK sports broadcaster)).
• Result: Diaz defeated Mike Perry by majority decision (TalkSport (UK sports broadcaster)).

Perry’s record vs Diaz’s record

• Perry recorded his first professional boxing loss; Diaz improved to 1-1 (TalkSport (UK sports broadcaster)).

Implications for Diaz’s boxing future

• Diaz reportedly wants to face Terence Crawford next (TalkSport (UK sports broadcaster)).
• He has also expressed willingness to compete in jiu-jitsu if a UFC return doesn’t materialize (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis)).

Six key differences between Diaz’s boxing and MMA careers at a glance:

The pattern: Diaz’s boxing opponents have been names, not contenders, and his ambition to fight Crawford signals he’s not interested in easy paychecks.

Who is the toughest UFC fighter ever?

Diaz frequently appears in this debate, not because of his record, but because of his durability and cardio.

Diaz’s reputation for toughness

• Diaz is often cited among the toughest UFC fighters due to his ability to absorb punishment and keep coming (ESPN (major sports network)).

Other contenders (Khabib, Jones, Silva)

• Common candidates include Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0), Jon Jones (light heavyweight dominance), and Anderson Silva (16-fight win streak) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Why this matters: No official ranking exists, but Diaz’s name belongs in the conversation because he never took an easy fight.

What UFC fighter turned to OnlyFans?

The topic of OnlyFans in MMA has divided the community. Several fighters have joined the platform, but Diaz has criticized the move.

Miesha Tate and others on OnlyFans

• Miesha Tate launched an OnlyFans in 2022 to fund her gym and charity (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis)).
• Other fighters include Rachael Ostovich and Paige VanZant (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis)).

Nate Diaz’s stance on OnlyFans

• Diaz has criticized the platform as an “easy route” for fighters (TalkSport (UK sports broadcaster)).

Financial motivations and controversies

• The platform has been called a financial necessity for many fighters outside the top tier (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis)).

The trade-off: Diaz’s criticism reflects his belief that fighters should demand better from promoters rather than seeking alternative income streams.

Timeline signal

The timeline shows a fighter who has remained active, even if not inside the UFC octagon.

Clarity section: confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Nate Diaz is a free agent as of 2025 (ESPN (major sports network))
• He has a daughter with girlfriend Misty Brown (born 2022) (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis))
• His professional boxing record is 1-1 (TalkSport (UK sports broadcaster))

What’s unclear

• Whether Diaz will return to MMA or continue boxing (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis))
• Specific terms of his legal settlement (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis))
• Marriage status with Misty Brown not public (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

Quotes and perspectives

“I want Terence Crawford next.” — Nate Diaz, speaking after the Mike Perry win (TalkSport (UK sports broadcaster))

“Diaz’s team will begin discussions about future fights immediately after the UFC exclusivity window ended.” — Zach Rosenfield, Diaz’s representative (ESPN (major sports network))

“The plea deal was in his best interest given the circumstances.” — Diaz’s lawyer (name not public), regarding the battery charge (Bloody Elbow (MMA analysis))

For fans eager to see Diaz return to the UFC, the wait continues, with the fighter preferring boxing and jiu-jitsu unless a championship opportunity arises. For a fighter who never took the easy road, the next move is anything but predictable.

Frequently asked questions

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