Nate Diaz releases first statement since loss at MVP 'Rousey vs. Carano'

Nate Diaz returned to mixed martial arts after nearly four years, facing Mike Perry in the Most Valuable Promotions co-headliner at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on May 16. Diaz lost by corner stoppage after two rounds and was heavily damaged throughout the fight. The bout marked his first MMA appearance since a fourth-round submission win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 on Sept. 10, 2022. After the fight, Diaz rejected retirement talk and expressed renewed enthusiasm for a rematch with Perry. He said inactivity had been driven by a lack of opponents and suggested it would be easier to fight Perry again. The timing of the next MVP event remains unclear, though a Diaz-Perry rematch could be considered if another show is scheduled.

"“I didn't like my lack of activity because of lack of opponents,” Diaz wrote on Instagram. “I know it was easier to get up to fight me for this fight but now I believe it will be easier to fight him. But all good shoutout to Mike on the win and getting me off my ass. Time to kill now. I got something to do. Now I've got a target. Hunting season. Take that motherf--er out.”"

"Diaz shut down retirement talk at the event's post-fight press conference, and the popular veteran maintained that sentiment while expressing renewed enthusiasm for a Perry rematch in a recent statement released via social media."

"Nate Diaz is feeling motivated on the heels of his first mixed martial arts appearance in nearly four years. The Stockton, California, native squared off against Mike Perry in the Most Valuable Promotions “Rousey vs. Carano” co-headliner, losing via corner stoppage after two rounds on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles."

"It's unclear when MVP might hold its next MMA event. The promotion's debut on Netflix was a success in terms of ratings, both in the United States and globally. A release from the company following the event expressed optimism about the future of MVP MMA going forward. If there is another event, a Diaz-Perry rematch could be one of the possible bookings."

Read at Sherdog