The highly anticipated return of Nate Diaz to the Octagon after three long years ended with him beating Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision. The three judges scored the fight 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.
This was his first win in over three years. His last victory was against Conor McGregor at UFC 196 in 2016 where Diaz caused a huge upset by submitting the Irishmen in the second third.
Pettis started the fight strong and kept attacking Diaz from the outside. Diaz had a hard time matching Pettis’ tempo, but as gradually the rounds went by Diaz applied pressure that had Pettis completely on backfoot. Diaz then scored a successful takedown and went for the rear-naked choke but Pettis narrowly survived it.
In the third round, Diaz went all in and continued his onslaught. Diaz then landed a huge knee which dropped Pettis and then the Stockton native unleashed his onslaught and hammered Pettis with hard shots. However, Pettis was tough and showed heart which helped him survive the full three-rounds.
After the fight he called out Jorge Masvidal:
“Jorge Masvidal had a good last fight, all respect to the man, there ain’t no gangsters in this game but me and him. I know my man’s a gangster but he ain’t no West Coast gangster, you know what I’m saying?”
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Nate Diaz watching highlights of himself is awesome pic.twitter.com/DPH3CerPKV
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 18, 2019
me: I'd like to enlist in the nick diaz army or some shit
recruitment officer: there's no such thing and you can't smoke that in here
me: #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/qsV57J6X8U
— Justin Golightly (@justin_golight) August 18, 2019
Nate Diaz on Jorge Masvidal:
“I know he’s a gangster, but he’s no west coast gangster.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 18, 2019
Amazing performance, Nate Diaz. Can't wait to see you back in the cage again in 2023.
— Dann Stupp (@DannStupp) August 18, 2019
First fight in three years?
Dominant victory for Nate Diaz#UFC241 pic.twitter.com/JEzZtfAaJ1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 18, 2019
Nate Diaz is back! After a 3 year hiatus, the longest of his career, he returns and defeats Anthony Pettis by UD. Please for the love of God give me that Conor McGregor trilogy. It's time. This rivalry, this saga, it needs an ending. It needs closure. That's the fight. #UFC241
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) August 18, 2019
Diaz: it’s Nick Diaz army, motherf*ckers.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 18, 2019
Nathan Diaz calls out Street Jesus Jorge Masvidal and the world rejoices
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 18, 2019
Nate Diaz says he’s interested in fighting Jorge Masvidal next. He said there are no gangsters in MMA anymore, but Masvidal is — “but he’s no West Coast gangster.” #UFC241
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) August 18, 2019
Nate Diaz saying he took 3 years off because everyone else fucking sucked is GOAT shit
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) August 18, 2019
Paulo Costa: First and foremost, this fight is for God.
*next fight*
Nate Diaz: This is Diaz army motherfuckers. Fuck what y’all talking bout. Everyone sucks. #UFC241
— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) August 18, 2019
Nate Diaz calls out Jorge Masvidal! BOOK THAT SHIT RIGHT NOW. #UFC241
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) August 18, 2019
Nate Diaz is back and he wants Jorge Masvidal next. #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/6vyLoyFsp3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 18, 2019
Joe Rogan – “Why did you take three years off?”
Nate Diaz – “The reason I've been off is because everybody sucks…" 😂 pic.twitter.com/IrYAFWGh43
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) August 18, 2019
Nate Diaz aftermath party #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/XogRZ5rFeG
— Bilal Raja (@boxofficecutie) August 18, 2019
Diaz calling out Masvidal #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/tygxrJb99d
— The Combat Hub (@combathubreal) August 18, 2019
Diaz looked really good, especially considering the layoff. He admitted to getting tired but otherwise never seemed in big trouble.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 18, 2019
Masvidal's reaction to being called out by Diaz pic.twitter.com/7RYOoW5ke9
— ZombieProphet (@GIFsZP) August 18, 2019
I’m for that fight 100 percent. Masvidal vs Diaz 🙏🏽 #UFC241
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) August 18, 2019
“This is Nick Diaz army motherfuckers”
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 18, 2019
Dana White thinking about McGregor Diaz 3 right now. #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/kIMurG5NVu
— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) August 18, 2019
GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE DIAZ VS MASVIDAL SET IT UP RIGHT FUCKING NOW #UFC241
— Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) August 18, 2019
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