UFC legend BJ Penn posts a video of Nate Diaz from The Ultimate Fighter season 5
Nate Diaz has established himself as one of the biggest superstars in the game today. But the Stockton slugger came from humble beginnings. From starting to train because he knew the gym would provide hot meals after sessions to travelling in private jets for fights, Diaz has come a long way. His journey in the UFC began with an appearance on the Ultimate Fighter season 5. Diaz was not too keen on joining the show initially but was pushed by his elder brother Nick and head coach Cesar Gracie to pursue the route.
Diaz was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 5, which exclusively featured lightweights. He wanted to be on BJ Penn’s team but ended up fighting on Jens Pulver’s team. In the preliminary round, Diaz defeated Rob Emerson by submission; in the quarterfinals, he defeated fellow Team Pulver teammate Corey Hill via triangle choke submission in the first round.
He moved on to the semifinals, where he defeated Team Penn member Gray Maynard by submission, advancing to the finals, in which he faced teammate Manvel Gamburyan. Diaz won by submission after Gamburyan was forced to tap out in the second round due to the dislocation of his right shoulder as the result of attempting a takedown. With the victory, Diaz won The Ultimate Fighter 5 and earned a UFC contract.
Watch: A young 17-year-old Nate Diaz competing in bare knuckle MMA
Nate Diaz and Khamzat Chimaev will lock horns in the main event if UFC 279. The internet has been running amok since the announcement. While fans are praising the bravado, and courage of Nate Diaz to face a young, hungry lion, others are worried that the Stockton slugger might not stand a chance against the undefeated Chechen. This will be the last fight of Nate Diaz’s UFC contract, and a potential move to boxing seems like an inevitable outcome.
Nate Diaz is a veteran in the sport of MMA. Winner of the Ultimate Fighter season 5, Diaz has began training at the age of 11 with his older brother Nick Diaz. A third degree black belt in jiu-jitsu, Diaz has fought the biggest names in the sport of MMA.
Before making his pro-debut, Diaz competed in a bare knuckle MMA fight against Robert Limon on July 20th, 2002, at the age of 17. The video shows a young Diaz fighting a bigger opponent, and using his grappling to defeat him.
The video begins with Diaz and Limon exchanging blows with each other trying to close distance. Diaz shoots for a takedown and Limon wraps his head around for a guillotine choke. He ends up on his back trying to choke the Stockton native while Diaz tries to defend himself. He eventually gets out of the squeeze, and transitions into an armbar attempt. The fight ends with a seventeen year old Diaz walking away with the victory.
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