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By Brett Okamoto, ESPN staff writer
It took nearly five years, but Nate Diaz finally got his revenge against Jorge Masvidal in a professional boxing ring on Saturday.
Diaz defeated Masvidal by majority decision in a 10-round bout in the main event of the pay-per-view event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Two of the three judges who scored the hard-fought bout had Diaz winning 98-92 and 97-93, while the third judge scored it a draw at 95-95.
The win was Diaz's revenge for a third-round knockout loss to Masvidal when they faced off in UFC's first-ever BMF title bout in November 2019. Masvidal won because doctors determined Diaz couldn't continue due to cuts, a decision Diaz disagreed with. After Saturday's win, Diaz called for a two-fight rematch against Jake Paul, who beat him in a boxing match last year, and UFC champion Leon Edwards.
“I'm going to beat the hell out of Jake Paul and I'm willing to fight the highest ranked boxer I can find,” Diaz said. “My main goal is to be the best boxer in the world, so I want to come back and win the UFC title.” [UFC welterweight champion] Leon Edwards, Jake Paul, and whoever else, you're dead.”
The 39-year-old Masvidal, who retired from mixed martial arts in April but has already hinted at a possible return, was unable to agree with the scorecards and requested a third fight with Diaz.
“I thought I won,” Masvidal said. “I thought I landed a stronger shot. I can do it again. It's one-win and one-loss. I'll get another chance.”
Diaz's performance was classic. He out-volumeed Masvidal in their 175-pound bout. Masvidal seemed to land the bigger punches, but Diaz's notorious chin held up well and his speed was a weapon for Diaz throughout the bout. At times, Diaz would laugh and turn his back on Masvidal, and the two continued trading punches until the bell rang to end the bout.
The event aired on DAZN and was co-promoted by Diaz's Real Fight and Masvidal's Gamebred Boxing, and featured some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts, including former UFC champion Anthony Pettis, who lost to Diaz's longtime teammate Chris Avila.
