Scott Coker’s new Ki MMA promotion had its big launch event on Monday evening, and a number of legendary fighters turned up to support their old promotional partner in his new endeavor. Fedor Emelianenko was there, as well as Cris Cyborg, and Randy Couture.
While Nate Diaz never competed for Coker, he also turned up at the event, leading some to speculate the younger Diaz brother could compete under the Ki MMA banner.
“100%, especially if there’s a ring involved,” Nate said when asked if he’d fight
for Ki MMA (video via MMA Fighting). “I just think it’s different and I like it, you know? I like to have the option to fight in a ring or a cage. The ring’s different.”
“People don’t even know you can cut people off in the corners of the ring, which you can’t do in [the cage]. They run in circles from you. And there’s ways to use the ring to your advantage and as disadvantages, all that. Like, I’ll take down a fucking D-1 f–kin’ top of the line wrestler in this b–ch, easy.”
While Diaz clearly liked the idea of fighting in a ring, he didn’t have any names he’d like to fight. He wrote off Dillon Danis as someone worth punching in the bathroom, not as a legitimate opponent. When asked about a rematch with Mike Perry (whom Diaz lost to at MVP MMA 1 back in March), Diaz shrugged.
“Well, our times are just on different paths right now and different s–t might happen,” Diaz said. “And I’m open ears to see what people got off from what’s popping right now, because I was anxious to get right back in and whoop his ass real quick. But yeah, I think things changed a little bit, but we’ll see what happen with time. I’m gonna beat his ass at some point.”
Diaz has fought just three times since leaving the UFC in 2022: the MMA loss to Mike Perry, a boxing loss to Jake Paul, and a boxing win over Jorge Masvidal where the promoter didn’t pay Diaz millions in promised purse money. Nate has talked about a return to UFC and about staying out of the org as a freelance assassin. There were only a few specifics during his informal Ki MMA press scrum.
“Yeah, I’m just trying to come up,” he said. “See, no one’s that impressive right now. There’s impressive people out there for sure, but none that impressive at the moment. But, I’m be at it, I’m gonna say January minimum. Before halfway through [next] year, I would like to fight. Next year.”
“I’m trying to get active, like, at least three fights next year. At least two fights next year. But I’m trying to get some s–t done. Trying to whip some motherf–king ass.”
Diaz touched on Conor McGregor’s knee injury, saying “I feel bad for him. I hope he does good and, positive vibes for the comeback.”
As for Jake Paul? “Yeah. I’m gonna fight him too. I hope they change the name, I don’t wanna fight in anything called PFL. It’s gotta be MVP MMA, though.”
Diaz saved his toughest criticism for Ilia Topuria.
“Ilia is lame as f–k,” Nate declared. “Why? He’s f–king lame. He’s a punching bag. He called me a punching bag. He’s a f–king punching bag. He got his ass whooped. And they made a big deal out of him just like they did off Conor when he started coming [iup]. Well, you get a little early pump up before you’ve been in a real fight … He got a real fight with Justin Gaethje and now look at you.”
That’s some classic Nate Diaz right there, the kind of tough talk that keeps him popular despite being 2-4 over his last six. If he wants to get busy, it’s now or never. He’s 41 years old, and there’ll never be more promotions outside the UFC with the money to pay him what he’s worth.
