Nate Diaz slaps member of Jake Paul's team, gets escorted out before main event
Nate Diaz appeared to slap a member of Jake Paul's team backstage ahead of the Problem Child's win over Anderson Silva.
Diaz was in attendance to watch his teammate Chris Avila beat YouTube star 'Doctor' Mike Varshavski on the undercard at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
But the Stockton fighter caused controversy after footage showed him involved in an altercation. In footage doing the rounds online, Diaz could be seen planting a slap on an unidentified individual.
It's been claimed that the man, heavily tattooed on his head, is responsible for Paul's meditation.
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Diaz had posted a picture of him sat ringside supporting Avila but he also went on Instagram live and documented the moment security guards refused to let him on the floor of the arena.
The only Real fighters here
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 30, 2022
@RealFightINC pic.twitter.com/LWjgwTFhQj
At this point it's unclear as to what exactly sparked the fracas. After Paul moved to 6-0 in professional boxing by beating UFC legend Silva via unanimous decision, he called out Diaz and branded him a "b***h".
And his post-match press conference, as well as going after UFC president Dana White once again, the 25-year-old slated the former UFC star for his conduct at the fight.
"Nate Diaz was here acting like a b***h," Paul said.
"Everyone wants that fight. He tried to fight people in the hallway.
"Nate stop fighting people for free, let's do it in the ring. I know you're a little slow buddy but it's okay, we can make that fight happen.
"It's typical of him. That's what he likes to do, he's a street gangster. He likes to act tough and he's really not. Why you trying to beat someone up in a hallway bro?"
Jake Paul reacts to Nate Diaz appearing to slap a member of his team in a backstage altercation tonight…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 30, 2022
[📽️ @ShowtimeBoxing] pic.twitter.com/PFLOOl4cHR
Diaz does have form for this type of behaviour. In December 2021, he was involved in a brawl at the weigh-in ahead of Paul's second bout with Tyron Woodley.
Team Nate Diaz gets into brawl with @BellatorMMA champ @ajmckee101 and @anthony_foreal at #PaulWoodley2 weigh-ins @NateDiaz209 pic.twitter.com/k9bkgYOH44
— BroBible (@BroBible) December 17, 2021
The 37-year-old is currently a free agent, with his final fight on his UFC deal a submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September.
Josh Lawless