Nate Diaz is one of the most popular and intriguing personalities in mixed martial arts (MMA) today. Known for his fierce boxing skills, slick jiu-jitsu, and brazen attitude, Diaz has been a fixture in the UFC welterweight division for over a decade. But how old is this MMA icon, and what‘s his background?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll answer key questions about Nate Diaz including his current age, upbringing, physical stats, family, relationships, and more. Whether you‘re a devoted fan or just getting to know Nate, this is your resource for everything you need to know about one of the sport‘s biggest stars.
Introduction to Nate Diaz
For those unfamiliar, here‘s a quick introduction to get up to speed on who Nate Diaz is:
- American professional mixed martial artist
- Competes in UFC‘s welterweight and lightweight divisions
- Known for high-volume boxing and excellent jiu-jitsu
- Rose to fame by winning The Ultimate Fighter 5 in 2007
- Fierce rival of Conor McGregor, fought him twice in 2016
- Known for bold callouts and no-nonsense attitude
- Trains with brother Nick Diaz and coach Cesar Gracie
- Fights out of Stockton, California – home to Diaz Brothers MMA
Now 38 years old, Nate Diaz remains one of the most popular and competitive fighters on the UFC roster today. Let‘s take a closer look at his journey.
How Old is Nate Diaz? – Age and Early Life
Date of Birth: April 16, 1985
Current Age: 38 years (as of 2024)
Nathan Donald Diaz was born on April 16th, 1985 in Stockton, California. He was the youngest of 3 kids born to Melissa and Robert Diaz.
Growing up, Nate trained in martial arts alongside his older brother Nick. The two began honing their skills at a young age under the guidance of their Sifu Mike Winklejohn.
Stockton‘s high crime rate and poverty turned Diaz into a fighter early on. He competed in youth MMA events as a teenager before making his pro debut at 18.
Upbringing and Background
As mentioned, Diaz grew up in Stockton, an industrial town about an hour south of Sacramento. The city has a reputation for crime, poverty, and urban decay.
These conditions bred a generation of hardy, gritty fighters including the Diaz brothers. Nate says growing up in Stockton instilled a "kill or be killed" mentality needed to survive in MMA.
Despite the surroundings, Nate was raised in a tight-knight family under parents Robert and Melisa. He trained constantly with Nick, forging a close bond. Nick is 3 years Nate‘s senior and helped pave the way in MMA.
According to Nate, their parents were strict but supportive – encouraging the boys to pursue martial arts instead of running the streets. This upbringing shaped Nate‘s fierce loyalty towards his family and team.
Height, Weight, and Physical Stats
- Height: 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm)
- Reach: 76 inches (193 cm)
- Weight: Typically fights around 170 pounds
Nate Diaz‘s lanky 6-foot-tall frame gives him advantages in reach and range over most opponents. He knows how to utilize his long limbs effectively with accurate punches and nasty submissions.
Here‘s a look at how Nate Diaz‘s height and reach compare to other UFC stars:
| Fighter | Height | Reach |
|---|---|---|
| Nate Diaz | 6‘0" | 76" |
| Conor McGregor | 5‘9" | 74" |
| Jorge Masvidal | 5‘11" | 74" |
| Leon Edwards | 6‘2" | 74" |
Diaz is comfortable fighting at both lightweight and welterweight. His cardio allows him to maintain a high pace for 5 rounds regardless of weight class.
Notable Career Achievements
- Professional MMA Debut: 2004
- UFC Debut: June 2006 (UFC Fight Night 6)
- Ultimate Fighter 5 Winner: 2007
- Most UFC lightweight wins: 15 (tied with Jim Miller)
- Most consecutive UFC bonuses: 5
- Fight of the Night awards: 8 times
Some other key stats:
- UFC record: 21-13
- Significant strikes landed: 1,542
- Takedowns landed: 28
- Submission wins: 11
While he has never captured UFC gold, Diaz will go down as one of the most exciting and accomplished fighters in the promotion‘s history. His rivalry with Conor McGregor in 2016 propelled him to even greater stardom.
Family Members and Coaches
- Parents: Melissa and Robert Diaz
- Siblings:
- Brother Nick Diaz – former Strikeforce & UFC title challenger
- Sister Nina Diaz – MMA fighter & boxer
- Coach: Cesar Gracie – Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
Nate remains incredibly close with his family, considering them his inner circle. He and Nick run their "Diaz Brothers MMA" camp out of Stockton.
Cesar Gracie has been his BJJ coach since a teenager. Gracie awarded Diaz his black belt in 2012 and states "There’s nobody tougher than the Diaz brothers."
Relationship Status
Don‘t expect to find Nate Diaz on Raya anytime soon. He prefers to keep his personal life completely private.
Diaz has been romantically linked to various women like UFC ring girl Chrissie Blair. But he remains mysteriously single with no wife or kids.
At 38, it‘s clear Nate values his freedom and independence. Training and competing consume most of his time and focus.
Nate Diaz‘s Fighting Style and Techniques
Boxing
Nate Diaz possesses some of the sharpest boxing skills in the UFC lightweight division. He throws accurate punches in high volume, breaking down opponents with accumulation.
His reach helps him land crisp shots from the outside. Diaz also rips brutal body shots and uppercuts in the pocket. Against McGregor, he famously used his boxing to damage the Irishman and set up submissions.
BJJ and Grappling
On the mat, Diaz is a high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. He earned his BJJ black belt under Cesar Gracie, considered one of the top instructors in MMA.
Diaz uses his long limbs to threaten with tricky submissions like triangle chokes and armbars. Fighters must remain defensive against his crafty transitions and sweeps on the ground.
Recovery and Endurance
Nate possesses seemingly limitless cardio, able to maintain a breakneck pace from start to finish. His conditioning allows him to apply pressure late into fights after opponents tire.
Diaz also has an incredible ability to recover quickly. His "scar tissue" makes him difficult to damage and finish. Even when hurt, he bounces back to continue marching forward.
Mindset and Persona
Mentally, Diaz possesses an unbreakable will and granite chin. Growing up in the mean streets of Stockton required developing a "by any means necessary" mentality.
He pairs this attitude with a natural charisma the camera loves. Diaz captivates fans with his slang-laced callouts and middle-finger gestures. Win or lose, he always puts on a show.
Nate Diaz‘s Rivalry With Conor McGregor
No story better encapsulates who Nate Diaz is than his epic saga against Irish superstar Conor McGregor. Their back-and-forth rivalry in 2016 cemented Diaz‘s legacy.
It began when Diaz replaced injured lightweight Rafael dos Anjos on just 11 days notice to fight McGregor at UFC 196. McGregor had previously dominated featherweight and aimed to capture the lightweight belt against dos Anjos.
Diaz was selected as an easier matchup for the Irishman. But Nate had other plans.
At the pre-fight press conference, McGregor taunted Diaz‘s "cholo" gangster style. Diaz infamously shot back "I‘m not killing myself making weight…I party and still whoop ass." He vowed to teach McGregor a lesson.
And teach him he did. Diaz weathered an early storm and began overwhelming McGregor with pressure. In round two, Nate dropped the Irishman with a clean left straight before sinking in a rear naked choke for the tap.
McGregor, in denial, demanded an immediate rematch to restore his aura of invincibility. Nate agreed, declaring "I beat you after a weekend of partying…I‘ll beat you again."
At UFC 202, they again went to war in another brutal back-and-forth affair. This time, McGregor narrowly edged a majority decision victory. The rivalry made Nate Diaz a mainstream star, earning him the biggest payday of his career.
Their bad blood continues today. Fans hope the UFC books a trilogy fight to settle the score once and for all.
Nate Diaz‘s Impact and Legacy in MMA
Regardless of whether he ever wins a UFC title, Nate Diaz has already cemented his place in MMA history:
Fan Favorite: Diaz resonates with fans more than almost any fighter on the roster. His attitude and authenticity have made him hugely popular.
Fight Style: His high-volume boxing and slick jiu-jitsu influences a generation of young fighters. Diaz brought his unique skills from Stockton to the Octagon.
Rivalry: His epic series against McGregor transcended MMA into the cultural zeitgeist. It introduced Diaz to casual fans worldwide.
Post-fight Celebrations: Lighting up a joint during his post-fight interview ushered in the bond between MMA and cannabis culture.
Longevity: Still competing against elite competition after close to 20 years in the sport. His longevity is almost unheard of.
Nate Diaz may never be a UFC champion. But he doesn‘t need a belt to be a winner in fans‘ eyes.
Conclusion
Nate Diaz has grown from a scrappy kid brawling in Stockton to a UFC icon beloved by millions of MMA fans.
While approaching 40, the elder Diaz brother shows no signs of slowing down. His passion for competing and cultivating his skills burns hotter than ever before.
Regardless of when he hangs up the gloves for good, Diaz has already cemented an unforgettable legacy inside the Octagon. His impact on MMA and cult of personality will continue inspiring fighters for years to come.
So there you have it – the complete lowdown on MMA superstar Nate Diaz‘s age, height, family, rivalry with Conor McGregor and more. Let us know if you have any other questions on one of the UFC‘s most fascinating figures!
