Nate Diaz’s boxing career proves grit can overcome technical polish. With more MMA stars crossing over, will this trend continue?
It is happening more and more that mixed martial arts fighters or those from the UFC formerly, are interested in becoming professional boxers.
Nate Diaz maybe one of the bigger names in recent years in pro boxing at the moment instead of MMA.
The American had fought Conor McGregor many years ago also.
Some notes on this continued trend people are observing in professional boxing and on Diaz;
- Lost to Jake Paul by unanimous decision in 2023 boxing debut
- Was dropped in fifth round but rallied to reach final bell — legendary toughness
- Dan Hardy said “not a single thing Nate threw at Jake hurt him” — power gap exposed
- Proved an MMA fighter with grit can survive 10 rounds against a trained boxer
- Has been doing some MMA again also
- Dustin Poirier wanted to box Diaz but UFC’s Zuffa Boxing allegedly blocked it
- Paul-Diaz fight proved crossovers are financially massive
- They get big additional audience for professional boxing as a sport
- More MMA fighters will follow for the payday alone. Boxing a far more lucrative sport for professional fighters.
- Technical gap means most MMA fighters will struggle against even mid-level boxers unless they can get the proper sparring early on in their careers
Nate Diaz though in his training and the fights he has had in boxing has proven he can box.
He defeated Jorge Masvidal back in 2024 in a very entertaining fight in professional boxing it must be noted, so, it is something that works for boxing and as a sport product also.
It is proven at this point, if the fights are matched right, and solid, entertaining fights, more additional audience from MMA and combat sports are additional boxing audience at this point.
A big victory for boxing at this point in terms of all the extra audience the sport continues to enjoy and get from these all the time.
On Nate Diaz himself, some notes on areas of technical boxing he does more than adept at in the sweet science;
- Throws extremely high volume — landed 143 punches against Paul, forcing opponents to work constantly
- Fundamentals are “basic” — low hand defense, relies on durability over technique
- Key weapon is a long jab followed by a left straight — throws it in an unusual rhythm that catches opponents off guard
- Mixes body and head effectively — landed 17 body shots on Jake Paul, draining his stamina
- Absorbs punishment to walk opponents down and outwork them — “grit over polish”
- Exceptional cardio is his biggest advantage — maintains pressure deep into fights while opponents fade
- Uses the Stockton slap — open-handed strikes to annoy, distract, and bait opponents into wild exchanges
- Comfortable fighting off the back foot — uses jab to keep distance and frustrate aggressive opponents
- His lunging left hook is a threat — catches opponents coming in when they’re off balance
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