Looks like fight fans will get the Diaz vs. Masvidal rematch after all, albeit in a very different format than most would have anticipated.
The two former UFC fighters have entered into an agreement to fight in a boxing match scheduled for June 1st at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. The format will be a 10 round bout at a contracted 175lbs according to reports.
Diaz and Masvidal last met in the octagon on November 2nd, 2019 at UFC 244 in New York. Masvidal ultimately would emerge victorious via doctor’s stoppage, with the result being scored as a TKO victory.
The event, which is being promoted by Fanmio has been dubbed “Last Man Standing”, and combat sports fans can expect a healthy dose of trash talk in the lead up to their squared ring showdown. Diaz, 38, is currently a free agent, allowing him to set up bouts of his choosing. Whereas Masvidal, 39, had to officially retire from the UFC before he was able to able to begin booking his own events.
“Nate’s a dead man walking,” Masvidal said via a prepared statement. “I can’t wait to prove that last time was no fluke. He got saved by the referee. Now we are boxing, which he says is his forte, but he’s got no shot at beating me. I’m not going to give him an inch in that ring to even breathe. If he thought our MMA match was bad, this is going to be much worse. I’m going to drown him. I want to put away any talk that him and I are the same, or that the referee saved the day. All of that talk ends June 1. Violence and throwing hands are in both of our bloods but as I proved before, I’m a far superior athlete and I’m a meaner fighter. When June 1 comes I’ll put all unanswered questions to rest, live for the world to see.”
While ticket sale and pay-per-view information has yet to be officially released, Fanmio indicated that there will be a multi-city promotional tour leading up to the event, similar to that of McGregor vs. Mayweather several years prior.
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