When did Nate Diaz leave the UFC?

Nate Diaz is one of the most well-known fighters in the mixed martial arts world, and the Stockton native is undeniably among the UFC’s biggest superstars ever. Diaz enthralled fans with his impressive fighting abilities, raw personality, and tank-like durability until the day he left the UFC after 15 years of service. This article closely examines when Nate Diaz left the UFC, his last fight, and his legacy. 

Nate Diaz’s Last Fight

After facing Leon Edwards at UFC 263, Nate Diaz had one fight left on his contract. Desperate to enter the realm of free agency as soon as possible, Diaz accepted the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev as his final opponent at UFC 279, much to the chagrin of many fight fans. 

While it was clear the UFC intended to bid him a painful farewell, the Chechen-born Swede failed to make weight by a considerable margin and was replaced by Tony Ferguson on short notice. The shuffling of the UFC 279 card pleased most fans, who got their wish to see the two UFC veterans fight granted. 

The fight between the two UFC stars was relatively even. Ferguson’s unrelenting kicks caused significant damage to Diaz, but despite this, the Stockton slugger still managed to hurt ‘El Cucuy’ with his exceptional boxing skills. In the fourth round, Nate Diaz managed to capitalize on an ill-advised takedown attempt and secured a guillotine choke to submit Tony Ferguson. 

Nate Diaz defeated Tony Ferguson via a round-four submission, which marked the end of his 15-year-long journey with the UFC since he opted not to re-sign with the promotion.

Aftermath and Legacy

Nate Diaz is widely considered one of the UFC’s biggest draws, and the younger Diaz sibling garnered quite a cult following during his time in the promotion, much like his elder brother Nick Diaz. 

The Stockton native also fought several world-class fighters during his tenure in the UFC, like Conor McGregor, Donald Cerrone, Michael Johnson, Anthony Pettis, and Rafael Dos Anjos. 

Conclusion

Nate Diaz left the UFC in September 2022 after fighting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. The Stockton legend fought in the promotion for 15 years and established himself as one of the most adored fighters in the UFC with his unique fighting technique, relentless pressure, and impressive endurance to withstand hits. He remains one of the most widely beloved fighters in mixed martial arts.