If there have been any considerations that Nate Diaz’s star energy has waned in the 19 months since he entered a UFC cage, he possible disappeared in a cloud of marijuana smoke at the UFC 263 pre-fight press convention.
With a raucous crowd at the Arizona Federal Theater, Diaz was as in demand as Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori, or co-stars Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno, if no more.
Diaz faces prime welterweight contender Leon Edwards in a five-round match on the essential card Saturday at Gila River Area in Glendale, Arizona.
As the six fighters current regarded for one final probability to generate curiosity in the occasion, Diaz’s presence appeared extra essential than any phrases. The 36-year-old Stockton, California native admitted that the help from followers was spectacular.
“It makes me joyful to be again and to be on an awesome card. I’m enthusiastic about that. “
That was his complete reply, and it wasn’t even the shortest reply of the day. That honor would go to this detailed reply when requested how coaching camp was: “Camp was good.”
Diaz’s demeanor was in stark distinction to the blaring tirades between middleweight champion Adesanya and challenger Vettori. Nonetheless, the help from followers for his each phrase was no much less emphatic, particularly as he took just a few puffs from a joint, first half-hiding it below the dais and then in the open air as the ceremony progressed.
“There may be love wherever I am going,” Diaz mentioned. “I really like the help and I really like all this shit. That is nice. It’s additionally nice that these guys are doing their factor too. Hell yeah, an actual battle, that’s nice. “
Flyweight champion Figueiredo tried to gasoline his rivalry with Moreno by speaking trash. Diaz did no such factor, however as a substitute provided an enormous praise to his opponent. Nate in contrast Edwards to the legendary Georges St-Pierre.
“I feel simply as GSP was doing their factor a very long time in the past, I feel Edwards is doing the similar, and he’s not getting any credit score for that. So I’m excited to battle a worthy opponent. That’s the reason I’m right here and I come to win ”.
Reaching that can actually not be a straightforward job. The bookies have Edwards as a -600 favourite. This suggests an expectation of just about 86% that the Briton will defeat Diaz. Which might put him 1-Three in his final 4 appearances.
However because it has been for a lot of his profession, Thursday’s press convention proved as soon as once more that Diaz has reached the uncommon state of boasting of a profession that’s not completely depending on wins, nor does it require a boisterous shove before the battle . When Diaz is on the card, followers already know precisely what to anticipate.
“Each battle goes to be the greatest battle they’ve ever seen,” Diaz mentioned.
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