With a month to go before their highly anticipated fight, Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal are already trading blows—verbally and physically. The tension between the two fighters exploded at a press conference in Anaheim on Thursday, setting the stage for an intense showdown on July 6.
The drama began when Diaz abruptly stormed off the stage, opting out of the ceremonial face-off with Masvidal. The atmosphere was already charged, but what happened next took everyone by surprise.
Team Nate Diaz just swung on Jorge Masvidal and an all-out brawl broke out at the presser 😳 pic.twitter.com/qECFKHe6uz
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) June 6, 2024
While the exact cause of the altercation remains unclear, it likely stemmed from the usual pre-fight trash talk. In a video captured of the incident, Masvidal can be seen slapping a man's hand away, which quickly escalated into a brawl. The melee involved both fighters' entourages, with one man taking a dramatic tumble into the seats, knocking over an entire row.
Shouts for security to contain Masvidal echoed through the venue, but the chaos persisted for at least a minute. In the thick of it, a member of Diaz's crew was heard hurling insults at Masvidal, calling him a "bitch."
Nate Diaz saw Jorge Masvidal after the brawl and tried to fight him 😭
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 6, 2024
"F*** you looking at. Come here and get you're f***ing asses whipped then."
🎥 @FightHubTV #Boxing #DiazMasvidal pic.twitter.com/mmgk1sqYTS
Though the situation eventually seemed to de-escalate, the peace was short-lived. Diaz and Masvidal encountered each other again inside the venue, exchanging heated words from across a hallway. The intensity of their confrontation promises an electrifying fight, assuming they don't have another run-in before July 6
This pre-fight skirmish has only heightened the anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling bout. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if this animosity will translate into one of the most exciting fights of the year. Stay tuned for what is sure to be an unforgettable event.