Roundtable: What’s at stake for Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz once they step into the boxing ring?

Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz are set to collide once more, this time for… nicely, we’re unsure precisely.

The fan-favorite MMA stars run it again this Saturday in a boxing match offered by Fanmio in Anaheim, Calif., practically 5 years after Masvidal defeated Diaz at UFC 244 to turn out to be the inaugural “BMF” champion. They’re strapping on the large pink gloves for Spherical 2, and whereas its at all times nice to see longtime UFC standouts increase their horizons, it’s unclear what both man stands to realize in the long term with a win (apart from a pleasant increase to the checking account, one presumes).

MMA Preventing’s Jed Meshew, Damon Martin, and Alexander Ok. Lee obtained collectively to survey the scene and try to determine what precisely the stakes are for Masvidal and Diaz (if any) and what it might all imply for the fighters going ahead.

1. Why ought to battle followers tune in Saturday?

Meshew: As a result of there’s nothing higher to do?

I’ve been fairly upfront about this battle all the time in that it merely has zero enchantment for me. Diaz and Masvidal are previous their prime, out of their aspect, and competing for nothing apart from your hard-earned {dollars}. Once more, zero enchantment for me. And based mostly on their Wednesday press convention, it doesn’t enchantment to them a lot both. Nate confirmed up late, each males barely spoke, after which they only walked off on the finish. These two dudes don’t even care, so why must you?

That being mentioned, if I’m making an attempt to make a case for why you must care, it’s this: this can be a completely affordable battle as a result of each of them are outdated and each of them aren’t boxers. This isn’t Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson the place it’s unlikely to be aggressive and there’s an actual probability of one thing tragic going down. It’s a good battle between two well-known individuals. That doesn’t do it for me, however maybe it does for you.

And if that’s the case, terrific! You’re going to have a strong Saturday. Should you’re not however you don’t have anything else to do? Would possibly as nicely. In any case, it’s a vacation weekend and there isn’t a lot else in the way in which of fight sports activities, so you are able to do worse than watching. And should you’re like me and have completely no curiosity? Spend your time doing different issues this weekend and simply verify again right here for all of the vital stuff as a result of we’ll have you ever lined.

Martin: The primary purpose? You recognize these guys.

Prefer it or not, star energy and having a notable title carry you very, very far on the earth of fight sports activities. You’d suppose in some unspecified time in the future wins and losses would actually matter however they actually don’t. Age? Yeah, that’s an issue from these pesky athletes making tens of millions within the NFL, NBA and MLB. Look no additional than the curiosity in Jake Paul combating a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, who hasn’t received an precise sanctioned battle in 21 years.

To be honest, Diaz and Masvidal aren’t that far faraway from the prime of their careers nevertheless it’s additionally protected to say that neither are at their peak both. That’s why in contrast to Paul vs. Tyson, this can be a completely advantageous battle to look at on a Saturday evening and to their credit score, the groups behind the fighters have amassed a reasonably first rate undercard, too.

Nobody goes to mistake Diaz or Masvidal for a world class boxer so combating one another is ok versus both of them difficult any individual across the identical weight like Artur Beterbiev, who would nearly definitely dispatch each inside three rounds on the identical evening. The one factor that might make this a way more enticing choice could be Masvidal and Diaz working it again as an MMA battle.

Sadly, with Masvidal nonetheless underneath contract to the UFC, it appears extremely unlikely the promotion would give him permission to compete in opposition to anyone in MMA a lot much less an precise sellable battle just like the one in opposition to Diaz.

Lee: As a result of MMA is meant to be enjoyable!

I get that after their first battle in 2019, solely Diaz devotees have been clamoring to see these two run it again once more, however one can’t deny that their is an unquantifiable electrical energy to this pairing. Possibly it’s as a result of they’re each heroes of the hardcore that crossed over to the mainstream in an enormous method, possibly it’s their uncompromising personas, or possibly it’s simply because these two come to scrap each time, no matter it’s, the proverbial fireworks are assured (and on July 4 weekend no much less!).

No, that hasn’t performed out on the microphone or on the multitude of media occasions organized to advertise this battle (aside from one notable inter-entourage brawl. Killshot ceaselessly!), and that’s a bummer. Being trustworthy with ourselves although, Masvidal and Diaz have at all times labored higher as B-sides to extra extremely touted fighters (Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman, Diaz vs. Leon Edwards) or extra verbose ones (Masvidal vs. Colby Covington, Diaz vs. Conor McGregor). Verbally, these two are like oil and oil. It’s simply a number of oil.

A number of oil that I anticipate to combust on battle evening (see what I did there?)! Neglect how laconic the build-up has been. When the lights are shining, these two ship. Ten rounds, zero mixing of the martial arts, and loads of fists flying. You need trash discuss? They’re saving that for the ring and you might need to have the mute button readily available if there are extra delicate ears close to the display screen.

These two have been caged for too lengthy (see what I did there???). Outdoors of the comfortable confines of the octagon, let’s see what these brawlers can actually do.

2. What’s the best-case state of affairs that might play out on battle evening?

Lee: Shenanigans, and loads of them.

As a lot as I’m hoping to see a aggressive battle, I’m hoping much more for some traditional fight sports activities weirdness. Give me a few low blows, give me an “unintended” takedown, give me a cornerman getting somewhat too concerned within the match. A straight-up show of the candy science? Who needs that?

Heck, give me chicanery on the scorecards. No matter will get tongues wagging and fingers tweeting and podcast hosts blabbing, I’m right here for it. And please, most significantly of all, give me an unreasonable callout.

I’m not speaking the standard “Conor McGregor, the place you at?” nonsense. That’s performed. I’m speaking Diaz threatening to go on a quick meals binge and bulk as much as heavyweight to battle Francis Ngannou. I’m speaking Masvidal making a run at Oleksandr Usyk. Simply go all the way in which dumb along with your mic time. Why not? We’re already right here.

Meshew: A aggressive, back-and-forth warfare.

To circle again to the primary query, should you’re on the lookout for a purpose to purchase this PPV, that’s the hope no less than, and it might occur.

There’s an overarching concept that Masvidal goes to tune up Diaz, each as a result of he did it once they fought in MMA and since he appears much less washed than Nate. It may not be unsuitable, however I’m not completely certain it’s proper. Sure, Masvidal clubbed him round, however he additionally did a number of MMA issues in that battle. This being boxing does assist Nate in that regard.

Each Diaz and Masvidal are traditionally very enjoyable fighters to look at, and once they aren’t it’s often as a result of somebody is out-grappling them. That’s not a lot of an choice on Saturday so there may be no less than some probability that Diaz and Masvidal get in there and wail on one another in exhilarating style. Do I believe it’s possible? No, however it’s doable. And if that occurs nobody shall be upset they dropped $50 on this.

Martin: An precise enjoyable battle or a brutal knockout would ship right here.

As a result of Masvidal and Diaz aren’t the very best boxers on the earth, technique and approach can sort of go proper out the window in a battle like this. Nobody goes to mistake both of those fighters for Terence Crawford so don’t attempt to faux to be a Want model of him come battle evening. Simply go on the market and throw down and provides the followers a present!

When Masvidal and Diaz are at their greatest, they’re greater than able to placing on a memorable battle price watching. In fact, Masvidal’s greatest highlight-reel win got here from a flying knee delivered to Ben Askren whereas Diaz’s was a rear-naked choke submission over Conor McGregor … and people weapons received’t be obtainable on Saturday.

Nonetheless, these guys dislike one another a lot, they might simply go in there and begin throwing punches like a Toughman Contest and it may very well be enjoyable. As a lot as it’d sting, the opposite end result the place certainly one of them suffers a devastating knockout will enable the winner to finish this rivalry and probably arrange one other profitable crossover battle sooner or later.

3. The place do Masvidal and Diaz go from right here?

Martin: That really is determined by how the battle performs out greater than anything.

If Masvidal and Diaz can one way or the other resurrect the very best of themselves for a number of rounds and placed on a barnburner battle then there are a number of potentialities. Possibly that’s extra influencer boxing or in Masvidal’s case, possibly he runs it again with Darren Until with 10-ounce gloves this time round after he blasted the Brit of their first encounter within the UFC.

Masvidal doesn’t appear curious about doing MMA anymore and even when he does, which means a return to the UFC. So a very good exhibiting on Saturday might arrange a number of completely different potentialities within the boxing world for Masvidal, particularly if he’s keen to tackle opponents who obtained well-known off of YouTube or social media.

Now in relation to Diaz, he truly has higher alternatives probably awaiting him.

A powerful win over a former foe like Masvidal might assist Diaz get one other marquee boxing match and even higher but, he might lastly swoop in for that third battle in opposition to Conor McGregor that will not occur in any other case. Diaz is 39 so the clock is ticking on returning to the UFC and convincing the world that he’s nonetheless the identical man who choked out McGregor eight years in the past. Then once more, McGregor positively isn’t the identical man he was again then both so a trilogy in opposition to Diaz may very well be simply what the physician ordered.

Anybody need to volunteer to verify on Michael Chandler if that occurs?

Lee: For Masvidal, he’s obtained time with the UFC left to expire. For Diaz, it’s anyone’s guess.

I couldn’t inform you what intriguing matchups are left for Masvidal in a welterweight division that’s lastly set to get shifting alongside when Leon Edwards truly defends his title this 12 months. The highest 10 at 170 truly has some recent blood, none of whom make sense for “Gamebred.” That mentioned, there’s some outdated blood returning quickly and win or lose, if he needs to battle once more, Masvidal makes for a logical dance accomplice.

Heaven assist us, I’m speaking about Masvidal vs. Nick Diaz. Within the UFC. In 2025.

Let’s transfer on.

Frankly, as underwhelming because the enterprise has been to this point, assuming certainly one of our best-case situations performs out on Saturday, it looks like Diaz’s boxing adventures are simply getting began. Sure, it’s completely doable he returns to the UFC sooner or later. That’s the entire level of getting choices. However I nonetheless suppose there are enjoyable fights available earlier than he falls again into maintain habits.

In an ideal world, Diaz finds that center floor nicely above influencer boxing, however a number of notches under illusions of official boxing championship grandeur. I’m simply saying, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is correct there (and sure, I do know he’s booked to battle Uriah Corridor quickly, however after that, he has future Diaz opponent written throughout him).

Hold doing you, Nate.

Meshew: Retirement village.

Nah, they received’t. However man it might be good in the event that they did. Each males have made some huge cash and each are outdated. It will be good in the event that they stopped buying and selling in mind cells and long-term well being for extra money. However that’s not how these items go, is it?

As an alternative, I believe there are two doable outcomes.

The primary is that they rematch. If this battle finally ends up being shut or if it’s a draw, then I believe they’ll simply run issues again. Neither man has a ton of choices that is sensible and that might possible do as nicely if not higher than this one does.

The much less possible state of affairs (although it’s getting extra possible by the day) is that Nate returns to the UFC to battle Conor McGregor whereas Masvidal retains heading down the boxing path.

Masvidal’s boxing endgame seems to be the identical as everybody else’s: a battle with Jake Paul. Paul’s dance card is fairly full for the remainder of the 12 months, however Masvidal additionally has a random beef with Chael Sonnen in the intervening time so maybe these two can field on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson undercard, establishing Masvidal to get the battle he’s clearly after.

In the meantime, it’s turn out to be obviously apparent that McGregor doesn’t care about combating Michael Chandler. Do you suppose Conor would’ve pulled out of a Diaz battle over a damaged toe? Come on. If the UFC needs Conor again, they should get him a battle he’s enthusiastic about, which I believe is a part of why Chandler was rumored to have been provided a title shot.

If Chandler decides that’s a adequate alternative to pivot to, then the UFC can re-sign Nate and he and Conor can settle up, whereas Chandler will get obliterated by Islam Makhachev after which laments his wasted two years.

All people wins!