Nate Diaz has ‘rolled over’ ahead of Aug. 5 boxing match

Jake Paul has received the model of Nate Diaz he anticipated because the weeks wind right down to their boxing match.

Diaz is about to make his first post-UFC look on Aug. 5 when he takes on Paul in his skilled boxing debut. The ten-round, 185-pound battle takes place at American Airways Middle in Dallas and airs on pay-per-view.

After spending greater than 15 years beneath the UFC banner, Diaz was in a position to free himself from the promotion and arrange a bout with Paul. The previous UFC title challenger has construct a popularity as a no-nonsense particular person who doesn’t shy from confrontation within the lead as much as a battle.

Paul hasn’t discovered the top of Diaz’s wrath but, although.

Diaz was mostly cordial within the first press convention between the 2 sides, and was even complementary of Paul’s rise from a YouTuber right into a boxer. He hasn’t bit on Paul’s attacks, and has been largely inactive on social media by the lead-up to the battle. It’s principally been radio silence, and Paul is upset his opponent isn’t participating.

“That’s what I needed – that’s why I signed up for this – is to present the individuals a present and to squash this beef,” Paul advised MMA Junkie. “He talked much more sh*t to me earlier than we signed as much as battle. So, he’s sort of being a b*tch in that sense. I anticipated extra out of him and I anticipated him to hold that gangster perspective and to not take my insults. However he’s just about rolled over like a b*tch, and has been fairly boring. Which pisses me off. However I’m used to carrying these promotions. It’s no totally different on this one.”

Even when Diaz isn’t doing his half from Paul’s perspective, he’s nonetheless anticipating a profitable occasion.

There are nonetheless greater than two weeks till battle night time and, given the personalities concerned, fireworks may occur at any time. The pair will work together once more through the battle days previous to sharing the ring, and Paul hopes that can drive even additional fan curiosity.

“I believe it’s going to shock everybody,” Paul mentioned. “That is essentially the most quantity of curiosity we’ve had by way of ticket gross sales, dwell gate. We’re just about all offered out. The best common ticket costs for any of my fights. The primary time my opponent had this a lot traction on social media by way of the posts he’s making about it. So I believe it may well exceed expectations. I might be pleased with 400,000 or 500,000 (pay-per-view buys). However I’m additionally coming off of promoting 830,000 with Tommy (Fury). So it may very well be even greater. Nate Diaz is an even bigger star than Tommy Fury. He has extra expertise on this sport. Has offered tens of millions of PPVs all through his profession. So it may shock us all.”

One twist that has occurred since Paul vs. Diaz was booked was an alteration to the rounds of the competition. It was initially scheduled for eight rounds, however has since been elevated to 10 rounds, which Paul has by no means fought earlier than.

Paul mentioned the change got here at Diaz’s request, and he fortunately obliged, as a result of it is going to make the win extra significant.

“Nate’s workforce needed it,” Paul mentioned. “They thought his cardio is superior to mine and so they thought it could be a bonus to them to do an extended battle. They hit us up with the concept, I mentioned immediately, ‘Certain, let’s do it.’ To me it simply makes the battle extra thrilling. I’ve by no means again down from any opponent, any problem, any battle, any request. So right here we’re. It does make the battle extra attention-grabbing due to his cardio, and everybody is aware of he can take numerous injury and maintain coming ahead. Even when I’m successful within the early rounds, there may very well be a bonus to him within the later rounds.”

For extra on the matchup, go to MMA Junkie’s hub for Paul vs. Diaz.