Nate Diaz Ahead of UFC 202: 'I'm a Human Being, Too'
Nate Diaz Ahead of UFC 202: 'I'm a Human Being, Too'
Facing a short turnaround between fights isn't anything new in mixed martial arts. But according to Nate Diaz, the UFC wasted no time while trying to book a
Facing a short turnaround between fights isn't anything new in mixed martial arts. But according to Nate Diaz, the UFC wasted no time while trying to book a rematch for him against Conor McGregor after UFC 196.
While speaking to BTSport earlier this week, Diaz revealed that, just 72 hours after he defeated Conor McGrgeor in March, the UFC called him to initiate discussion of a rematch.
"I fought the last time, and they called me on short notice, and now we are at it again," Diaz said. "The fight started when they first called me, and it hasn't ended yet, so it's not like I've had time to sit back and really enjoy it.
"The UFC called me like three days later about the next fight. They want me out; they wanted to try and get me out of here. It's not been something I can sit back and just pretend like it's done--it's just something that never ends."
As UFC 202 creeps closer, Diaz continues to embrace the media, and claims it has helped his public persona.
"All I've had all my career is, like, real hardcore footage and all serious," Diaz said. "So then I go to my grocery store in my hometown, and everyone is looking at me like [I'm] a maniac. It's good now that people are like smiling and saying, 'I saw that thing with you!' It's just easier to walk around.
"It's like, 'Hey, I'm a human being, too' and I'm just trying to live my life and do my thing. I'm not trying to take people out every second of every day. It's good to get a different look and a different perspective on myself from the people, so it's been good."
Diaz believes these newfound perceptions have been shaped by the extra media exposure he's had since beating McGregor at UFC 196, and insists he's not putting up a front like some of his other UFC colleagues.
"I know myself, so I know what I bring to the table," Diaz said. "It's been good to do all the press so people can get a different look. I can look at myself and think, 'OK, that's me.' A lot of these guys don't know what they are doing. They are just faking a front on the television, and they don't even know who they are."
While speaking to BTSport earlier this week, Diaz revealed that, just 72 hours after he defeated Conor McGrgeor in March, the UFC called him to initiate discussion of a rematch.
"I fought the last time, and they called me on short notice, and now we are at it again," Diaz said. "The fight started when they first called me, and it hasn't ended yet, so it's not like I've had time to sit back and really enjoy it.
"The UFC called me like three days later about the next fight. They want me out; they wanted to try and get me out of here. It's not been something I can sit back and just pretend like it's done--it's just something that never ends."
As UFC 202 creeps closer, Diaz continues to embrace the media, and claims it has helped his public persona.
"All I've had all my career is, like, real hardcore footage and all serious," Diaz said. "So then I go to my grocery store in my hometown, and everyone is looking at me like [I'm] a maniac. It's good now that people are like smiling and saying, 'I saw that thing with you!' It's just easier to walk around.
"It's like, 'Hey, I'm a human being, too' and I'm just trying to live my life and do my thing. I'm not trying to take people out every second of every day. It's good to get a different look and a different perspective on myself from the people, so it's been good."
Diaz believes these newfound perceptions have been shaped by the extra media exposure he's had since beating McGregor at UFC 196, and insists he's not putting up a front like some of his other UFC colleagues.
"I know myself, so I know what I bring to the table," Diaz said. "It's been good to do all the press so people can get a different look. I can look at myself and think, 'OK, that's me.' A lot of these guys don't know what they are doing. They are just faking a front on the television, and they don't even know who they are."