STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA: The proposed regulation change that would have allowed Nate Diaz and Jake Paul to square off over 10 rounds has been scrapped. The 38-year-old UFC icon Diaz will make his boxing debut on August 5, 2023, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, against the 26-year-old Paul.
It will be Diaz's first fight since his 15-year run with the UFC ended last September. Back then, he won the main event of UFC 279 by using the guillotine choke on Tony Ferguson, who tapped out.
'I’m good with 8'
Diaz reportedly sought for a regulation modification that would have scheduled him and Paul for 10 rounds, as the initial booking for Paul vs Diaz was for eight rounds. Paul tweeted that he had accepted his rival's offer writing, "I guess he has good cardio. Ok Nathan, 10 rounds it is," but Diaz has backtracked in his latest tweet, which read: "I’m good with 8".
If the regulation adjustment hadn't been overturned, Paul would have faced 10 rounds for the first time in his boxing career. Considering Paul's forecast for the fight, stating that he would be in trouble if he couldn't knock Diaz out in the first few rounds, Diaz's decision to reject the rule modification seems unexpected.
Paul vs Diaz
Paul and Diaz did have a confrontational encounter at their press conference last month, despite Paul generally treating Diaz with respect throughout the build-up to their fight. However, during the press conference, Paul made fun of Diaz, who briefly left the stage to use the restroom. Paul brought out a plastic monkey that claps and compared it to what he claimed goes through Diaz's mind.
Paul recently moved into a brand-new $16 million home in Puerto Rico and plans to use his music studio to release a 'diss track' aimed at Diaz as their fight approaches. He said, "The music studio being here means it's time to make a song again. Maybe two songs. I want to make a Nate Diaz diss track and maybe just another song, kind of like fresh out of London vibes."
