Following Khamzat Chimaev’s recent fight against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, Nate Diaz publicly expressed harsh disapproval of Chimaev’s fighting style, sparking a heated debate among UFC fans and analysts. Diaz, known for his candid opinions, challenged Chimaev’s approach, particularly criticizing the grappling-heavy strategy and lack of decisive finishing in the bout.
During a livestream with Sneako, Diaz criticized the Chechen-born fighter for failing to close out the match even after dominating his opponent on the ground. He elaborated on his viewpoint by saying:
”I don’t like that kind of fighting, boring to me. Like [Chimaev’s] supposed to be the big scary guy, right? And remember when he had him in side control and he’s holding him? Dominating him, and then he’s like, let’s go and hit him a little bit, like little soft punches and sh*t. It’s like, that’s what people don’t understand about, like the style, like that type of fighter is a scared fighter. He’s scared for his life that he let go down much to hit, he’s that afraid that if he let’s go to hit him hard, that motherfu*ker might get up and get the fu*k away from him, so that’s a scared style to me.” —Nate Diaz, MMA fighter
Diaz further emphasized his disdain for Chimaev’s tactics by stating:
”He comes off as this big, intimidating guy but he’s a big scared f***ing child. That’s why I tweeted about, I said he’s not a fighter because you can tell by how scared he is holding him that tight.” —Nate Diaz, MMA fighter
This blunt denunciation intensified the existing discourse over Khamzat Chimaev UFC criticism, as fans debated whether his cautious grappling approach reflected strategic patience or fearfulness in the octagon.
Jake Paul sets up high-profile exhibition fight with Gervonta Davis in Atlanta
In other combat sports news, Jake Paul has scheduled an exhibition boxing match against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis for November. The bout will take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta and is reportedly planned to be streamed live worldwide on Netflix. Details regarding the number of rounds and contracted weight remain unconfirmed.
The fight will feature a significant weight difference, as Paul last weighed in at just under 200 pounds, while Davis tipped the scales near 134 pounds during his recent fight against Lamont Roach. Addressing these concerns, Paul’s manager reassured the public, stating:
“Jake will definitely have to come down below his 200-pound weight that he’s been fighting at. I can tell you that we’re going to have a fight that will have a definitive outcome, whether by way of knockout or decision.” —Jake Paul’s Manager
This matchup has generated excitement due to its unusual pairing of a crossover celebrity and a reigning boxing champion, making it one of the most talked-about exhibition bouts this year.
Daniel Cormier casts doubt on Conor McGregor’s intentions to return to MMA
Meanwhile, UFC legend Daniel Cormier expressed skepticism over Conor McGregor’s repeated talks of returning to the MMA scene. Cormier believes McGregor’s public statements about a comeback are more about maintaining visibility in the media rather than a genuine desire to compete again.
Explaining his view, Cormier said:
“Conor says he wants to fight all the time, and everybody jumps to it, but it’s like, he wants to stay relevant, he wants to stay in the news, he wants the notoriety of being Conor McGregor without having to be Conor McGregor. That kind of sucks because when he was the man, I bet you tapped in. I bet you tapped into the UFC more than ever [because] he could sell a fight.” —Daniel Cormier, UFC legend
Cormier’s remarks suggest skepticism about McGregor’s motives, implying that the former featherweight and lightweight champion may be leveraging his fame more than focusing on competition.
Implications for UFC and combat sports going forward
The recent controversies highlight the growing tensions within MMA between traditionalists and newer fighting styles, as exemplified by Nate Diaz’s outspoken disapproval of Khamzat Chimaev’s tactics. This ongoing debate over what defines an effective or honorable fighter may impact future fighter reputations and fan support.
Jake Paul’s high-profile exhibition with Gervonta Davis also reflects the continued blurring between boxing and MMA worlds, drawing broader audiences but raising questions about competitive legitimacy. Meanwhile, Daniel Cormier’s comments on Conor McGregor’s potential return remind fans to temper expectations as MMA icons navigate their careers post-peak.
As these narratives develop, the mixed martial arts community will closely watch how fighters’ legacies evolve amid criticism and new matchups, shaping the sport’s future trajectory.