Nate Diaz has publicly denounced the rivalry between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev as fabricated. Diaz expressed his strong disapproval of their staged animosity, particularly after their middleweight title fight at UFC 328, which took place on May 9, 2026.
Strickland and Chimaev engaged in a prolonged verbal exchange for months leading up to their bout, touching on sensitive topics such as religion and personal lives. The tension escalated at a press conference when Chimaev physically assaulted Strickland, despite the presence of security. This incident led to increased security measures, including separate hotel accommodations and metal detectors, which Strickland attributed to Chimaev’s large entourage.
Despite the heated rhetoric, Strickland ultimately won the fight by split decision. After the fight, the two fighters embraced in the Octagon and Strickland later referred to Chimaev as a “warrior,” admitting that the trash talk was primarily a tactic to promote the fight.
Diaz’s Candid Remarks
Diaz shared his views on Ariel Helwani’s show, stating that the animosity between Strickland and Chimaev was “soft” and that they were “faking the funk” and acting. He criticized their behavior, highlighting the contrast between their heated exchanges and their subsequent affectionate gestures, calling them “fake puppets.” Diaz emphasized that he would not be able to live with himself if he engaged in such deceptive practices.
In contrast to the perceived artificiality of the Strickland-Chimaev feud, Diaz pointed to his own upcoming fight against Mike Perry for MVP MMA 1 on May 16, 2026. Diaz believes that his matchup with Perry, a veteran of bare-knuckle boxing, does not require manufactured drama due to their mutual respect.
The event, which will be streamed on Netflix, will feature a five-round welterweight bout under Unified Rules. MVP is aiming to attract a significant audience by featuring well-known fighters, including Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano on the same card. Diaz remains committed to his straightforward approach: to compete authentically without pretense.
English Translation:
Nate Diaz has sharp words for Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev. He calls their rivalry fake ahead of his own fight. This comes days after UFC 328.
Strickland and Chimaev traded insults for months before their middleweight title fight on May 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Topics included religion, family, and home life. At a press conference, Chimaev kicked Strickland in the shin despite armed police nearby. Security pulled them apart as words turned physical. The UFC placed them in separate hotels and added metal detectors at one fighter hotel. Strickland blamed Chimaev’s large entourage for the extra measures.
Strickland won by split decision with scores of 48-47, 47-48, 48-47. Chimaev controlled the first round with takedowns and submissions. Strickland rallied with strikes and takedown defense over five rounds. This marked Chimaev’s first loss in 16 fights and gave Strickland his second middleweight title. The fighters hugged in the Octagon right after the decision. Strickland later called Chimaev a warrior on social media. He said the trash talk served to sell the fight.
Nate Diaz Calls out Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev
Diaz spoke on Ariel Helwani’s show during a faceoff with Mike Perry for MVP MMA 1. The event hits Netflix on May 16, 2026, in Inglewood, California. It’s a five-round welterweight bout under Unified Rules in a hexagon cage.
“It’s soft. They were faking the funk. They were fcking acting like crazy and talking all this sht to each other and then hugging and showing love like some bitches. Fake fcking puppets. I’m fcking cool off that sht. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I was bullshtting everybody.”
Diaz contrasted this with his matchup against Perry, a BKFC veteran. He stressed no need for staged drama. They respect each other enough to skip the act.
Perry, known as the King of Violence, steps back to MMA from bare-knuckle. The card also features Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. MVP aims to draw viewers with big names on streaming on Netflix. Diaz keeps his approach simple: show up, fight real.
