'Not intentional'… Nate Diaz explains why he slapped his opponents during legendary UFC run
03/15/2025 07:05 AM
Nate Diaz has opened up about the method behind the madness of his famous Stockton slaps.
The American has undeniably cemented his status as one of the most popular fighters in UFC history.
In his enthralling career, the all-action brawler has delivered many an entertaining match-up. Diaz even choked out Conor McGregor, in one of the biggest upsets of all-time.
During that fight, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt slapped the Irishman in the face. And now, while he confesses that it’s sometimes unintentional, on occasion, there is a reason he throws it.
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Nate Diaz used his slap to make sure he connected
Nate Diaz has given a fascinating explanation as to why he throws his slap, explaining that a lot of the time, it’s his only way of landing on his opponent.
In addition, the 39-year-old revealed that he particularly enjoyed landing the shot on Leon Edwards and Conor McGregor.
In an interview with Full Violence, he said: “I slapped a lot of those f——. I liked when I slapped Leon Edwards, when I slap someone and then crack someone. I was like wack, boom.
“Conor’s f—— a–, remember, I slapped him. When he was hitting me and running and s—. I smacked him. You just got slapped. That was funny.
“A lot of times, it’s not intentional. Sometimes, you’re getting out the way of my punch. I throw a hook, and you move your head back, and I just miss, so when I do that, I open my hand, I’m like ‘Gotchu motherf—–.”
Nate Diaz made startling comment before his famous submission victory over Conor McGregor
On March 5, 2016, at UFC 196, inside the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, Diaz and McGregor went toe-to-toe in one of the highest-profile fights in MMA history.
In a truly startling surprise, the Californian managed to pull off a second-round submission victory via rear-naked choke.
And, shockingly, he foreshadowed the whole thing.
Prior to the fight, Diaz made a terrifying comment to McGregor.
