Pros React to the Masterful Return Performance by Nate Diaz at UFC 241

Nate Diaz UFC 241
Nate Diaz, UFC 241 open workouts Credit: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press

Even Dillon Danis had to show respect after Nate Diaz’s masterful return performance at UFC 241, which saw him dismantle Anthony Pettis round-by-round.

Nate Diaz returned to action after a three year sabbatical on Saturday night at UFC 241. The Stockton, CA native, a fan favorite, last fought in a rematch with Conor McGregor back in 2016. During that time, the McGregor era had more or less petered out. Khabib Nurmagomedov had risen to the very pinnacle of the lightweight division. And former 155lb champ Anthony Pettis had made the move to welterweight, knocking out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in his 170lb debut.

After taking the McGregor fights at welterweight, Diaz returned to the division Saturday. It was anyone’s guess as to what to expect with his return. It wouldn’t have surprised anyone to see the fight fall through at the last minute. But there, finally, was Diaz, in the octagon, mean-mugging and tapping his chin ahead of the bout.

The bout wasn’t exactly what anyone expected. Diaz simply overwhelmed Pettis. On the feet, on the ground, he slowly chipped away. It was competitive, but Diaz looked stunningly good for a fighter away for three years. A unanimous decision win for Nate Diaz resulted on the scorecards.

See the pros react to the return of Nate Diaz at UFC 241 below!

Weed or Wheaties

Anyone head from Funky?

Respect where it’s due

He called out Masvidal. Sorry Leon, we need that one!