Nate Diaz Beats Jorge Masvidal by Majority Decision: Round-by-Round Fight Analysis

It took almost five years for the rematch, but it was worth the wait, especially for fans of Nate Diaz. On Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Nate Diaz defeated his rival Jorge Masvidal by majority decision in a 10-round light heavyweight bout. The judges scored the fight 95-95, 97-93, and 98-92, giving Diaz the victory in a highly anticipated rematch.

“It feels good to get the job done for sure,’’ Diaz said. “Mission accomplished.”

The fight, which featured two 39-year-old veterans of the sport, was a grueling and intense affair. Both fighters pummeled each other throughout the bout, maintaining an impressive pace from start to finish.

“I thought I won,’’ Masvidal said. “I thought I hit the harder shots. He did land more volume. But I definitely thought I landed the way, way better shots.’’

The two former UFC stars first faced off more than four and a half years ago for the inaugural BMF (Baddest Mother F***er) belt in the Octagon. Masvidal won that fight when it was stopped due to a deep cut below Diaz’s left eye. This time, Diaz emerged victorious, proving his resilience and determination.

Round-by-Round Analysis

Round 1

Diaz came out swinging early, but it was Masvidal who quickly turned into the aggressor. Diaz backed Masvidal into a corner, but Masvidal easily slipped out. The pace then slowed, with Diaz shadowing his rival. Diaz landed more punches, though they lacked power, while Masvidal appeared more technically sound. The round ended with Diaz shaking his head after taking a punch from Masvidal. Score: Diaz 10, Masvidal 9.

Round 2

Masvidal asserted himself more in the second round, landing a couple of blows early. Diaz’s plodding movement seemed to throw Masvidal off balance at times. Masvidal then connected with a hard right, showcasing his speed and technical prowess. Diaz continued to stalk Masvidal, but Masvidal’s counters were effective. Score: Diaz 19, Masvidal 19.

Round 3

Diaz charged out at the start of the third round, backing Masvidal into a corner. Masvidal responded with right hands that snapped Diaz’s head back. Masvidal’s speed and counters appeared to be solving Diaz’s style, though Diaz landed a couple of blows in return. The exchanges were spirited, but Masvidal seemed to have the upper hand. Score: Masvidal 29, Diaz 28.

Round 4

Diaz’s punches did not look ferocious, but Masvidal showed respect when Diaz threw them. Masvidal’s own punches were crisper and quicker. Diaz started working the body, and the round turned into a brawl with both fighters exchanging punches relentlessly. The round ended with Diaz raising his arms in triumph. Score: Masvidal 38, Diaz 38.

Round 5

The pace of the fight did not slow down in the fifth round. Diaz’s relentlessness continued to be his strength, while Masvidal’s counters were precise and powerful. Diaz backed Masvidal into a corner and battered him before Masvidal circled around and fired his own punches. Score: Masvidal 48, Diaz 47.

Round 6

Diaz relished his role as the aggressor, and Masvidal welcomed it, proving to be an effective counterpuncher. Diaz’s punches appeared to be doing damage, and he landed several in the corner. Masvidal fought back, landing left punches and keeping the fight fierce. Score: Masvidal 58, Diaz 56.

Round 7

Masvidal threw wicked punches that did not deter Diaz from stalking. Diaz looked far more prepared and invested than in his previous fight against Jake Paul. The exchanges were endless, with both fighters showing no signs of slowing down. Score: Masvidal 67, Diaz 66.

Round 8

Diaz continued to back Masvidal and wear him down with flurries of punches. Masvidal circled around and countered, but Diaz kept pressing forward. The crowd cheered for Diaz as he played to them, but Masvidal responded with big shots. Score: Masvidal 77, Diaz 75.

Round 9

Masvidal’s superior shots seemed to be taking a toll on Diaz. However, Diaz kept coming forward, and both fighters exchanged punches in a back-and-forth brawl. Exhaustion was evident as they began to hang on to each other. Score: Masvidal 86, Diaz 85.

Round 10

The final round saw both fighters running on fumes but digging deep to continue exchanging combinations. They fought like they were a decade younger, with heads snapping and punches flying until the final bell. Masvidal prematurely raised his arms in victory, but the fight ended with the score even. Score: Masvidal 95, Diaz 95.

Other Notable Fights on the Card

In addition to the main event, the undercard featured several other notable bouts.

Shane Mosley Jr. def. Daniel Jacobs by Unanimous Decision

With his famous father watching, Shane Mosley Jr. dominated Daniel Jacobs, a former world champion, in a 10-round super middleweight bout. Mosley looked crisp from start to finish, and the judges agreed, scoring the fight 99-91, 99-91, 100-90. However, the crowd periodically voiced its displeasure, booing as Jacobs only faintly resembled his old self.

Chris Avila def. Anthony Pettis by Unanimous Decision

Chris Avila lumbered past Anthony Pettis, the former UFC lightweight champion, with slow but effective punches. The judges scored the fight 58-56, 59-55, 59-55 in favor of Avila. It was a sluggish affair, and the crowd rewarded the boxers with boos.

Curmel Moton def. Nikolai Buzolin by TKO

The 18-year-old Curmel Moton, mentored by Floyd Mayweather, improved to 4-0 with an impressive display of power, speed, and poise. He dismantled 36-year-old Russian Nikolai Buzolin, knocking him down at the end of the first round and prompting the referee to stop the fight in the second round.

Amado Vargas def. Sean Garcia by TKO

Amado Vargas, son of former champion boxer Fernando Vargas, relentlessly attacked Sean Garcia, the younger brother of Ryan Garcia, in a lightweight fight. The referee stopped the bout in the sixth round with Vargas on the attack and pounding Garcia’s midsection.

Devin Cushing def. Manuel Correa by Unanimous Decision

Devin Cushing improved to 14-0 in a lackluster eight-round lightweight bout against Manuel Correa. Despite the boos from the crowd, Cushing used his superior speed and footwork to prevail on the scorecards, winning 77-75, 78-74, 80-72.

Luis Lopez def. Alan Sanchez by Unanimous Decision

In a spirited fight, Luis Lopez and Alan Sanchez saved their best for last. Sanchez suffered more damage from an accidental headbutt than from Lopez’s punches, but Lopez persuaded the judges with his output, winning 77-75 on all scorecards.

Gabriel Costa def. Steve Dunn by KO

Gabriel Costa, with a deceptive record of 3-7, knocked out the previously undefeated Steve Dunn in the second round of their heavyweight bout. Costa survived powerful punches from Dunn in the opening round before delivering a barrage of punches that left Dunn unable to continue.

Kenneth Lopez def. Andres Martinez by Unanimous Decision

Kenneth Lopez improved to 10-0 with a victory over Andres Martinez in a six-round super middleweight bout. The judges scored it 59-54, 58-55, 59-54 in favor of Lopez.

Drama Outside the Ring

The fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal was not the only source of drama. Both fighters’ teams had been put on opposite sides of the Honda Center with extra security brought in due to a brawl that occurred after a press conference on June 6.

Additionally, Conor McGregor, another well-known figure in the MMA world, placed a $500,000 bet on Diaz, claiming that Diaz would easily defeat Masvidal in a boxing ring. McGregor and Diaz split a pair of bloody MMA fights in 2016, and Diaz recently expressed interest in a trilogy bout.

The Aftermath

Nate Diaz’s victory over Jorge Masvidal by majority decision was a significant moment in his career, showcasing his resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. Both fighters demonstrated their skills and determination, providing an entertaining and hard-fought battle for the fans.

Diaz’s statement about planning to return to the UFC and win another championship drew cheers and laughter from the crowd, indicating his ongoing popularity and the anticipation for his future fights. Meanwhile, Masvidal expressed his belief that he had won the fight, highlighting the competitive nature and differing perspectives in the sport of boxing.

The undercard fights also provided a mix of impressive performances and disappointments, with rising stars like Curmel Moton and seasoned fighters like Shane Mosley Jr. making their mark. The event as a whole was a testament to the excitement and unpredictability of boxing, with each bout offering its own unique storyline and outcome.

In the end, the rematch between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal lived up to the hype, delivering a memorable and action-packed night for boxing fans. Diaz’s victory adds another chapter to his storied career, while Masvidal’s performance keeps him in the conversation as a formidable competitor. As both fighters move forward, the anticipation for their next moves in the world of combat sports continues to build.