Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal battle it out at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Saturday, July 6. At the fifth pre-fight press conference held in the city-host today (June 6), the old MMA rivals previewed their bout, but didn’t come face to face. The contest is scheduled for 10 rounds at light heavyweight.
Diaz and Masvidal first met in November 2019 in New York. The scheduled for five rounds clash for the “BMF” belt headlined UFC 244. Masvidal took the victory by TKO in the third round after doctor stopped the bout due to cut over his Diaz’s right eye.
“I came here to whoop a** and do my thing. I hope y’all watch,” Nate Diaz said. “I feel like I’m sick of this (stuff). I’m ready to fight. I’m ready for the show to go on. He better hope he gets the knockout. If not, he’s getting (messed) up.”
“I’m ready to get in there July 6, take care of business, knock this (guy) out and go chill with my family,” Jorge Masvidal said. “Let’s get to it!”
“At the end of the day, all that matters is that I’m in shape and like I said earlier, it’s not going to the judges. And not because of a cut, or nothing, but because of a clean KO. That’s what I’m training for.”
“I’ve gotten more time to hone in on the craft, sharper at boxing, every day work on getting a little bit better, craftier and more efficient. All that just means more violence come July 6. On July 4, come celebrate the United States’ birthday and on July 6 come see me end him.
“I’m meaner. I’m faster. I’m more explosive. And when it comes down to it, I think I’ve got the best hands in MMA. On July 6, I get to prove that. No questions, no nothing. We’re going to find out. There’s none of that jiu-jitsu (stuff), none of that hugging, it’s just straight hands.”
In Diaz vs Masvidal 2 undercard action
The press conference, that ended in a brawl, also saw other fighters featured on the card.
Former two-time middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs (37-4, 30 KOs) of Brooklyn, NY faces Shane Mosley Jr (21-4, 12 KOs) of Pomona, CA. The pair squares off in the co-main event scheduled for 10 rounds at super middleweight.
“I’m just happy to be a part of this card with so many champions, so many up-and-coming future stars,” Daniel Jacobs said. “It’s an honor and a privilege and come fight night you guys are going to see why this is such a big card.
“I’m fighting the likes of Shane Mosley Jr. who’s an up-and-coming guy that’s very talented. I look forward to showing you guys, with all of the experience that I have, why I’m called the ‘Miracle Man’. I’ve been off for two years and now I’ve taken the time to get my mind, body and spirit intact. You guys are going to see the effects on fight night. I appreciate all the love, but you guys are going to see the return of the ‘Miracle Man’.
“I knew I wanted to finish my career with a bang. So this is representing the next step in me getting that Hall of Fame plaque.
“I’ve been a fan of Shane Mosely Sr. for my entire career. I’ve seen his son fight, but when you talk about levels and you talk about what it is that I bring to the table, obviously I see myself being the victor in whatever way or fashion that victory comes. It’ll be an honor to step into the ring with the son of a legend, but it’ll stop there because he’s not his dad.
“I know exactly what I’ve been doing and what works. I know what my team has been cultivating… I just want to say that I’m looking forward to July 6 and the West Coast is in for a treat for sure!”
“Like everybody has been saying, this is going to be an incredible card and an incredible night,” Shane Mosley Jr said. “Please don’t miss it. I’m blessed to be on this card fighting a legend. This man is a two-time middleweight champion. Most people can’t become a champion and he became champion twice. I’m excited to be a part of this event.
“This is by far the best fighter that I’ve been in the ring with. Nothing but respect. I have to raise my game. I have to be better. And to become better you have to put yourself in situations like this. Adversity shows the man to himself, so that’s what I’m doing, and this is my chance.
“Whatever happens, I’m going to become better because of it. And my goal is to become a legend as well. So I need to get in there with another legend if that’s my pursuit. So when they said you can fight Daniel Jacobs, I said, ‘Wow, yes! Absolutely, of course.'”
As well, Stockton’s Chris Avila (boxing 5-1, MMA 8-9) takes on former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (boxing 1-0, MMA 25-14) of Milwaukee, WI. The bout is scheduled for six rounds at light heavyweight.
“I’m out here doing my thing right now,” Chris Avila said. “I’m planning on keeping the streak rolling and keep whooping a**. I’m training hard and I’m here to represent and get my hand raised.
“I know he’s game, but I’m game too. I box for real and I’ve been boxing for a while. So I train for real and I train in boxing. I plan on knocking this fool out, too.”
“This is a big opportunity on this card with all these guys, some of the legends I grew up fighting with,” Anthony Pettis said. “California, I know you guys are out here supporting us. Chris, I appreciate you taking this fight and we’re going to have a good fight.
“I’ve been sparring some of the best boxers in the world to get ready for the championship MMA fights I’ve had, and it shows. In my first fight, I fought Roy Jones Jr., so I couldn’t just go out there and knock him out. He’s a much bigger guy than me. Avila is more my size, so I can go out there and knock him out, and that’s what we’re training for.
“I think that extra month just added motivation. Both of us are ready to go. We were ready to go last weekend. So this extra month just adds that motivation to get the knockout on both ends. So look for a good fight from both of us.”
Plus, Devin Cushing (13-0, 10 KOs) of Pensacola, Florida meets Miami-based Manuel Correa (13-1, 8 KOs) of Cuba. The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds at lightweight.
“I’m ready to put on a show,” Devin Cushing said. “I’m going to kick his a** on July 6. All that running your mouth, you ain’t going to do nothing. I know everybody don’t know my name, but come July 6 I promise y’all won’t forget it. Devin Cushing, remember it, because I’m coming to steal the show.
“Three piece and a soda, that’s what he’s getting. I’m going to bust his a** up. I’m going to beat him up. I’m going to drown him. I’m going to knock him smooth out.”
“This is a huge opportunity for me,” Manuel Correa said. “I’m ready to stand up and do what I do for my hometown. I hear him talking a lot of crazy, but you have to stand on that. You have to show us. We’re going to see. He hasn’t fought anybody yet. He fought a bunch of bums and he’s feeling himself. But you’ve seen who I fought. I fought Olympians with less than 10 fights on my record. So I’m not scared to fight anybody. I’ve been that way my whole life, and now he’s going to find out the hard way.
“It was all good back there. He was being friendly and then he came out here trying to act in front of the cameras. You know how they play, but we’re going to show him.
“Fans can expect fireworks. I’m always coming forward. If you look at any of my fights, I’m pressing the action no matter what. Win or lose, I’m coming forward.”
In addition, Amado Vargas (10-0, 4 KOs) of Oxnard, California goes up against Sean Garcia (7-0-1, 2 KOs) of Victorville, California. The matchup is scheduled for eight rounds at lightweight.
“I’ve been training my a** off,” Amado Vargas said. “My dad has been putting me through rigorous training, and I can’t wait. You guys are going to see the improvement from the beginning of my career to where I’m at now and I can’t wait. Watch July 6 on Fanmio PPV. Let’s go!
“I’m a competitor. He’s a competitor. He’s looking to win. I’m looking to win. At the end of the day, there can only be one winner and that’s going to be me. I’ve been training really hard and I’m confident in the training that I’m putting in. Like I said, you’re going to see a different me, more skillful, more on-point. I just can’t wait. My pops has been getting me great sparring and I’m ready for this fight.
“Any man that puts on a pair of boxing gloves has a chance. So I’m preparing like I’m going to fight Mike Tyson. At the end of the day, I’ve got to be well prepared. My father and my team are making sure of that. On July 6, I’m going to put on a hell of a performance. Thank you to the fans and to everybody that’s here. Watch me go 11-0!”
The event airs live on Fanmio PPV.
