UFC veteran Nate Diaz’s unique manner of speech has long been a feature of the man’s brand. With Diaz set to face Jake Paul this August in his pro boxing debut, some fans and former foes like Jorge Masvidal have expressed concern that Diaz’s slurred speech is indicative of brain damage from absorbing too many punches.
Diaz, predictably, did not take kindly to the armchair diagnosis, expressing his ire on the Pat McAfee Show. “I don’t really be eating punches like they say.
Nate Diaz Lashes Out At Armchair “Brain Damage” Diagnosis
I bleed because of the forearms and elbows and s*** cut me up but like I said, I’ve been in a boxing gym and it might not look like it but I roll with a lot of these punches that anybody lands on me. I’m not just walking in like a meathead into punches. I’ve never been knocked out. I’ve never even really been f****** stunned stupid or nothing.
These f****** are talking about how I talk and I’ve got f****** CTE or some s***. I’m like bro, I’ve been talking this way the whole motherf****** time. It’s got nothing to do with getting hit or none of that. I’m smarter now than ever.”
Diaz left the UFC last year after a multi-decade career. Now 38 years old, he’s enjoying training more than ever. “I’m not wrestling and doing all the grappling, there’s a lot less wear and tear so I feel really good.
Boxing’s still a dangerous sport. jI’m boxing with big guys and you don’t want to get your bell rung and get hit in the head a lot. It’s different than MMA because there’s a lot of headhunting going on but there’s a lot less wear and tear on my body for sure.”
Brain damage or not, Diaz is concentrating on avoiding hits to his head. “I feel like every fight is pretty f***** up.
Somebody is attacking you with their hands and their legs or whatever. I’m always aware I could get knocked out at any time and that’s what makes me train harder than most people.
I think that I’m just conscious of that. That’s the reason why I stay conscious anyways.” Diaz was famous during his MMA career for his incredibly durability. He’s expecting the fight to get better for him the longer it goes on.
“As many [rounds] as it takes [to get a finish], but I’ll tell you the longer it goes, I’m going to make sure it’s a living hell the whole time.
I think that he’s got a long night ahead of him. I do as well but I’m not afraid of it. I’m ready to rock and roll.”
