Diaz blames long layoff after TKO loss to Perry, calls for rematch

Nate Diaz suffered a second-round TKO loss to Mike Perry on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card, with his corner stopping the fight after Diaz sustained several deep cuts to his head that left blood obscuring his vision. It was Diaz’s first MMA bout since 2021, with only a boxing appearance in 2024 bridging the gap.

In a statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Diaz pointed to that prolonged inactivity as the decisive factor in the defeat. “I didn’t like my lack of activity because of lack of opponents,” he wrote. “I know it was easier to get up to fight me for this fight but now I believe it will be easier to fight him. But all good shoutout to Mike on the win and getting me off my ass. Time to kill now. I got something to do.”

Diaz had opted for the Perry fight over a UFC return that would have set up a trilogy bout with Conor McGregor. McGregor is now scheduled to face Max Holloway at UFC 329 in July, leaving Diaz outside the promotion he made his name in.

In the immediate aftermath of the stoppage, Diaz did not contest the referee’s decision, acknowledging that the blood in his eyes had significantly hampered him. He also called for a rematch with Perry before leaving the arena. Most Valuable Promotions co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian subsequently indicated they were open to booking the pair again on a future MVP MMA card.

No rematch has been formally announced, but Diaz’s latest statement suggests he has no intention of stepping away from competition. Whether Perry and his team agree to run it back remains to be seen.