Nate Diaz has been told he's "out of his mind" just days before he competes in the final fight of his UFC career.
Diaz, 37, competes in his final contracted fight for the promotion this Saturday at UFC 279 when he faces soaring welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev. The fan-favourite is without a win in over three years and many fans have accused the UFC of "sacrificing" Diaz in his swansong for the promotion, with the bookies installing Chimaev as the huge betting favourite.
Chimaev has promised to turn the fight into Diaz's "funeral", with the 37-year-old insisting he doesn't want to face 'Borz' and that he hasn't been training for the fight. Former UFC champion turned analyst Michael Bisping addressed comments made by Diaz and said the Stockton-native is "out of his mind".
"[Diaz] said he knows what's going on. He said, 'The UFC are trying to hang me out to dry, they're trying to get me stitched up, they're trying to get me knocked out. But I'm already the best fighter.' He's out of his mind, okay," Bisping said on his YouTube channel. "The reality is, I don't think it goes to a decision, I do think Khamzat Chimaev gets the job done.
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"But can you imagine if Nate Diaz was to pull off the unthinkable? We're dealing with human being here, it's not crazy. The bookies are all saying that Khamzat wins and I agree with that. I would be putting all my money on Khamzat to win, but to say there is no avenue for Diaz to win is just insulting to him and quite frankly, it's ignorant to combat sports."
Diaz has already started his own MMA promotion as he gears up for his UFC exit after facing Chimaev. UFC boss White has revealed Diaz could remain in the UFC if he beats Chimaev and they offer him a welterweight title shot. Bisping thinks the only way Diaz can upset the odds if the fight reaches the later rounds and Chimaev gets tired.
"A five-round fight is the only way that Nate Diaz has any shot have being successful in this fight. He's not as strong, explosive, he can't compete. He doesn't necessarily have the one-punch knockout fighter either, Khamzat clearly does. As it gets to the later rounds, Khamzat can slow down and get tired," Bisping added.
There is a possibility that Khamzat goes out there and takes Nate on in round one. I don't think that happens, Diaz is tougher than a motherf*****. He is very hard to finish, but it could happen though. If Khamzat gets tired by round three, he's going to be even more tired in round four and come the fifth, he could be f***ed."
