Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren recently shared a candid take on Nate Diaz, arguing that Diaz’s reputation doesn’t fully match his performance inside the cage. During a conversation on Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel, Askren directly addressed Diaz’s public image versus his fight record.
“Nate Diaz, he’s the most puzzling,” Askren said. “I don’t even think he’s that good, but he has convinced people he’s good at fighting somehow, some way.”
Diaz’s Record Under Scrutiny
Askren highlighted Diaz’s professional record, pointing out that the numbers tell a story different from his popularity or fan support.
“Look at his damn record. He was average. His record is 21-13. That’s not that great. Within the UFC, he was 16-12.”
Even aware of the backlash his comments might provoke, Askren acknowledged Diaz’s loyal following.
“Please don’t post this clip because the Diaz Army will attack me. His fans are rabid.”
Cormier Weighs In
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier initially defended Diaz, noting his star power and prime performances in the mid-to-late 2010s. Yet, after reviewing Diaz’s career numbers, Cormier conceded Askren’s point.
“That (UFC record is) not good,” Cormier said. “There’s really no way to twist that into good.”
Diaz, now 40, wrapped up his UFC career in September with a submission win over Tony Ferguson. He has since stepped into the boxing ring, posting a 1-1 record with a loss to Jake Paul and a victory over Jorge Masvidal.
