Jon Jones is not buying into the long standing image often attached to Nate Diaz.
After spending extended time together while coaching on an international reality fighting series, the former UFC heavyweight champion came away with a very different impression of the Stockton veteran. According to Jones, the reputation Diaz carries in the public eye does not line up with the person he interacted with behind the scenes.
Their time working together came during a coaching role on a Russian based mixed martial arts program, where both fighters were brought in to mentor rising prospects and provide star power. While the show itself became known for a chaotic incident involving a locker room confrontation, Jones says that experience only reinforced his view of Diaz as a professional rather than a troublemaker.
Jon Jones Pushes Back On The “Gangster” Narrative
Speaking openly during a recent interview, Jones addressed the label often attached to Diaz and made it clear he disagrees with it entirely.
“Nate is not a gangster,” said Jones. “Nate Diaz is a professional athlete. I think he’s a father. He’s a coach. He’s a business owner. He’s an entrepreneur. He’s a leader.
“Yeah he smokes weed and he may give you a middle finger, but the guys far from gangster and he’s a really great guy.”
“Nate’s a professional athlete, a father, a leader, he’s a really nice guy”
Jon Jones gives his thought on Nate Diaz and the controversy surrounding his exit from ALF Global.
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— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) December 13, 2025
Jones emphasized that Diaz’s outspoken personality and unapologetic attitude often get mistaken for something more negative. From his perspective, Diaz carries himself with authenticity rather than aggression, and that distinction matters.
The former heavyweight champion also noted that Diaz’s influence extends well beyond fighting, pointing to his role as a mentor and example within his community. Jones suggested that people who only see Diaz through highlight clips or viral moments miss the full picture.
Jones has openly stated that he wants to be part of White House card in June 2026, viewing it as a once in a lifetime moment for the sport. However, despite the event being confirmed, UFC CEO Dana White has made it clear that no fight plans involving Jones have been finalized. At this point, there is no opponent announced and no clarity on whether Jones will ultimately compete on that stage.
Diaz last competed in 2024, earning a boxing victory over Jorge Masvidal to split their rivalry across combat sports. Since then, Diaz has continued to push for a return to the UFC to close out his career, though no agreement has been reached. He has publicly mentioned Paddy Pimblett as a potential comeback opponent, seeing the matchup as both competitive and commercially appealing. As things stand, that fight does not appear to be close, with Pimblett focused on his own path and upcoming commitments.
