Nate Diaz, a UFC veteran, left the Russian reality show ALF Global in Phuket, Thailand, in May 2025 after a brawl erupted on the first day of filming. In a YouTube video shared on his channel, Diaz explained his departure, citing conflict with Russian fighters and crew, while Jon Jones described the incident’s quick escalation.
Born April 16, 1985, in Stockton, California, Nate Diaz competed in the UFC from 2007 to 2022, earning a 21-13 record. Known for his jiu-jitsu, he won The Ultimate Fighter 5 and defeated Conor McGregor via submission at UFC 196 in 2016. His final UFC fight was a submission win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022.
After leaving the UFC, Diaz boxed Jake Paul in August 2023, losing by decision, and won a majority decision against Jorge Masvidal in July 2024. His ALF Global role aimed to showcase his coaching alongside Jon Jones.
ALF Global, a Russian reality show similar to The Ultimate Fighter, paired Diaz and Jones as opposing coaches. On the first day, Russian fighter Zalimkhan Yusupov provoked Diaz, taunting, “I’m a Russian gangster, it would be a good fight, yes?” before shoving him.
Diaz slapped Yusupov, sparking a melee involving his team, including Jake Shields, and the crew. Jones told Red Corner MMA, “Play fighting with Nate was not the best idea. It became serious right away and we had to replace Nate.”
Diaz’s YouTube Explanation
In his YouTube video, Diaz expressed disappointment, stating:
“I’m out here in Phuket, Thailand. Came out here to do a little reality show with Jon Jones. I was looking forward to hanging out with Jones, the team and everybody.” He added, “It didn’t work out because they the ops. We ain’t fcking with any of them Russians. But anyways, they ain’t fcking with me. So that’s what it is.”
Diaz’s term “ops” (opponents) reflects his view of the Russian fighters and crew as adversaries, possibly tied to past tensions with Russian MMA figures like Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The brawl escalated as Yusupov’s actions drew in other fighters and crew, who reportedly attacked Diaz’s team, per Shields’ YouTube video. Shields said, “When you have potentially the crew hitting you too, it’s like, ‘No, f*** that,’” justifying their decision to leave.
Feeling unsafe, Diaz and his team returned to California. The show’s production status and Diaz’s replacement remain unclear.
Jones’ Perspective
Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion with a 27-1 record, continued coaching. He told Red Corner MMA that Diaz arrived tense, possibly due to prior conflicts with Russian fighters, and Yusupov’s provocation misfired.
Jones, uninvolved in the brawl, described it as unprecedented in his career, per Yahoo Sports, emphasizing its chaotic impact.
Diaz has a record of scuffles, including a 2010 Strikeforce brawl, a 2015 slap of Nurmagomedov, and a 2022 backstage clash with Khamzat Chimaev. A 2024 brawl before his Masvidal boxing match involved his team.
Shields reported Russian fighters followed Diaz’s crew on motorcycles post-brawl, raising safety concerns that prompted their exit.
The brawl disrupted a high-profile ALF Global season featuring two MMA stars. Diaz’s departure, confirmed by MMA Fighting, leaves the show’s continuation in question, with no updates on replacements.
The incident highlights the challenges of reality TV in combat sports, amplified by Diaz’s unapologetic stance,
