Nate Diaz, a UFC veteran known for his gritty fighting style, recently revealed he was offered the antagonist role in the 2024 Road House remake, a part ultimately played by his rival Conor McGregor. On The HJR Podcast, Diaz explained why he turned down the role, citing his unwillingness to lose a staged fight to Jake Gyllenhaal, referencing Gyllenhaal’s role in Brokeback Mountain. The revelation adds a new layer to Diaz’s storied career and his rivalry with McGregor.
Nate Diaz, born in Stockton, California, debuted in the UFC in 2007 after winning The Ultimate Fighter 5. With a 22-13 record, he became a fan favorite for his relentless pace and submission skills, notably defeating Conor McGregor by rear-naked choke at UFC 196 in 2016, though McGregor won their rematch at UFC 202. Diaz’s last UFC fight was a 2022 submission win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279.
In 2023, Diaz left the UFC to pursue boxing, losing to Jake Paul and defeating Jorge Masvidal in 2024. While in Hollywood, he was approached for the Road House remake, a modern take on the 1989 Patrick Swayze classic, where he would play Knox, the villain opposite Gyllenhaal’s lead, a former UFC fighter turned bouncer.
Why Diaz Rejected the Role
On The HJR Podcast, Diaz shared his reasons for declining the Road House role.
“I was supposed to do Conor McGregor’s part in Road House,” he said. “That was my part, but I was like I’m not fighting, go in there and losing a fight. I’ve seen the original Roadhouse. So I’m the main bad guy? I’m supposed to fight who’s the Patrick Swayze then? And they said it was Jake Gyllenhaal, and I’m like, ‘I ain’t going to no movie and losing to no Brokeback Mountain.’ F*ck that. I’m good. I can’t do it.”
Diaz’s reference to Brokeback Mountain, Gyllenhaal’s 2005 film, was a playful jab, reflecting his reluctance to portray a villain who loses. Instead, McGregor took the role, making his acting debut as Knox, a menacing antagonist defeated by Gyllenhaal’s character in the film, released on Amazon Prime in March 2024.
McGregor’s Road House Performance
Conor McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion with a 22-6 record, embraced the Road House role as his first major acting gig. Known for his knockout wins over Jose Aldo and Eddie Alvarez, McGregor brought charisma to Knox, earning praise for his screen presence despite the character’s defeat. The film’s success boosted McGregor’s Hollywood profile, contrasting with Diaz’s decision to pass.
The Diaz-McGregor rivalry, one of the UFC’s most iconic, added context to the casting. Their 2016 and 2017 fights drew massive attention, with Diaz submitting McGregor in their first bout and McGregor winning a close decision in the rematch. Diaz’s comments suggest he didn’t want to mirror their real-life rivalry with a scripted loss.
After rejecting Road House, Diaz joined a Russian MMA reality show, ALF Reality, in May 2025, coaching alongside Jon Jones. A brawl on the first day led to his exit, but he continues to tease an MMA return, naming McGregor, Paul, Masvidal, and Leon Edwards as targets for a third UFC stint. “I 100 percent guarantee I’m going to fight Conor McGregor again,” Diaz said in a May 2025 Instagram post, hinting at a trilogy.
Diaz’s decision to skip Road House reflects his commitment to his tough-guy image, avoiding a scripted loss. As McGregor builds his acting career and Diaz eyes a UFC comeback, their rivalry remains a focal point, with Diaz’s comments keeping their story alive.
