Midnight Mania! Rogan Knows Why We Love Nate Diaz

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Neither of the Diaz brothers have fought in years. Nate Diaz last stepped into the Octagon in a rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 202. The younger Diaz earned millions of dollars over the course of two fights with the Irisman for the first time in his career, and promptly absconded from the sport for a variety of reasons, including the unwillingness of the UFC to meet his pay demands, Conor McGregor’s absence that kept Diaz from fighting the one draw big enough to give him that payday, and a variety of legal troubles that kept him on the sidelines. He nearly returned in 2018 opposite Dustin Poirier, but Poirier had to withdraw from a fight for the first time in his career, and the disgruntled Diaz withdrew again. Nick Diaz was supposed to fight Jorge Masvidal, but the bout fell through amidst increasingly erratic behavior from the elder Diaz.

Yet, despite the fact that we haven’t seen either brother inside the Octagon for well over two years, their popularity endures. Joe Rogan had some ideas on the lasting appeal of the famous duo, and believes the UFC underestimates their fanbase. Via BJPenn.com:

“Cause he doesn’t give a f**k,” Rogan said. “He legitimately doesn’t give a f**k. He smokes weed all the time. People love it. They love the fact that those guys are like that.

He went on to remind us that McGregor opposite Diaz at UFC 202 did bigger numbers than McGregor fighting Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title a few months later, establishing that Diaz has an appeal all his own, apart from Conor McGregor.

One of the reasons why Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor was so big is because people love Nate Diaz too,” Rogan explained. “It’s not just Conor McGregor. No disrespect to Eddie Alvarez, but when Conor McGregor fought Eddie Alvarez, the vast majority of the eyes were on Conor McGregor. When Conor McGregor fights Nate Diaz, you’re looking at a lot of people who love Nate Diaz.

I think those guys are superstars, I think the UFC doesn’t know.”

Will 2019 feature the return of Nate Diaz? The potential for a trilogy closer with McGregor lingers, but is their rivalry wearing out its shelf life? Rogan is right that the UFC seems unwilling or unable to promote Nate Diaz as an independent draw, perhaps because of exactly the ‘don’t give a f***’ attitude that makes him so appealing as a character to fans.

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Insomnia

Demetrious Johnson got some of the more random fan art I’ve ever seen

Anthony Smith says he will be a champion or die trying

Israel Adesanya doing wrestling practice

I’ve never seen this- what an amazing moment. Takanori Gomi gave us some incredible MMA moments

Funny if true

Elbow battle!

Watch the referee

Great fight

This is why a 165-lb. division is the only one that makes sense to add.

Amazing moment.

Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade is likely the co-main event for UFC 237; the most sense would be to have Amanda Nunes defend against Cyborg, Ketlen Vieira, or the winner of Holm-Ladd

This fight was truly insane.

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Quick Hits

• Mackenzie Dern and other fighters who insist at fighting at weight they can’t make, baffle and infuriate me. They should all be forced to fight up a weight class and never be allowed to return. Looking at you, Kelvin Gastelum, Charles Oliveira, and Michel Prazeres!
• Dominick Reyes thinks he’s the guy to beat Jon Jones, and I agree.
• Karim Zidan gave fascinating insight into the threats potentially facing Khabib Nurmagomedov amidst a world of hardline Muslim extremists, dangerous dictators and Russian crooks.

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Random Land

Who among us doesn’t like fluffballs?

High drama in Antarctica

Sleep well, Maniacs! A better tomorrow is always possible. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @Vorpality