Nate Diaz is, indeed, a credit to the community.
The 209 is moving up in the world. At least if Diaz—arguably the area code’s most famous current resident—has anything to say about it.
Fresh off his career-defining submission win over Irish superstar Conor McGregor, the Stockton, California, native has received special recognition from the state government, TMZ reported Wednesday.
Specifically, California Assemblymember Jim Cooper represents Lodi, California, which houses the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu facility that serves as home training camp to Nate and older brother Nick Diaz.
In part, the resolution lauds Diaz because he “pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history by submitting [McGregor] during the main event welterweight fight at UFC 196.”
Odds Shark had Diaz as a 3-1 underdog to defeat McGregor, which is substantial though perhaps not the biggest underdog margin in history. Matt Serra, for example, overcame 33-10 odds in defeating then-welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre at UFC 83. But hey, who’s actually counting here?
The resolution also hails Diaz for “utilizing his talents and leadership to give back to his local community,” including by teaching jiu-jitsu to children and adults at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Both Diaz brothers also are well known for participating in triathlons and mountain biking in and around the area as well as just generally engaging with the public in Stockton and Lodi.
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) March 31, 2016
The 31-year-old Diaz (19-10) has now won three of his last four contests, culminating in his defeat of McGregor. The two had been expected to run it back at July’s UFC 200 megacard, but disputes between McGregor and UFC brass have apparently scuttled a rematch for now.
During a news conference (Warning: NSFW language) in the run-up to UFC 196, McGregor taunted Diaz by saying: “He’s like a little cholo gangster from the hood but at the same time he coaches kids jiu-jitsu on a Sunday morning and goes on bike rides with the elderly.” McGregor also told Diaz: “You’re a credit to your community.”
Looks like there was plenty of truth in that particular insult in the eyes of California lawmakers.
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