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Report – Nate Diaz turns himself into New Orleans Police Department amid issuing of arrest warrant

Former UFC lightweight title challenger and welterweight contender, Nate Diaz, has officially turned himself in at the New Orleans Police Department this morning, as per his representative, Zach Rosenfield, after an arrest warrant was issued over the course of the weekend following his part in a Bourbon Street altercation in New Orleans. Diaz, 38, was […]

Diaz, 38, was involved in a now-viral street fight following a professional boxing event in New Orleans over the course of last weekend, with footage showing the Stockton, California native choke a man, later identified as Rodney Petersen unconscious with a front choke during an altercation.

Facing charges of second-degree battery, an official arrest warrant was issued for former UFC contender, Nate Diaz earlier this week, with the New Orleans Police Department expecting The Ultimate Fighter winner in custody.

Nate Diaz voluntarily turns himself over to New Orleans police

And as per his representative, Rosenfield, Diaz has officially turned himself over to law enforcement officers at the New Orleans Police Department this morning.

“Update on Nate Diaz:” Ariel Helwani tweeted. “”Nate voluntarily turned himself into the New Orleans Police Department this morning approximately at 7:10 AM CT. We continue to look forward to presenting all the evidence and videos that show Nate was acting in self-defense.” -Diaz’s representative, Zach Rosenfield”

Update on Nate Diaz:

“Nate voluntarily turned himself into the New Orleans Police Department this morning approximately at 7:10AM CT. We continue to look forward to presenting all the evidence and videos that show Nate was acting in self-defense.”

– Diaz’s representative, Zach…

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 27, 2023

Set to plead self-defense in relation to the altercation, Diaz was in attendance at the Misfits boxing event in the state in order to support teammate and training partner, fellow UFC veteran, Chris Avila.

Sidelined from combat sports since September of last year, Diaz most recently headlined UFC 279 in a short-notice outing against former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson – submitting the veteran with a fourth round guillotine choke.

Diaz has since been booked to make his professional boxing debut in an August middleweight fight with the 6-1 boxer, Jake Paul at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

ONE Championship set to make final offer for ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou: ‘He’s taking his time’

ONE Championship leader, Chatri Sityodtong has confirmed the Singapore-based promotion are set to hold crunch talks with former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, as the Cameroonian remains firmly within free agency following his January departure. Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the UFC banner, departed the promotion back in January of this year against […]

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the UFC banner, departed the promotion back in January of this year against the completion of his contractual obligations in December prior.

Stripped of his status as undisputed heavyweight champion, removed from the rankings officially and seeing his period of exclusive negotiating with the UFC amid his departure, waived by the organization.

Francis Ngannou linked with ONE Championship, PFL MMA moves

Yet to ink terms with a mixed martial arts outfit in order to make a return to active competition since January of last year, Batié native, Francis Ngannou has mainly been linked with both the above-mentioned, ONE Championship, and PFL MMA.

And according to Sityodtong, news of Ngannou’s future can be expected soon, as ONE Championship prepare their final offer for the Cameroonian’s signature.

“He (Francis Ngannou) has a bunch of offers on the table,” Chatri Sityodtong told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “He’s waiting for our final offer. I am going to meet Francis (Ngannou) this Saturday. He and I will sit down and talk and for sure; ONE can give him the biggest offer on the table out of all his bids, but it has to work for him, it has to work for us. I just believe that meeting somebody, you get the energy.”

“I think there’s going to be big news on Francis shortly, and I think he’s taking his time,” Sityodtong explained. “From the few interactions I’ve had with Francis, he’s very thoughtful and methodical and careful. At the same time, he’s a very principled man. That’s one thing I’ve learned about him. He’s very principled. He does things on principle. A dollar here, a dollar there won’t sway him. It’s principles. That’s what’s very admirable about him. At the same time, I do believe the world is his oyster. I do believe he’s a big pay-per-view draw in boxing or in MMA.”

Yet to feature since January of last year, Ngannou most recently headlined UFC 270 back in January of last year against former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane, securing a unanimous decision victory in the pair’s title unification clash.

Israel Adesanya issues chilling warning to Dricus du Plessis: ‘I’m going to f*cking beat him until he’s black’

Undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has pointed a stark warning in the direction of division contender, Dricus du Plessis – claiming he will beat the South African “until he’s black” as the war of words between the two continue to heat up. Adesanya, a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, headlined UFC […]

Adesanya, a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, headlined UFC 287 earlier this month, handing four-time combat sports opponent, Alex Pereira a thunderous second round knockout to reclaim his middleweight title.

As for du Plessis, the former KSW and EFC middleweight champion has been sidelined sinee March, landing a second round corner’s stoppage TKO win over common-foe, Derek Brunson.

Slated to return to the Octagon at UFC 290 in July during International Fight Week, du Plessis takes on soon-to-be common-foe, former champion, Robert Whittaker in an official middleweight championship-eliminator.

Israel Adesanya hits out at Dricus du Plessis ahead of UFC 290

Making his feelings known about his interest in fighting du Plessis in his first attempted title defense as part of his second middleweight title reign next, Adesanya fired multiple barbs in the direction of the Pethora native.

“He’s (Dricus du Plessis) created division,” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “This is not the time for that sh*t. You could have definitely got the fight without talking all that sh*t. Well, be careful what you wish for. You got what you want. He’s next. I’m going to f*cking beat him until he’s black.”

“I’m going to f*cking take him to school, in the Octagon, and on history,” Israel Adesanya explained. “What he’s doing is creating divide. You can’t not know your history – I have never questioned him as an African, because yeah, you were born in Africa. South Africa. Of course, you’re an African. I have never questioned that. But who the f*ck is this cracker to tell me who the f*ck I am? Who the f*ck Kamaru (Usman) is, who the f*ck (Francis) Ngannou is? I’m like, are you dumb? As a product of colonization, you’re trying to tell me who the f*ck I am. You can take the boy out of Africa, but you can never take Africa out of the boy.”

Joe Rogan asks WWE icon Ric Flair if he’s ‘Scared’ of Ariel Helwani after hilarious misunderstanding

WWE legend Ric Flair recently appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and the two icons shared some hilarious moments while also discussing Dana White and Ariel Helwani. While legends in their own separate industries, the two icons sat down for what was an epic podcast that just so happened to feature one of the funniest misunderstandings […]

WWE legend Ric Flair recently appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and the two icons shared some hilarious moments while also discussing Dana White and Ariel Helwani.

While legends in their own separate industries, the two icons sat down for what was an epic podcast that just so happened to feature one of the funniest misunderstandings that the Joe Rogan Experience has featured in a long time.

The clip making waves in the MMA world is a short one-minute snippet that starts off with Joe Rogan talking about his relationship with his longtime friend and UFC president Dana White. “I can call Dana at one o’clock in the morning,” Rogan began. “We’ll talk for three hours about fights. Just talk.”

Suddenly, the legend himself, Ric Flair, decides to bring up Ariel Helwani, and that’s when things take a turn for the extremely comical. “Ariel has a good job with him (Dana White), right?” Flair asked.

Ric Flair hilariously mistakes Ariel Helwani for UFC employee and former fighter on Joe Rogan’s podcast

“Ariel Helwani?” Rogan asked, doing a good job of not laughing. It was major news many years ago, but Ariel Helwani and Dana White notoriously broke bad after Helwani leaked UFC news that he was essentially supposed to keep secret.

Dana White and the UFC were extremely angry because, according to them, the UFC was going to release the news themselves, and Helwani violated their trust by choosing to break the news. Helwani was then permanently banned from attending UFC events, media days, press conferences, and basically anything UFC-run.

This is pretty much common knowledge in the industry. Helwani himself brings it up all the time and has famously said he did wonder if it was going to ruin his career, but he chose to persevere and has done extremely well for a professional journalist banned from attending UFC events.

“Ariel Helwani is independent now,” Rogan explained. “He does his own thing… He doesn’t get along with Dana… I don’t have a problem with Ariel. I like Ariel. His show is great… He was with FOX for a while. He was with ESPN for a while… I know his show is very successful.”

The conversation continues to flow before things take a hilarious turn. Flair is about to make a factual blunder that doesn’t really mean anything but is pretty funny to look back on. “I just saw him at WrestleMania,” Ric Flair said. “Ariel is pretty tough, too, right?”

“Is he? I don’t know, I don’t think he ever fought. I don’t even know if he trains,” Joe Rogan answered, kind of chuckling.

“Oh, he didn’t? Well, god. He looks like he did,” Flair responded. Joe Rogan had to chime in here and ask Flair if he was “Scared of him (Ariel Helwani),” to which ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair immediately said, “No.”

“Well, what are you trying to say?” Rogan asked as laughter broke out in the room. Ric Flair does a great job of keeping a straight face even though he had facts a little jumbled and confused. “He looks like he did (fight),” Flair said. “I thought he did fight at one time… He’s well built; he’s very well spoken too.”

The clip ends, and while the things Flair said are harmless, it is pretty funny and endearing to see a living legend like Ric Flair appear so human and get some MMA facts wrong. Humans have a knack for putting people on a pedestal, and when a living icon like ‘The Natureboy’ appears on Joe Rogan’s podcast and gets some facts wrong and looks a bit like an MMA casual, it does come across as very funny, but also extremely endearing to see that happen and realize even people’s idols are just regular humans too.

What do you think of Ric Flair’s funny blunder on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and do you think Ric Flair should be “scared of” Ariel Helwani?

Israel Adesanya calls for ‘Best MMA Fighter’ of the year award following KO over Alex Pereira

Israel Adesanya has called for the award of ‘Best MMA Fighter’ of the year ahead of this summer’s ESPN ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada – off the back of his UFC 287 knockout win over Alex Pereira earlier this month. Adesanya, now a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, managed to reclaim his […]

Adesanya, now a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, managed to reclaim his championship at UFC 287 earlier this month, stopping the above-mentioned, Pereira with a stunning second round knockout victory in Miami, Florida.

The win propelled Adesanya back to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in his middleweight tenure in mixed martial arts, having dropped the middleweight crown to Pereira at UFC 282 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden in a shocking fifth round standing TKO.

Israel Adesanya calls for summer ESPY award

Expected to make an Octagon return at a pay-per-view event in Sydney, Australia against either Robert Whittaker or Dricus du Plessis next – Adesanya has called for the ‘Best MMA Fighter’ of the year award at this summer’s ‘ESPYs’ event in ‘Sin City’.

“ESPY 2023!” Israel Adesanya tweeted, accompanied by a message exchange were he called for nomitations for Comeback of the Year, Knockout of the year, and Fighter of the Year awards to boot.”

ESPY 2023! pic.twitter.com/VADjlo1D3a

— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) April 26, 2023

During his initial reign as undisputed middleweight champion under the UFC banner, Adesanya successfully defended his title in victories over Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, and Jared Cannonier.

In his sole other professional loss, Adesanya dropped a unanimous decision loss against former light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz in an unsuccessful championship pursuit.

Furthermore, off the back of Adesanya’s title win over Pereira in the ‘Sunshine State’, Blachowicz offered to make the cut to the middleweight limit – offering Adesanya the opportunity to avenge his first career loss.

Sergei Pavlovich tipped to pose serious threat to UFC champion Jon Jones: ‘He’s mentally tough’

Off the back of his stunning UFC Vegas 71 knockout win over Curtis Blaydes last weekend, surging heavyweight contender, Sergei Pavlovich has once more been tipped to pose a legitimate challenge to heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones’ throne. Pavlovich, who moved to #2 in the official heavyweight rankings off the back of the new update this […]

Pavlovich, who moved to #2 in the official heavyweight rankings off the back of the new update this week, headlined UFC Vegas 71 over the course of the weekend against perennial division contender, Blaydes, landing a one-sided first round TKO triumph.

The victory moved the Russian to 18-1 as a professional, and extended his winning streak to six consecutive fights, following an Octagon debut knockout loss of his own against Alistair Overeem back in 2018.

Enjoying a roughshod run through top-tier heavyweight contenders over the last year, before his knockout win over Blaydes, Sergei Pavlovich, a former M-1 Global heavyweight gold holder stopped the duo of Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa – both inside the opening minute of the first round.

Sergei Pavlovich touted as legitimate threat to champion, Jon Jones

Tipped to lay in wait for his shot at heavyweight gold ahead of an expected title affair between the aforenoted, Jones, and former champion, Stipe Miocic, Pavlovich has been touted as a danger to the current champion’s new reign by boxing expert and renowned coach, Teddy Atlas.

“[Sergei Pavlovich] showed why he’s a force to be reckoned with, and showed why, for me – I’d love to see him with Jon Jones,” Teddy Atlas said on his YouTube channel. “That would be very interesting. He’s got the physical strength and the ability, and seems like he’s developed enough technique to make it interesting in the striking department with Jones. And he’s got one other thing you can recognize that I think is the most important part.”

“He’s mentally tough enough to make it interesting, where [Ciryl] Gane, quite frankly – and I’m not picking on somebody who’s down or kicking someone while they’re down – but Gane wasn’t mentally tough enough. I think he showed that when he lost to [Francis] Ngannou. Jones was good in not only the physical areas, but the mental area. That’s where is separates for me. Pavlovich, I think he would be strong enough mentally, to make it competitive with Jones.” (Transcribed by MMA News)