Nate Diaz has always been one of the biggest names in the MMA sphere. Although he was arguably never an elite fighter, Diaz’s name was seemingly enough to sell fights. However, following recent events, it appears as though Diaz’s fame did not coincide with his earnings.
Recently, it was revealed that Nevada-based Zuffa, which does business as the UFC, abused its power in the past to suppress fighter wages, which violates the U.S. antitrust law. As a result, numerous exhibits, including payouts and emails regarding fighter pay, have been leaked. Previously, fans saw Chael Sonnen’s payouts leaked via the ‘Internal Zuffa Bout Compensation’ as well.
Everything Nate Diaz has done in opposition to the UFC has and will always be justified pic.twitter.com/2RL5oohrRA
— Kairos (@KAIROSMMA2) December 2, 2023
In the leaked emails doing the rounds, one could truly see the UFC’s brutal and shrewd business tactics. As such, emails regarding the discussion about Nate Diaz’s contract have been doing the rounds on social media. Notably, an email from former UFC matchmaker Joe Silva reads, “I lowballed them on purpose the first offer knowing they would turn it down. How about I come back with 29 +29, 32+32, 35+35, 38+38”.
Further, the email continues, “If they turn it down, I put him (Nate) in a prelim against a really tough guy for his last fight”. Notably, these discussions took place in April 2010, following Nate’s win over Rory Markham at UFC 111. Moreover, the conversations took place between the aforementioned Silva, and Lorenzo Fertitta and also involved UFC President Dana White.
Nate Diaz’s real UFC payouts leaked
In the email chain, Joe Silva and Lorenzo also considered letting Strikeforce take Diaz off their hands. Interestingly, Diaz’s trainer Cesar Gracie is also in an email, seen trying to negotiate a much higher deal than what was being offered to ‘The Stockton Slugger‘.
At the same time, Silva and Lorenzo stated that Nate Diaz had reportedly secured $250,000 in his previous eight fights. Thus, it is clear that they intended to use it as leverage, believing no other promotion would pay Nate such an amount in bonuses. Whilst it may be seen as smart business work, it has now resulted in hundreds of fighters suing the promotion.
Nate Diaz was still on a $20,000/$20,000 contract going into his 21st UFC fight
Note: For this RDA fight he had a letter of agreement that paid an additional $40,000 pic.twitter.com/Zrb0D4b55M
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) November 27, 2023
Recently, in ‘Internal Zuffa Bout Compensation,’ some of Diaz’s payouts were also revealed. As such, some of Nate’s payouts read $125,000 or $180,000 vs. Gray Maynard and $56,000 vs. Rafael dos Anjos. Notably, Nate took home career-high paydays of $2,838,158 vs. Conor McGregor (UFC 196) and $4,315,490 vs. Conor McGregor at UFC 202 (disclosed purse: $2,050,000, 2M+50K bonus).
Seeing that Diaz was still on $20K+ $20K for his 21st fight against RDA has gone down well with fans. Thus, many have started realizing why Nate wanted out of the UFC. In hindsight, his decision to pursue boxing also seems like a valid one. With the lawsuit still ongoing, many will be keenly awaiting more such hard-hitting details about fighter pay.