Former UFC star Nate Diaz has found himself in hot water with the law after a street brawl incident in New Orleans over the weekend. An arrest warrant has been issued for Diaz on suspicion of second-degree battery in the wake of the Bourbon Street melee (MMA Fighting). His representatives have issued a statement saying that he acted entirely in self-defense during the altercation (MMA Weekly). Diaz allegedly put YouTube personality Rodney Peterson in a chokehold during the fight, which was captured on video and circulated on social media (Fox News).
Despite the legal trouble, Diaz’s upcoming boxing match against social media star Jake Paul is set to move forward as planned (Boxing Scene). UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has chimed in on the situation, telling Diaz to stay away from physical altercations ahead of his debut (MMA News).
Diaz’s lawyer has claimed that the alleged chokehold he used during the brawl was indeed self-defense and that his client should not face charges (Fox 8). Nonetheless, the charges of second-degree battery still stand, and Diaz is currently a wanted man by the NOPD (WDSU).
It remains to be seen how this legal trouble will affect Diaz’s future plans and career prospects. The incident is just the latest in a string of controversies to plague the outspoken fighter, who has never shied away from speaking his mind both inside and outside the Octagon.
