Boxing News: Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2 Official, But Not Under UFC Banner

The two fighters previously headlined UFC 244 in 2019.

Former UFC title challengers Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal are set to run things back inside the boxing ring.

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Justin Gaethje will defend his BMF title opposite Max Holloway next month at UFC 300, but it was Masvidal who first claimed the inaugural BMF belt when he defeated Diaz via third-round doctor’s stoppage in the main event of UFC 244.

“Gamebred” announced his retirement following a loss to Gilbert Burns nearly a year ago while Diaz exited the UFC following a victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279, and now Ariel Helwani reports that the two men have agreed to meet in a 175-pound boxing match at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA on June 1.

BREAKING:

Nathan Diaz x Jorge Masvidal 2 is a done deal.

They’ll meet on June 1 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA, in a 10-round 175-pound light heavyweight boxing match, per both camps.

The event will be presented by Fanmio PPV, who also promoted Mayweather x Paul in 2021.… pic.twitter.com/Z6fXUvYWxv

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 13, 2024

The matchup will see Diaz enter the boxing ring for the second time after he dropped a unanimous decision to Jake Paul last year, and while Masvidal has found recent success as a boxing and bareknuckle MMA promotor this will be the 38-year-old’s boxing debut and first action since announcing his retirement.

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Diaz was quick to confirm the news on his own social media following Helwani’s announcement, and a rematch with Masvidal certainly seems like a better idea than the other boxing matches he suggested earlier this week.

Anthony Joshua
Deontay wilder
Tyson fury

I’ll whoop all your asses
Just so u know. 👊🏼

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 11, 2024

The PPV event on June 10 will include an already-sizeable price tag of $49.99 before it goes up to $79.99 after April 12, and presumably some other bouts that include at least a few notable names will be added to help sell a rematch more than four years in the making.

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