It took almost five years for the rematch.
It was worth the wait – especially for fans of Nate Diaz.
Diaz beat rival Jorge Masvidal by majority decision Saturday night in the 10-round light heavyweight fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The judges scored it 95-95, 97-93, 98-92.
“It feels good to get the job done for sure,’’ Diaz said. “Mission accomplished.”
The 39-year-old fighters pummeled each other through the fight and maintained an impressive pace.
“I thought I won,’’ Masvidal said. “I thought I hit the harder shots. He did land more volume. But I definitely thought I landed the way, way better shots.’’
The two former UFC stars faced off more than 4 ½ years after Diaz and Masvidal fought for the inaugural BMF belt in the Octagon. Masvidal won the fight when it was stopped because Diaz had a deep cut below his left eye.
Round-by-round analysis for the Diaz-Masvidal fight and undercard.
Jake Paul fires back at Nate Diaz
Didn’t take long before Jake Paul responded through his X account after Nate Diaz said he planned to beat Paul’s, uh, backside.
In colorful language, Paul wrote that Diaz “ducked” a $15 million offer for an MMA match via the Professional Fighters League (PFL)
What’s next for Nate Diaz?
Nate Diaz announced his plans in inimitable style.
“I’m going to beat Jake Paul’s (expletive) (expletive),’’ he said.
Within earshot of children, that can be rephrased as: Diaz intends to avenge his defeat to Paul.
Diaz, in his pro boxing debut, lost to Paul by unanimous decision in a 10-round light heavyweight bout. He apparently has stewed over the outcome of the bout that took place in Aug. 5, 2023 in Dallas.
His statement drew cheers and laughter from the crowd. And the fans cheered just as loud when Diaz said he intended to return to the UFC and win another championship.
Nate Diaz def. Jorge Masvidal by majority decision
Round 1: Diaz swinging early, but Masvidal quickly turns the aggressor. Diaz has Masvidal backed into a corner, but he easily slips out. A languid pace now. Diaz slowly shadowing his rival. But Diaz looking like he did against Jake Paul. Nothing powerful about the punches yet. But he has Masvidal in the corner and on the ropes and remains the more active fighter. He shakes his head after a Masvidal punch lands. Diaz 10, Masvidal 9.
Round 2: Masvidal looks like the more technically sound boxer. And now he’s asserting himself. Lands a couple of blows early. Diaz’s plodding movement seems to have Masvidal a little off balance. Now Diaz stalking, and Masvidal makes him pay with a hard right. And he connects with another hard right. Masvidal suddenly on his game here. Diaz 19, Masvidal 19.
Round 3: Diaz charges out and backs Masvidal into a corner. Then Masvidal turns the tables and snaps back Diaz’s head with right hands. Masvidal showing much more speed and appears to be solving Diaz’s style. Diaz backs Masvidal into the corner again and lands a couple of blows. But Masvidal continues to counter. Spirited exchanges here. Masvidal 29, Diaz 28.
Round 4: Diaz’s punches don’t look ferocious. But Masvidal showing respect when Diaz throws them. But his own punches or crisper and quicker to hit the target. Diaz working the body now. Masvidal unloading on Diaz, but back comes the Stockton kid. We have a brawl brewing here! Diaz just relentlessly walking down Masvidal. But Masvidal firing back. Bell rings. Diaz thrusts arms into the air. Masvidal 38, Diaz 38.
Round 5: Not saving anything for the late rounds here. The bells rings and these two fighter are ready to fire. What Diaz lacks in quickness and speed, he makes up for relentlessness. But now Masvidal pounces. Diaz winds up a little like Sugar Ray Leonard used to. All show. But he gets Masvidal back into the corner again and batters his rival before Masvidal circles around and fires his own punches. Masvidal 48, Diaz 47.
Round 6: Diaz relishing the role of aggressor. Masvidal welcomes it, perhaps because he’s proved to be an effective counterpuncher. Those Diaz punches appear to be doing damage as he eats several in the corner. Masvidal fighting back but it’s not long before Diaz moves forward again. Masvidal with a left and another left. Fierce fight. Masvidal 58, Diaz 56.
Round 7: Masvidal has thrown some wicked punches. None of them dissuade Diaz from stalking as soon as the round begins. Before we forget, this is a very different Nate Diaz from the one who fought Jake Paul. He looks far more prepared and invested. Just endless exchanges. Masvidal 67, Diaz 66.
Round 8: More of the same: Diaz backing Masvidal and wearing him down with a flurry before Masvidal circles around and counters. Both wearing out the leather on those gloves. Diaz playing to the crowd. Crowd cheers. But Masvidal gives the crowd reason to groan with a couple of big shots. Masvidal 77, Diaz 75.
Round 9: Masvidal’s shots clearly superior to Diaz’s. And now they may be taking a toll on Diaz. Of course, Diaz does Diaz: He keeps on coming. Both cracking each other. A back-alley brawl here. Now they’re hanging on to each other. Who can blame them? Exhaustion. Masvidal 86, Diaz 85.
Round 10: Running on fumes, Diaz and Masvidal dig deep as the final round commences. An exchange of combinations. Heads snap and shake. These guys are 39 and fighting like they’re a decade younger. Masvidal raises his arms into the air. Could be premature as the punches fly – and continue to fly until the final bell. Masvidal 95, Diaz 95.
BE REAL
So reads the white lettering on the black hoodie Diaz wore during his ring parade. And he is in the ring.
Jorge Masvidal greeted by boos
Yes, this crowd is largely pulling for a (Northern) California kid, Nate Diaz. And they make that clear by booing Masvidal during his ring walk. He grins. Now up go the cheers. Here comes Nate.
Shane Mosley Jr. def. Daniel Jacobs by unanimous decision
With his famous father watching, Mosley dominated Jacobs, a former world champion, in a 10-round super middleweight bout.
Mosley looked crisp from start to finish in the co-main event, and the judges agreed. They scored the fight 99-91, 99-91, 100-90.
But the crowd periodically voiced its displeasure, booing with the 37-year-old Jacobs only faintly resembling his old self: the boxer who held the WBA middleweight title from 2014 to 2017 and the IBF middleweight title in 2018 and 2019.
But Mosley could not finish off Jacobs.
“I know, the main event is about violence, but I’m about winning,’’ he said.
Mosley, 33, improved to 22-4. Jacobs fell to 37-5.
Daniel Jacobs vs. Shane Mosley Jr. scheduled for 10 rounds
Round 1: Mosley aggressive early in this super middleweight fight. Backing Jacobs into a corner and against the ropes. No devastating punches yet. Jacobs mostly inactive. Jacobs finally coming to life, connects with a right. Mosley 10, Jacobs 9.
Round 2: Mosley comes out stalking again. But Jacobs finds an opening. Back comes Mosley, who looks determined to win these rounds. A couple of swings and misses from Jacobs. Mosley 20, Jacobs 18.
Round 3: Wait, is this THE Daniel Jacobs? There’s a faint resemblance, only the old one threw punches – and with accuracy. Jacobs FINALLY comes to life, with a late flurry. Mosley 30, Jacobs 27.
Round 4: Jacobs in a corner and on the ropes again. Drawn there as if by magnet. Solid right from Mosley, but the crowd wants more. Boos. Mosley staying active with both hands. Jacobs lands again at the end of the round. Mosley 40, Jacobs 36.
Round 5: Mosley and his punches still look crisp. Jacobs dangerous but wild. More boos. Will laryngitis set in? Mosley 50, Jacobs 45.
Round 6: Mosley fires quick and remains the aggressor. But he has not exhibited the ability to apply massive pressure and even attempt to take out Jacobs. That accounts for the crowd’s frustration. No fireworks. Mosley 60, Jacobs 54.
Round 7: Jacobs lands a few punches early, but not showing much confidence or authority – especially for a former champion. Mosley scores on a couple punches as the round ends. Mosley 70, Jacobs 63.
Round 8: Mosley throwing with more power. Finally looking for the KO? Crowd cheering one moment, booing the next. Oh, no. Jacobs has a nasty cut on the corner of his left eye. The ref brings him to a corner. Ring physician takes a look and the fight resumes. Mosley tagging Jacobs with ease now. Mosley 80, Jacobs 72.
Round 9: No sign of blood in Jacobs’ left eye. No sign of fire in his belly. Mosley still the aggressor but with less energy than previous rounds. Mosley 90, Jacobs 81.
Round 10: Mosley on the attack. Making an effort to finish the fight? Not at risk of Jacobs finishing him. Jacobs showing some fight – about nine rounds too late. Crowd does its thing: boos. Mosley 99, Jacobs 91.
Chris Avila def. Anthony Pettis by unanimous decision
With the boxing canvas occasionally looking like quicksand, Avila lumbered past Pettis, the former UFC lightweight champion, with punches that were slow, fluid and occasionally effective.
The judges scored the fight 58-56, 59-55, 59-55 in favor of Avila.
It was a sluggish affair, and the crowd rewarded the boxers with boos.
Avila improved to 6-1 and Pettis fell to 1-1.
Chris Avila vs. Anthony Pettis scheduled for six rounds
Round 1: No need to test Avila for PEDs in this light heavyweight fight. There’s a man who understands boxing doesn’t depend on a six-pack. Some awkward boxing here. Lots of lunging. Fencing with boxing gloves? Avila breaking through with the jab and sweeping right. Pettis counters. Avila 10, Pettis 9.
Round 2: Pettis showing more aggression. Stalking. Now lands a left, but Avila returns the pressure. Not enough to satisfy the crowd. Boos sprinkle. Pettis appears to be finding some rhythm, but Avila lands a solid left. Avila 19, Pettis 19.
Round 3: No great exhibition of speed here. But Avila and Pettis landing punches. Crowd grows restless, but the boxers are putting forth a respectable effort. More boos. Avila raises his arms as if he’s already won the fight. Avila 29, Pettis 28.
Round 4: Avila throwing and occasionally landing a sharp overhand right. Pettis unable to find an opening to throw any combinations. If he has them. Both boxers look in need of oxygen. Avila 39, Pettis 37.
Round 5: The CompuBox machine might nod off during this round. Both boxers look gassed. Avila throwing more punches, slow and fluid, and occasionally…
