Morning Report: Michael Bisping: Nate Diaz follows Jake Paul’s boxing pattern: ‘It’s an almost 40 non-boxer’

Nate Diaz is officially heading into the boxing ring.

Jake Paul will get his wish on Aug. 5 in Dallas, Texas by getting to welcome Stockton’s finest to the art of the “sweet science” in a 185-pound clash. Yes, you read that right. For “The Problem Child,” the matchup will act as the rebound attempt off his first career boxing loss to Tommy Fury via a split decision this past February. The match was argued as Paul’s first “real” challenge against a boxer after six bouts against athletes from other sports.

At one point, Paul had attempted to book a match with Michael Bisping, according to the former UFC middleweight champion. With Diaz now getting the call, it continues Paul’s trend as a pro boxer despite an apparent no-brainer of a matchup with fellow YouTuber KSI waiting in the wings.

“You do learn more from your losses more than what you do your victories but he’s not talking about that,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “He’s saying, ‘Listen, everyone just thinks I’m vulnerable.’ Well, you were clearly showing that when you first went up against a professional boxer, not a basketballer, not a wrestler, not a past his prime MMA guy, this was a boxer. He was young, a novice boxer, and you got beat fair and square. So you are more vulnerable, but it’s not the best thing that’s happened to your career.

“Now you’re saying your team wanted you to take an easy fight like KSI. Well, yeah that would be the natural thing to do because you are a YouTuber yourself. Make a s*** ton of money. I’m not hating. It’s just all this talk about taking on [Saul] ‘Canelo’ [Alvarez] and being one of the greatest boxers that ever lived. He stepped up against Tommy and he got his ass kicked. Let’s be honest. Maybe not kicked, he got beat bloody fair and square.”

Now formerly one of the hottest free agents in combat sports, Diaz hasn’t competed since his final UFC appearance in Sept. 2022, defeating Tony Ferguson via a fourth-round guillotine submission. While Diaz was and is no longer considered a top talent at the end of his MMA run, he remains a relatively dangerous and entertaining fighter who preferred to stand and trade despite his solid grappling abilities.

“Nate Diaz, this will be a fun fight,” Bisping said. “Nate Diaz is no walk in the park. Very, very tough. Extremely hard to finish. Granted, he’s not a boxer, he’s almost 40 years old. He’s got a great submission game, you can’t use that. But the hands of Nate Diaz, they’re good. You can’t deny that.

“Listen, I’m not hating on Jake Paul, but this is the pattern, this is the flow. It’s an almost 40 non-boxer. It’s a guy who’s a submission specialist with decent hands. He’s much smaller. Diaz is very tall, he’s not a small man by any stretch of the imagination. But he did fight the majority of his career as a lightweight, okay? So it is going to be very interesting to see how it goes down.”

Waiting. Jamahal Hill, UFC light heavyweight contenders line up to welcome Alex Pereira to division

Bummer. Renato Moicano out of UFC Vegas 72 main event vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Response. Max Holloway fires back at critics claiming he’s done after third loss to Alexander Volkanovski: ‘Y’all must’ve forgot’

Anticipation. Eugene Bareman was nervous for Israel Adesanya during UFC 287 walkout: ‘Oh s***, are we OK here?’

$$$. Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz betting odds released

Critique. Justin Gaethje: Michael Bisping ‘not my favorite commentator,’ but I didn’t mean to throw him under the bus

Merit. Pedro Munhoz sees ‘no logic whatsoever’ in Henry Cejudo challenging UFC champion Aljamain Sterling

Replacement. Bryce Mitchell needs new opponent for UFC 288 after Jonathan Pearce suffers injury

Between the Links.

Max Holloway’s greatest hits.

Next level: Daniel Zellhuber.

UFC 287 Slo-mo.

Special Ring Side: RIZIN 41.

PFL Season in full swing.

Four weeks out for CCC.

New sparring partner for O’Malley.

Wondervlog.

Rewatching one of the GOAT fights.

Fancy d’arce to shin choke.

No Bets Barred. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Conner Burks discuss is Arnold Allen can upset Max Holloway at UFC Kansas City to earn a title shot.

Stitched up.

Welcome.

Hilarious.

What a bully.

Too funny not to share.

Memories.

Appreciation.

Soon.

Stop and drop.

Cause.

Where?

Contrast.

Deiveson Figueiredo (21-3-1) vs. Manel Kape (18-6); UFC 290, July 8

I really didn’t think Diaz would be down for boxing Paul after a loss. Shame on me.

Happy Friday, gang. Have a great weekend. Thanks for reading!

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