Nate Diaz forged an unexpectedly warm bond with a UFC 323 standout after a comical moment at a press conference, reshaping how fans view their interaction. Not many people would have predicted this unlikely pairing on a UFC fighter bingo card.
Diaz, a perennial fan favorite in the sport’s history, has never been the easiest figure for his peers to fully embrace. His clashes and rivalries often spilled onto the stage during UFC’s largest weekly media events. Yet in 2021, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Instead of chaos and drama, Diaz delivered a playful gesture that sparked a genuinely surprising friendship.
In 2021, Diaz returned from a two-year hiatus to face Leon Edwards at UFC 263. As a top-tier star, he naturally appeared among the event’s champions and title contenders during the standard fight-week press conference. Seated beside Brandon Moreno, the Mexican challenger who would later compete at UFC 323 against Tatsuro Taira for the flyweight title, Diaz offered Moreno a puff from a joint he had lit on stage. That moment blossomed into an unlikely camaraderie between the two fighters, a friendship that even led Moreno to sign with Diaz’s Represent Ltd clothing brand.
Moreno reflected on the encounter at a UFC media lunch, noting Diaz’s magnetic personality—the kind that evokes praise or criticism from fans. He recalled backstage exchanges and the initial exchange of gifts, where Diaz’s friendliness stood out even amid media chatter about the moment. Moreno emphasized that Diaz’s demeanor wasn’t hostile in person; rather, he came across as welcoming and respectful once they interacted directly.
After their bout, Diaz didn’t walk away with the victory in Edwards’ case, narrowly missing a dramatic comeback in the final moments of the fight. Moreno, for his part, secured a landmark victory by submitting Deiveson Figueiredo to become Flyweight Champion. That win marked Moreno’s ascent to a third championship pursuit at 125 pounds.
Beyond Diaz and Moreno, Moreno earned admiration from another sports icon. As the first Mexican-born UFC champion, Moreno also earned the respect of boxing legend Canelo Alvarez. The two later connected at boxing coach Eddy Reynoso’s San Diego gym, where Alvarez offered Moreno training tips, including guidance on body-shot technique. The moment was captured and shared by UFC’s channels, highlighting the cross-sport respect Moreno had earned.
Alvarez later admitted that a TikTok clip featuring Moreno had given him goosebumps, underscoring the lasting impression Moreno has left across combat sports.
Would you like to see more crossover stories like Moreno’s relationship with Diaz, or delving into how these alliances influence fighters’ brands and careers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
