UFC Champ Makhachev Claims Diaz Altercation Was Mistaken Identity

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev believes his recent backstage altercation with Nate Diaz in Las Vegas may have been a case of mistaken identity. The incident occurred at the MGM Grand Garden Arena during UFC 311 promotional events, where Makhachev was present for a press conference ahead of his title defense against Arman Tsarukyan.

According to Makhachev, Diaz began directing obscene gestures toward him and his team, prompting a response from one of his teammates. Security quickly intervened to de-escalate the situation. Makhachev, who denies instigating the incident, speculated that Diaz may have mistaken one of his masked teammates for Khabib Nurmagomedov, Diaz’s longtime rival.

“One of our guys wore a mask, but he was sick a little bit, and maybe Diaz thought it was Khabib,” Makhachev said during an interview with Demetrious Johnson on his YouTube channel. “Khabib wasn’t in Las Vegas, it was just some other guy from another country.”

Makhachev recounted a previous encounter with Diaz in a Las Vegas hotel elevator, where Diaz expressed respect toward him. “He said, ‘Respect, respect,’ and just walked,” Makhachev recalled. “But what changed now? Cameras come?”

Diaz and Nurmagomedov have a contentious history, dating back to a 2015 altercation at a World Series of Fighting event. Diaz has repeatedly criticized Nurmagomedov, calling him “not a real fighter.” Despite their rivalry, the two never faced each other in the Octagon, as Nurmagomedov retired in 2020.

Makhachev, who is set to defend his title against Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Inglewood, Calif., emphasized that he did not provoke the incident. “I told Dana [White], it’s not my fault,” he said. “We don’t have something, I don’t know. If I have something with him, I can fix it.”

Diaz, who left the UFC in 2022, has since competed in boxing matches against Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal. His future in MMA remains uncertain, though he has expressed interest in a potential UFC return. As of now, Diaz has not publicly responded to Makhachev’s claims.

The incident highlights the ongoing tension between Diaz and members of Nurmagomedov’s camp, even as Makhachev prepares for his upcoming title defense. Whether the altercation was a misunderstanding or a continuation of Diaz’s feud with Nurmagomedov, it adds another layer of drama to the UFC’s lightweight division.