Nate Diaz Jokes About New Orleans Chokehold Incident

Nate Diaz isn't sweating the consqeuences of his viral chokehold video.

BYBen Mock
Link Copied to Clipboard!
782 Views
UFC 279: Diaz v Ferguson

On April 22, MMA fighter Nate Diaz was filmed placing a man in a chokehold during an altercation in New Orleans. Diaz did not release the man until he was unconscious. After an arrest warrant was issued for the former UFC fighter. However, Diaz turned himself in at a New Orleans police station but was released on bail. The fighter's handling of the situation was initially praised by the likes of Dana White and Connor McGregor.

Still awaiting further developments in his case, Diaz attended a press conference to promote his upcoming boxing match with Jake Paul. The conference was a weird affair, with a journalist attempting to steal a moment in the spotlight by asking Diaz if he could get on the undercard. But another moment from the conference has divided the internet.

Nate Diaz Pretends Chokeout Victim Was Logan Paul

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 10: Nate Diaz prepares to fight Tony Ferguson in a welterweight fight during the UFC 279 event at T-Mobile Arena on September 10, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

One of the first immediate reactions to the Nate Diaz chokeout video was that the man being choked out bore a striking resemblance to Jake Paul's brother, Logan. Diaz appeared to lean into his fact during their press conference on Tuesday. "You're going to act like that wasn't Logan?" said a smirking Diaz. "Come on, man!". He doubled down at Paul's confusion, saying, "It is Logan, what are you talking about?". Diaz also spoke about why he chose a chokehold over hitting the man. "You don't want to just hit people out there," Nate said. "That's fucking dangerous. You know what I'm saying? Give him a little nap."

However, the New Orleans PD doesn't think it's as much of a laughing matter. Diaz faces a charge of second-degree battery and faces a hearing in June on the case. Barring any legal reasons, Paul and Diaz will square off on August 5. Furthermore, Diaz's comments come days after a national conversation emerged about vigilante justice. On May , an unhoused man called Jordan Neeley was killed on the New York subway by an ex-marine who put him in a chokehold for 15 minutes.

[via]

  • Link Copied to Clipboard!
About The Author
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.