5 best Nate Diaz moments in the UFC

#2. His post-fight interview at UFC on Fox 17

After Nate Diaz's thrilling first-round TKO win over Gray Maynard, he took a year-long sabbatical from the sport before returning to face future UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. Unfortunately, the younger Diaz brother was unsuccessful in his attempt at ending the Brazilian's win streak. After losing a lopsided bout to 'RDA', Diaz took another year-long sabbatical from the UFC.

Upon his return, the Stockton legend was booked to face Michael Johnson in a matchup that many at the time felt favored Johnson. Diaz, however, looked better than ever, outstriking his foe with his impressive boxing skills. When Joe Rogan stepped inside the octagon for the post-interview, his attempt at praising Nate Diaz for his performance was interrupted by one of the most infamous callouts in UFC history.

All but ignoring Joe Rogan's words, Diaz grabbed the microphone before unleashing a profanity-laced verbal assault against Conor McGregor, accusing the Irishman of taking everything he'd worked for while swearing to fight him. It shocked the world as Diaz never mentioned McGregor prior. Not only was the post-fight interview entertaining, it was successful as Nate Diaz's next opponent was McGregor himself, sparking an all-time great MMA rivalry.

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#1. Beating Conor McGregor

After defeating Michael Johnson and calling out Conor McGregor for a bout, Nate Diaz waited patiently on the sidelines. Meanwhile, the Irishman set his sights on capturing UFC gold in a second division by challenging former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. Alas, the matchup was not to be as the MMA gods had decided that McGregor's opponent would instead be Nate Diaz.

'RDA' withdrew from the scheduled UFC 196 main event bout against Conor McGregor, citing a broken foot. After José Aldo declined the UFC's offer for him to step in as a late-notice replacement, Diaz stepped in. Although he only had 11 days to prepare, the Stockton legend was as confident as he'd ever been. No one expected him to win, least of all due to the little preparation time he was given, but it hardly mattered to the former lightweight.

When both men locked horns, Diaz spent the first round leaning from McGregor's punches, forcing the Irishman to overextend. After some time, Diaz began walking his foe down, raising his guard high while tucking his chin in, blocking every shot while ensuring that any punches that slipped through the gaps in his guard landed on his forehead.

Diaz's forward pressure caused McGregor to constantly reset his preferred counterpunching distance, disrupting his foe's rhythm while countering him. By the second round, McGregor was exhausted. Within minutes, a one-two combination from Diaz rocked the Irishman and he dove in for an ill-timed takedown. Diaz sprawled and a scramble ensued, culminating in him capturing the Irishman's exposed neck with a rear-naked choke to seal the greatest win of his career.