Stockton based UFC star Nate Diaz will be handed key to the city as tribute to his legendary career

Stockton-based UFC star Nate Diaz will receive the key to the city as a mark of commendation for his storied MMA career that has spanned over eighteen years.

Nate Diaz, alongside his older brother Nick, could very well be credited for putting '209' on the map. 209 is the area code of Stockton, a city on the San Joaquin River, in California’s Central Valley.

The visuals of the Stockton native smeared in blood in his post-fight interviews, representing his hometown, is something that is etched in an MMA fan's memory.

Astonishingly, in the last fight of his UFC contract earlier in September this year at UFC 279, Nate Diaz scored a submission victory over Tony Ferguson with exactly 2:09 left on the clock.

In honor of his contribution to the sport and putting Stockton on the map, the former UFC star will be handed the key to the city. Ernie Rodriguez, a fellow Stockton native, announced the news on Instagram:

"This Saturday, Stockton, California Legend Nathan Diaz will be receiving his key to our city #NateDiazparade"

The post was later shared by Represent LTD., Diaz's apparel brand and the official handle of Nick Diaz's academy on Instagram.

The medieval custom of presenting the city's key was intended to convey trust and honor. The key represents the recipient's freedom to enter and exit the city as a trusted peer of city residents.

In modern times, a tangible souvenir key is given to distinguished visitors and residents whom the city wishes to recognize. This award is also known as 'Freedom of the City'; in this context, access to "everything" is regarded as the highest form of respect.

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Nate Diaz questions whether Artem Lobov will accept Conor McGregor's challenge

Nate Diaz's octagon rival Conor McGregor is entangled in a legal dispute with his former teammate Artem Lobov over the Dubliner's Proper No. 12 whiskey.

The Stockton native has shared the octagon twice with the Irishman, engaging in massive blockbuster fights, with their rematch at UFC 202 occupying the second spot on the list of highest-selling pay-per-view (PPV) events in the world's premier MMA organization.

Most recently, McGregor addressed Lobov's allegations and lashed out at his former training partner.

With Lobov yet to respond to the challenge, Diaz took to Twitter to question whether 'The Russian Hammer' is going to "show up" to the fight:

"So is Artem gonna show up to the big fight or what ?"