NATE DIAZ ramped up the mind games ahead of his showdown with Jake Paul by STORMING OUT of their face-to-face sitdown.
The former UFC lightweight title challenger will make his professional boxing debut against the social media sensation in a Dallas dust-up early on Sunday morning.
The pair, 38 and 26 respectively, recently took part in a traditional pre-fight sitdown hosted by veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.
But it ended prematurely when Diaz decided to up and LEAVE.
Diaz’s early exit came after Paul hailed him by saying: “He’s a warrior, he’s put on some of the greatest fights in the history of MMA.
“He has an amazing fanbase, obviously people love him for a reason and I know he’s coming to bring a war.
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“That’s what he says, ‘Ready for f****ng war’.
“I think the fans are the ones who get to win the most out of all of this because we both don’t want to lose and back down.”
Diaz shocked both Paul and Helwani, by saying he would “be right back.”
Fight fans were quick to comment, with one saying: “He doesn’t give a f**k.”
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Another said: “This is the next level of I’m just showing up so I don’t get fined.”
And another said: “Nate knows this is beneath him and he is just there for the paycheck.”
MMA icon Diaz is no stranger to leaving media events early, dipping out of pre-fight press conferences for his 2016 rematch with Conor McGregor and upcoming clash with Paul.
Problem Child Paul has been irked by Diaz’s lack of promotion for the fight, saying: “For my own pleasure, I like to fight people where it’s rowdy because it’s more entertaining for the fans.
“It’s not as fun if there’s not as much s*** talk and funny moments leading up to the fight.
“That’s why I do this, for my own joy and passion for this game. So it is disappointing for myself.
“Nate has a massive name, he is a massive pay-per-view draw of UFC times.
“To me, that’s exciting because I haven’t fought a massive pay-per-view draw in the prime of their career when they’re still hot and active.
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“There was this beef and online banter back and forth that we’ve been trying and wanting to fight for a long time.”
Former Disney star Paul will look to use Diaz as a stepping stone back to the win column following a split decision defeat in his February grudge match with Tommy Fury.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
