Floyd Mayweather Jr and Nate Diaz- two of the biggest names in boxing and mixed martial arts respectively, may now share the stage as RIZIN FF has expressed interest in pitting the two combat sports icons against one another.
RIZIN prez expresses interest in making Mayweather vs. Diaz
According to journalist Drake Riggs, who recently spoke with RIZIN President Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the Japanese MMA promotion is interested in promoting a fight between Mayweather (50-0-2 boxing) and Diaz (21-13-0 MMA).
“Nick and Nate, they both have a great personality, their fighting style is very exciting, and we’ve known them since the PRIDE days,” Sakakibara told Riggs on the Broadened Horizon show, “We had Nick fight in PRIDE before and we’ve known them from way back. So, if we were to do something with Floyd again, we always have to talk about an opponent.”
“We do think we’re at a point where we can’t just only focus on the Japanese market anymore,” the prez went on, “We have to target the international audience. So, with that said, Floyd’s opponent doesn’t have to be a Japanese fighter anymore. It’s just one possibility thinking about the future. Not only Floyd’s opponent, but Nate Diaz as an individual has a great amount of character, fight style, and a great following internationally. So, as an individual, he would definitely be somebody we’d be interested to be talking to.”
Mayweather has worked with the promotion before after accepting their first fight with Japanese MMA superstar, Tenshin Nasukawa. Mayweather recently fought another RIZIN stalwart, Mikuru Asakura, whom he defeated in just under two rounds.
Diaz, on the other hand, has finished his contract with the UFC after defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 279, but has not yet officially retired and is looking for new opportunities- which includes a potential fight against celebrity boxing icon Jake Paul.
“It’s always nice to show the Mayweather exhibition challenges and whatever we can do to exceed people’s expectations, that’s the goal in terms of announcing a fight. Whatever gathers attention, surprises people, is what we want to shoot for. With that said, it would be interesting to start talking to Nate and bring up the idea to Floyd,” Sakakibara added. [H/T MMA Mania]
