Nate Diaz wins UFC return against Anthony Pettis and calls out Jorge Masvidal – The Sun

NATE DIAZ made a winning return to the UFC by defeating ex-lightweight champion Anthony Pettis in California.

The Stockton fan favourite had not fought since a majority decision loss against Conor McGregor at UFC 202 in 2016.

Diaz was able to withstand early pressure from striking maestro Pettis to outbox his old foe to a points win.

After the win the former lightweight contender called for a fight against Jorge Masvidal – who scored the quickest KO in UFC history against Ben Askren in July.

Diaz said: “The reason I was off is cause everybody sucked and there was nobody to fight.

“With this belt, I want to defend it against Jorge Masvidal, he had a good last fight. All respect to the man but there ain’t no gangsters in his game anymore.

“I know my man’s a gangster but he ain’t no west coast gangster.”

After a bright first round for Pettis the former champion was unable to keep up the pressure as a resilient Diaz took control.

In the second round Diaz closed the distance and began to outstrip his opponent with sharp boxing and landed a clean elbow.

With the fight swinging the 34-year-old's way he raced ahead in the third and final round after dropping Pettis with a barrage of knees.

After three hard fought rounds Diaz was given the unanimous decision with the scorecards 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.

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