Cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran is standing by his decision to cancel Nate Diaz’s fight against Mike Perry, telling MMA Junkie Radio that he was left with no other option but to protect his fighter.
Duran was brought into the program specifically at Diaz’s request to work in Diaz’s corner. When the fight deteriorated, he called to intervene and advised the referee to stop the fight.
Diaz was hit in several places during the fight, a cut on the right side of his forehead caused profuse bleeding which Duran was unable to stop. Diaz also suffered a broken finger during the bout and later told Duran that he could not see due to the bleeding. Diaz finished the night with 15 staples and 20 stitches.
‘Stitch’ Duran on Nate Diaz stoppage: ‘He was beaten’
“He was beaten,” Duran told MMA Junkie Radio. “Mike was very strong, very aggressive.” Duran said he told referee Diaz that he was not going to back down despite the official pressuring him to continue.
The crowd at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California reacted with condemnation and was criticized on social media. Duran said no one changed his viewpoint. The reassurance he needed came directly from Diaz. Durán said that after the fight Diaz thanked him and hugged him when he said goodbye, Diaz’s father was also present to thank him. Duran said Diaz admitted he couldn’t see, which he said was the deciding factor.
“My job is to protect the fighter,” Duran said. “That’s what I did to Nate.”
The stoppage drew additional attention, considering the night’s co-main event, the bout between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano on Netflix, also ended in a stoppage between rounds two and three. Duran said he has since received praise from within the combat sports industry, including a message from boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
“I got a lot of compliments from people in the industry,” Duran said. “they understand.”
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