標籤: Nate

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.”

On Saturday night inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix will be shaking up the mixed martial arts game with their Rousey vs. Carano event. The 11-fight card will showcase the past, present and future of the sport and will feature a star-studded main card.

In the night’s headliner, women’s MMA legends and pioneers, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, will face off in a dream fight that no one ever expected. Additionally, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou will be in action against one-time PFL Champion Phillip Lynn, and fan favorite brawlers Nate Diaz and Mike Perry will face off in a welterweight bout.

Ahead of Saturday’s card, we offer predictions for who will win the evening’s main card bouts.

Junior Dos Santos vs. Robellis Despaigne

Junior dos Santos will go down as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in MMA history. However, the 42-year-old has a lot of wear and tear on his body. Especially his chin. While he has won back-to-back fights at the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships, he faces a tough matchup against bronze medalist Robellis Despaigne of Cuba on Saturday.

The taekwondo master has speed and length – which he uses well. This is demonstrated during the seven-fight winning streak of the new Karate Combat Heavyweight Champion. If this were 2016, the Brazilian would get the W. But he’s nowhere near that fighter and will have a long night against Despaigne.

Francis Ngannou vs. Philip Lins

At Rousey vs. Carano, former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou returns to the cage for the second time after dethroning the MMA world leader four years ago. While the heavyweight division in MMA is quite weak at the moment, MVP found a strong opponent in “The Predator” Lince.

The former PFL star is entering the fight with a lot of confidence after four consecutive wins in the UFC. However, they were all lightweight. Ngannou will have a massive size and strength advantage. If “Monstro” can stay up and running, he could make this interesting. However, he does not possess great strength, and it seems that it will take only a short time for “The Predator” to catch his prey.

Salahdin Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross

Saturday’s Rousey vs. Carano main card brings an intriguing battle of champions as KSW lightweight king Salahdin Parnasse faces tough-n-uff 155-pound titlist Kenneth Cross. This bout could easily be Fight of the Night as both are talented finishers.

Parnasse has 14 stoppages in 22 wins (7 knockouts and 7 submissions), while Cross has 13 finishes in 17 wins (6 knockouts and 7 submissions). Finally, Parnasse comes from a better promotion where he faces tougher competition. Look for him to approve the decision later this week.

Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry

The fight most fans are waiting for is the welterweight bout between popular brawler Diaz and Perry. The former is one of the most popular fighters in UFC history. However, the age difference in this scrap cannot be ignored.

Diaz turned 41 last month and has 34 fights to his body and chin. Perry has suffered plenty of brain trauma throughout his 22-fight career, but at age 34, he is a far better athlete than he is right now. At the same time, he brings legal power into his hands and is feeling confident having emerged as one of BKFC’s hottest talents.

Diaz is sure to get a lot of stakes, but expect an upset split-decision win for Perry after scoring a few knockdowns during the fight.

Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano

No one expected a fight between Rousey and Carano to ever happen and there were many who did not want it to happen. But we’re getting it on Netflix, and it’s still a dream fight with historical relevance as two of the most important figures in the evolution of women’s MMA.

Both women are motivated and look to be in good shape – especially Carano. But it won’t be a display of elite athleticism as Rousey turned 39 last month and Carano turned 44. The big question is, can Rousey avoid taking some big shots to dominate Carano and throw her around?

Rousey is very durable and is the better athlete of the two at the moment. Furthermore, Carano never came close to facing a wrestler of the silver medalist judoka’s caliber. “Rowdy” should have learned from the knockouts in her previous two fights and been more cautious as she looked for takedowns and forced Carano to tap in Round 2.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Matt Brown isn’t convinced by Nate Diaz’s public explanation for declining a UFC return in favor of fighting Mike Perry on the May 16 Netflix card headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. Speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown argued that the Netflix deal certainly paid more than what the UFC was offering and that Diaz’s decision does not hold up to scrutiny as a matter of principle.

The situation began when UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the promotion was in talks to bring Diaz back, but he believed that Most Valuable Promotions had made him an offer he could not refuse. Diaz publicly hit back, claiming that the UFC had actually offered him more money for a trilogy fight against Conor McGregor and that he turned it down because he had no interest in facing McGregor on his “last leg” after being out of action for five years. Brown knows Diaz well enough to know that he respects the framing but does not accept it at face value.

“Money talks,” Brown said. “He’s making more money with this Netflix fight than he is with the UFC. That’s why he’s not fighting Conor in the UFC. I lean toward believing Dana on this. He got an offer he couldn’t refuse. Now, with the way the contract is structured, with how Nate is spinning it, there might be something going on a few layers down behind the scenes that we don’t know about yet. But there’s no way he’s making more money. Not earning.

“I don’t believe for a moment that he’s not making more money with this Netflix deal, although whatever happens, he ends up with more money in his bank account from this fight than the UFC, or he doesn’t take the fight. He’s going to pick the highest bidder. I don’t think that’s unique to Nate Diaz, but I think he understands that this is a prize fight. He’s fighting for the money. He’s going to take the highest pay. Is.”

Nate Diaz’s MVP deal

Brown’s broader theory is that Diaz’s deal with MVP could be tied to fewer terms than UFC returns, and the contract structure could be as important a factor as the upfront money.

“There’s either something more to it, like potentially he didn’t want to sign another contract with the UFC or something along those lines,” Brown said. “When they say there was an offer he couldn’t refuse, maybe it wasn’t just the money. Maybe there was something else going on behind the scenes with him. When he says they offered him more money, up front, they offered him more money – is there something going on through the back door?

“It doesn’t make sense to me that he would simply accept a lower salary for what would probably be an uphill battle for him. There’s something where the math is not adding up. There are some things going on behind the scenes, behind closed doors, that we don’t know about.”

Bill Self is the greatest coach in the history of the Kansas basketball program. That’s saying something for a team that had coaching icons like Roy Williams and Fogg Allen during their peak periods. However, when you have the most wins in school history and a pair of national championships to your credit, it’s hard to deny his status as the most important sports figure the university has ever produced.

However, all good things come to an end, and the Self era may soon be coming to an end. After a heartbreaking last-second loss to St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the coach seemed unsure whether he would return this fall.

“I haven’t really been able to do much on the court,” Self said after the game. [h/t The Athletic]. “I’ve seen some things off the court. So I’ll come back and visit with the family and see what’s going on. I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I’m feeling good and healthy enough to do it well enough.”

At age 63, and after 33 years of coaching (23 at Kansas), it wouldn’t be shocking if Self walked away from the game. Even if it is only for a few years. If he does retire, let’s take a look at six coaches the program could target as Bill Self’s replacement.

Jack Vaughn, Kansas (assistant)

There is a real possibility that if Self walks away from the game, the program could go with an internal alternative. Associate head coach Jeremy Case would be a way for the school to move forward. However, assistant coach Jack Vaughn would be a great move.

Vaughn understands what it means to be a Jayhawk on the court after playing a memorable four-year run as a star for the school in the ’90s. However, what may give him an edge on the case is that he has extensive coaching experience during his stints with the NBA Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets. Although those tenures may not have been good, it is important to have experience in high-pressure jobs. Especially when a living legend is being replaced.

Brad Underwood, Illinois

Although it took some time, Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into a legitimate force in the Big Ten. He has 20 or more wins in each of the last seven seasons, went 25-8 in 2025-26, the coach has won a pair of conference tournaments, and his team is in the Sweet 16 this week.

Underwood has done a lot with a second-tier school in a conference that has about half the Sweet 16 teams. With Kansas’ resources and brand recognition, he could soon make the Jayhawks a title contender again.

Michael Malone, former Nuggets head coach

A few years ago, former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was viewed as one of the best in the NBA. He developed Denver into a consistent title contender, helped elevate Nikola Jokic to superstar status and led the Nuggets to their first championship in 2023. However, disagreements with the front office led to his surprise exit at the end of last season.

After the way he was fired in 2024, Malone could be angry at the NBA experience and big personalities involved on and off the court. Bringing in a coach who recently won an NBA title would be a coup for Kansas.

TJ Otzelbarger, Iowa State

Since arriving at Iowa State five years ago, TJ Otzelbarger has done nothing but win and lead the Cyclones to the NCAA Tournament every year, including this week’s trip to the Sweet 16. Similar to Brad Underwood at Illinois, if given the resources Kansas has, Otzelburger could get the program back to the Final Four in a year or two.

Danny Manning, Louisville (assistant)

If basketball icon Wilt Chamberlain weren’t a Jayhawk, Danny Manning would be the greatest player in team history. Bringing back the legend and former Kansas assistant to replace Bill Self would be a huge story.

Yet his notoriety within the program is not the only reason he would be a candidate to become their next head coach. He has a wealth of experience as an assistant and currently serves as Pat Kelsey’s top assistant at Louisville. A team that has made consecutive trips to the tournament over the last two years.

Nate Oates, Alabama

Another interesting option that could be on Kansas’ radar is Alabama head coach Nate Oats. ‘Bama has been a football-first school for generations. However, in his first season out of a rebuilding year, Oats has led the Crimson Tide to the tournament in six consecutive seasons. Which includes a Sweet 16 birth this month.

Oats turned ‘Bama into a powerhouse in the SEC. However, no matter what happens, the basketball program will be secondary. However, at Kansas, he could be the top coach at a major college with a proud history.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Nate Diaz has officially put his bid in the ring for the UFC’s White House card and he has some opponents in mind for the event.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, the 40-year-old Stockton fighter explained that he is done with the exhibition circuit and wants to return to “real action” on the sport’s biggest stage. Diaz outlined a three-man hit list specifically for the historic June 14, 2026 event, targeting old rivals and new faces alike as he looks to secure a spot on the South Lawn.

“I’m ready to get back to real action,” Diaz told TMZ Sports. “I want to fight either (Conor) McGregor, maybe Dustin Poirier if he stops being so shy, and maybe even Mike Perry.”

Poirier’s call out is especially stinging, reigniting a feud that has been smoldering for years without ever materializing in the cage. Poirier, who retired in July 2025 after a loss to Max Holloway, has recently made a comeback, and Diaz’s challenge could be the spark needed to finally make the fight happen.

Meanwhile, the mention of Mike Perry provides a wild card option, as the former BKFC star is currently a free agent looking to return to mixed martial arts. The backdrop to Diaz’s potential return is the UFC White House event, which is being held to celebrate both President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Diaz shared his enthusiasm for the patriotic display, saying, “Yeah, it would be dope. Gang America, baby. You already know what’s up.”

A limited number of bouts are expected to take place at the event, and Diaz’s proven ability to effortlessly draw attention makes him a prime candidate for the lineup. Diaz also took some time to address his former opponent, Jake Paul, who recently suffered a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. Despite their past rivalry, Diaz praised the YouTuber-turned-boxer, who suffered a double jaw break in a sixth-round knockout.

Diaz acknowledged Paul’s desire to step up against a former heavyweight champion, saying, “He’s doing a great job.” However, Diaz made it clear that his own focus is moving back to legitimate MMA competition, noting that he wants a “real fight” for the “right price” rather than another crossover boxing match.

洛杉磯公羊隊正在為本週末一場盛大的分區賽做準備。洛杉磯隊將在一場對陣芝加哥隊的比賽中迎戰 NFC 冠軍賽。公羊隊本賽季顯然取得了很大的成功，現在整個聯盟都在尋求從他們的教練組中挖走人才。

公羊隊傳球比賽協調員內特·謝爾哈斯 (Nate Scheelhaase) 是今年招聘週期中熱​​門的主教練候選人。

在周日洛杉磯季后賽之前的兩天裡，謝爾哈斯將接受四次主教練面試。

週五早上，他結束了對布朗隊主教練的採訪。舍爾哈斯還計劃於週五接受鋼人隊和突襲者隊的採訪。他還將在周六接受烏鴉隊的採訪。

舍爾哈斯是邁克·湯姆林本週早些時候卸任後鋼人隊要求的第一個主教練採訪。

洛杉磯隊的傳球協調員的需求量很大，不僅僅是因為球隊贏得了很多比賽。公羊傳球進攻的成功也讓舍爾哈斯對其他球隊有吸引力。

斯塔福德 MVP 級別的賽季在謝爾哈斯的履歷上看起來確實不錯。

這位 37 歲的四分衛在 2025 年迎來了他有史以來最好的常規賽季之一。斯塔福德傳球 4,707 碼，達陣 46 次，僅有 8 次攔截。他以前從未在一個賽季內傳出如此多的達陣。這也是他自 2021 年加入公羊隊以來第二次傳球超過 4,000 碼。

但謝爾哈斯並不是唯一一位對主教練職位感興趣的公羊隊助理教練。

洛杉磯隊的兩位協調員 OC Mike LaFleur 和 DC Chris Shula 也是熱門的主教練候選人。

看看洛杉磯的哪些助理教練在這個休賽期擔任主教練將會很有趣。在這一點上，他們中的至少一個人將不可避免地離開公羊隊。尤其是聯盟有多達九個空缺。

但公羊隊在季后賽中停留的時間越長，球隊在聘請謝爾哈斯和他的助理教練同事之前需要等待的時間就越長。

公羊隊對陣熊隊的比賽將於美國東部時間週日下午 6:30 開賽。