Ranking the top 10 most iconic Nate Diaz performances

10: UFC 279 vs Tony Ferguson – getting out with the bag

We begin with the most recent Diaz performance that encapsulates the essence of what makes him so beloved.

The Stockton son was originally scheduled to face undefeated powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev in a bout that, in hindsight, would probably have been quite lopsided. A catastrophic missing of weight and Diaz’ refusal to face Chimaev at a catch weight caused a shuffling of the fight card. Diaz knew his worth, didn’t back down and was willing to leave the UFC without a main event, standing up to his bosses in ways the rest of us could only dream of doing.

Diaz would instead face veteran Tony Ferguson, won via submission, and left the UFC with a win, his middle fingers up to Dana White, and a bag full of cash.

Was it his best performance? Hardly. Iconic? Highly. Get it? Hiiiiighly?