In a revealing interview with Legacy TV, veteran MMA coach Cesar Gracie has pointed to former UFC champion Ronda Rousey’s influence as a turning point in Nick Diaz’s career trajectory, stemming from a period when the two athletes were acquainted nearly ten years ago.
Gracie, who began training Diaz when he was just 16 years old, expressed concern about the changes he observed in his former student’s lifestyle choices after spending time with Rousey before she rose to fame.
“He (Nick Diaz) was the best I’ve ever seen,” Gracie stated. “All of a sudden his friends were Hollywood friends. His friends were Las Vegas friends, they were kinda weird. He went on a path … but I can’t go on that path. That’s not my path, I won’t follow him onto that path. All I can do is stay on the outside and wait for him to come to my path — but I won’t follow his path.”
“I think Ronda Rousey got him drinking cause she would come up before she was famous and hang out…it wasn’t her fault but [Diaz]…could not drink, he can’t do things like that and that set him on a different path. ”
The timing of these comments coincides with Diaz’s recent withdrawal from his scheduled appearance at UFC 310, where he was set to face Vicente Luque. Themba Gorimbo has since stepped in as a replacement.
Gracie, who served as a father figure to Diaz, maintains hope for his former student’s future, particularly in a teaching role. “I got love for the guy — I love him,” Gracie shared. “I think he’s an amazing teacher, I would like him to maybe share and get a love for teaching, and maybe have his own academy and teach.”
The coach also drew comparisons between Nick and his brother Nate’s life choices, noting, “Another thing too, I think it’s important … what Nate did is he got married to someone who kinda keeps him grounded, has a good mentality, and Nick never had that.”
Diaz’s last UFC appearance was at UFC 266 three years ago, where he faced Robbie Lawler in a middleweight bout that ended in the third round.
There are rumors that Diaz is completely broke corroborated by Joe Riggs – and evidenced by the fact Diaz is selling counterfeit UFC gloves online.
Nick Diaz Accused of Selling Counterfeit UFC Gloves and Labeled a Scammer for Blacked-Out, Seconds-Long Paid Cameos
Diaz is clearly struggling financially; he’s been selling autographed UFC gloves on his Instagram nearly every day.
According to his own link, he’s sold 127 pairs for $50 each, totaling just over $6,000 before deducting the costs of shipping and purchasing the gloves. The kicker is that these gloves are likely counterfeit, or at the very least, older gloves painted gold, as UFC retails the new gloves for $249 on their website.
Ten pairs of replica gloves similar to the ones Diaz is selling cost $190, meaning Diaz is likely profiting roughly 50% on each sale.
He’s also attempted to launch an OF subscription where he’d like to share BJJ techniques. While Diaz is beloved, it’s hard to picture anyone serious about BJJ taking tips from an MMA legend in the Gi.
UFC legend Nick Diaz has come under fire from fans after sending a series of odd, blacked-out videos on the celebrity messaging platform Cameo. Diaz, who charges at least $209 for personalized greetings, pep talks, and Q&As, has been accused of scamming customers by delivering seemingly blank videos with static noise in the background.
Numerous disappointed fans have taken to social media and Cameo’s review section to express their frustration. One disgruntled customer wrote, “SCAM!!!!!! Nick Diaz is a scammer. Sent a 3-second black video with static in the back. WHAT A LOSER. Don’t go on this website if you don’t want to do it and just use people for their money. Weirdo tried to do something nice for a loved one and spent way too much money on this weirdo man.”
Another reviewer commented, “Are you kidding me?? A 3-second video of a black screen and talking in the background? Get off the dr*gs Nick, kids look up to you.”
The 41-year-old joined Cameo in March 2022. While 54 percent of his reviews are five-star ratings, a significant 39 percent of clients have given him the lowest possible rating, with 7 percent awarding two stars.
