The boxing match between former UFC fighters Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal is to take place a little later than originally expected.
The two rivals, who competed in the UFC’s first-ever ‘BMF’ title bout back in November 2019, had been expected to rematch under boxing rules on June 1 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. However, per reports by Fight Mag and Boxing Scene, the event will now take place five weeks later on July 6 in a new venue: the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The reason for the postponement is reportedly due to UFC 302, headlined by Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier, taking place on the original June 1 date. Additionally, Dmitry Bivol defends his WBA light heavyweight title on the same date against Malik Zinad (who replaced the injured Artur Beterbiev) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on what is to be a busy weekend of top-level combat sports.
Both Masvidal and Diaz have engaged in a multi-city press tour to promote the initial June 1 date for their contest in Las Vegas, New York, Miami and Los Angeles.
In their original meeting back at UFC 244, Masvidal defeated Diaz via TKO due to a doctor stoppage after he opened up a severe cut on Diaz’s forehead following a high kick.
Diaz made his professional boxing debut last August where he was defeated by Jake Paul by unanimous judges’ decision. Masvidal has a single professional boxing match on his record; a 2005 majority decision victory over Joseph Benjamin, and will be competing in his first sanctioned boxing match in almost 20 years when he faces Diaz later this summer.
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