DANA WHITE refused to be drawn on Nate Diaz’s upcoming showdown with Jake Paul – shutting down reporters’ questions about the bout.
Former lightweight title challenger Diaz will lock horns with the social media sensation in a boxing match on August 5 – 11 months after his final octagon outing.
MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONSFormer UFC star Nate Diaz will face Jake Paul in a boxing match on August 5[/caption]
The fight will be Diaz’s first since leaving the UFC last SeptemberGETTY
ALAMYUFC supremo Dana White refused to be drawn on the[/caption]
Diaz’s lucrative Dallas dust-up with the YouTuber-turned-boxer was put to White during the UFC Kansas City post-fight press conference early on Sunday morning.
But the veteran promoter wasn’t up for discussing the fight, saying: “I don’t want to s*** on other people’s fights like Oscar De La Weirdo (Hoya).
“I don’t want to talk about the fight. First of all, neither guy is my guy.
“There’s just no need for me to comment on it or whatever.”
Despite not wanting to be quizzed about the bout, White hopes both men take home hefty purses.
He continued: “I wish them the best, I hope they make a zillion dollars.”
MMA fan favourite Diaz rode off into the sunset with a submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 last September.
But he officially became a free agent in November following the end of the promotion’s exclusive negotiating period.
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The Stockton slugger teased a move into the boxing world shortly after his exit from the UFC and has followed through.
Paul will bid to use Diaz to return to the win column following the first professional defeat of his MMA career.
The former Disney star suffered a split decision loss to bitter rival Tommy Fury in February but opted against pursuing an immediate rematch.
And he plans to get back to winning ways with an emphatic victory over Diaz, saying: “My last fight didn’t end the way I wanted.
“But the result was the best thing that could have happened to my professional boxing aspirations.
“Now, the world thinks I am vulnerable when all I am is more focused than ever.
SUNSPORTHow Jake Paul and Nate Diaz stack up ahead of their Dallas dust-up[/caption]
“My team wanted me to take an easy fight like KSI next, but that’s not how I am built.
“Nate Diaz is considered one of the most bad-ass fighters of all time, but he and his team have been running their mouths for too long.
“People tell me Nate has been training with Andre Ward for years.
“That he has insane stamina. That he refuses to back down.
“Good for f***ing Nate. I haven’t forgotten about the slap backstage in Arizona, and on August 5th, a Problem Child is going to piece up and knock out the Stockton G.”