Nate Diaz Calls Out Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev for 'Fake' Pre-Fight Drama

Nate Diaz gave his brutally honest opinion on what he believes is a manufactured beef between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland leading up to their fight at UFC 328 this past weekend.

Diaz and Mike Perry sat down for a face-to-face conversation before their upcoming fight on the Jake Paul-promoted Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix card this weekend on May 16.

In their back-and-forth conversation, Perry asked Diaz if he saw their fight and what he thought of their pre-fight buildup.

"They were faking the funk, and they were f- acting crazy and talking s- to each other, and then hugging and showing love like some b-es," Diaz responded. "Fake f- puppets. I'm f- cool off that s-."

Watch the full "MVP Face 2 Face" here (via MVP - Most Valuable Promotions on YouTube):

Diaz explained that, unlike Strickland and Chimaev, he did not feel the need to act tough in front of the camera in order to sell a fight, nor did he feel the need to feign respect toward his opponent, Mike Perry.

"I'm not going to play around, make some fake, artificial beef with him, I just think I'm going to get it done," he said frankly.

Strickland and Chimaev Bury the Hatchet

Diaz was referring to the very intense pre-fight buildup that preceded UFC 328, that included Khamzat Chimaev poking fun at Strickland's relationship with his abusive father, Sean insulting Chimaev's religion and refugee status growing up, and both fighters getting into a physical scuffle in their faceoff.

Despite all of the animosity shown towards each other in the buildup, both fighters shared a sense of respect with one another after their main event championship fight.

In a display of sportsmanship, Chimaev even wrapped the championship belt around Strickland (via UFC on TNT):

Strickland also took his opportunity on the mic immediately after the fight to apologize to people who may have been offended by his antics (via UFC on YouTube):

Diaz wasn't the only one who criticized their show of respect after their violent animosity. Esteemed MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, who was mediating the face-to-face interview between Diaz and Perry, also made his opinions clear on their feud.

"You win that fight and tell the world that was all for show, that was all for promotion? That is the biggest bunch of bulls- I've ever heard. That is fraud. That is cowardly s-," Helwani said on an episode of The Ariel Helwani Show:

Diaz concluded his rant by differentiating himself and Perry from the likes of Strickland and Chimaev, the latter of whom he has previously criticized for fighting like a coward.

"I'm not here for a sitdown, pow-wow, none of that s-. I ain't bulls-ing anybody, and they bulls- us," Diaz said with his typical no-nonsense flair. "I wouldn't be able to sleep at night iwere was sitting there and bulls-ing."

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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 11:29 PM.