“MMA Fighter Nate Diaz Faces Charges Following New Orleans Street Brawl”

Mixed martial arts fighter Nate Diaz turned himself in to New Orleans police on Thursday to face a charge following a street brawl over the weekend.

Police said the scuffle happened early Saturday outside a pizzeria and left a man unconscious.

Diaz turned himself in to police with his lawyer on Thursday, a press release from authorities said. His attorney told New Orleans media that Diaz acted in self-defense.

Diaz posted bail and was cleared to return home to Stockton, Calif., said Zach Rosenfield, Diaz’s public relations representative.

“We appreciate how we have been treated by the New Orleans Police Department, the court and their staff,” Rosenfield said in an email.

Diaz, 38, has been one of the MMA’s most popular fighters since 2016, including two bouts with Conor McGregor.

Diaz and his older brother, former Strikeforce Champion Nick Diaz, are well known for their brash fighting style, strict training standards, embrace of marijuana culture, and a general anti-authoritarian attitude that fans find popular. of mixed martial arts.

Nate Diaz has been fighting in the UFC since 2007, but is now a free agent after ending his contract with the UFC last year following his fight against Tony Ferguson. Diaz has said he would be open to returning to the UFC, but he also launched his own combat sports promotion house, Real Fight Inc., last year.

Diaz is also following in the path of many stars in his sport by moving from the octagon to the boxing ring, where the fees are often bigger than in the UFC. He is due to face YouTube star Jake Paul in August in an eight-round boxing match in Dallas.