There are different levels of fan in mixed martial arts.
There are US fans, who opine on social media about what a fighter should have done, and are not below shouting f** if the fight stays on the ground for long. Then there are Brazilian fans, whose favorite chant is “uh vai morrer” (you’re going to to die). And then there are the Irish fans.
Irish fans show up for a Conor McGregor fight by the thousands, and they have a superpower. Superheroine Storm from the X-Men can control weather. Irish MMA fans are the same – they make it rain beer.
However, not all of it get dumped on everyone’s head. Some of the beer is drunk, too. And when enough of it is drunk, the worst of them turn into punks.
After UFC 202, Nate Diaz, having lost a close decision to McGregor, was headed back to his hotel room with friends. As this clip opens, a voice or voices could be heard behind the group shouting “fook Diaz, fook Diaz, fook Diaz.”
After the fifth one, the fighter, tired of the din, turned around, and walked towards them.
“Mother f*** them up,” explained the UFC lightweight.
Suddenly the “F Diaz” chant went silent.
Diaz moved sideways looking for a path through the throng.
“Let’s go,” he offered the now silent leprechaun(s).
There was not response. So Diaz and friends walked to the elevators.
A blonde getting off an elevator was baffled by the crowd.
“Is someone famous here?” she asked. “I don’t understand.”
As the group headed to a private elevator, a fan bellowed “Nate doesn’t give a f***.”
No truer words were ever bellowed.
Next up for Diaz is rest. He made a reported two million dollars for the first fight with McGregor. He made way, way more for the rematch. Each was among the biggest selling pay per views in league history.
At one win each, a trilogy fight has to happen. And Diaz is waiting until it does. Whether McGregor drops to 145 for a title shot with interim champion Jose Aldo, or fights at the more natural 155 vs. Eddie Alavarez, Diaz is hanging tight.
Because Nate Diaz doesn’t give a f***.
