Diaz Declares "Time to Kill" Following Stoppage Loss to Perry at Netflix Slam

Stockton, California – Veteran combat sports icon Nate Diaz has issued his first public statement following his second-round TKO loss to Mike Perry at the inaugural Netflix Slam event on April 20, 2024, declaring his intent for a renewed, aggressive return to competition with the ominous phrase, "Time to kill now." The statement, released via his Instagram account on Tuesday, addressed the circumstances of his defeat in the bare-knuckle boxing match, attributing the performance to a prolonged period of inactivity and promising a significantly sharper showing in his next outing.

The highly anticipated bout, contested under bare-knuckle boxing rules at 175 pounds, served as a prominent feature on the "Netflix Slam" card, which took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. While the event was headlined by a scripted wrestling match between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, the Diaz-Perry contest drew considerable attention due to the reputation of both fighters for engaging in brutal, fan-friendly brawls. Diaz, known for his relentless pressure and iron chin in mixed martial arts, found himself overwhelmed by Perry’s aggressive pace and power, sustaining multiple severe lacerations above his eyes. The fight was ultimately halted at the conclusion of the second round by Diaz’s corner, a decision prompted by the ringside doctor’s assessment of the deep cuts, which severely impaired Diaz’s vision due to copious blood flow.

Reflecting on the fight, Diaz acknowledged the impact of his time away from active competition. "I didn’t like my lack of activity because of lack of opponents," Diaz wrote, highlighting a frustration that has punctuated his career at various points. His last professional mixed martial arts contest was against Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022, a fight he won via submission. Prior to his bare-knuckle boxing debut against Perry, his most recent combat sports appearance was a professional boxing match against Jake Paul in August 2023, which he lost by unanimous decision. This sequence of fights meant a layoff of eight months between his boxing match and the Perry fight, and a much longer hiatus from a competitive environment tailored to his strengths.

The 39-year-old fighter, whose professional MMA record stands at 21 wins and 13 losses, conveyed a sense of renewed purpose despite the defeat. "I know it was easier to get up to fight me for this fight but now I believe it will be easier to fight him," Diaz continued in his statement, suggesting that the loss itself has provided him with fresh motivation and a clearer target. He extended a sportsmanlike acknowledgment to Perry, stating, "But all good shoutout to Mike on the win and getting me off my ass. Time to kill now. I got something to do." This final declaration underscores Diaz’s characteristic defiance and his immediate focus on future engagements.

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Perry, often referred to as "Platinum," entered the bout with a formidable bare-knuckle boxing record of 4-0, having quickly established himself as one of the sport’s most exciting and effective practitioners since transitioning from mixed martial arts. His aggressive, forward-moving style, combined with his proven durability, proved to be a difficult puzzle for Diaz, particularly in a ruleset that heavily favors striking exchanges without the protection of gloves. The victory further solidifies Perry’s position as a prominent figure in bare-knuckle boxing, elevating his record to 5-0 in the promotion and adding a significant name to his list of vanquished opponents. His MMA record stands at 14-8.

Diaz’s decision to face Perry in bare-knuckle boxing came after a period of considerable speculation regarding his next career move. He notably passed on an offer from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for a highly anticipated trilogy bout against rival Conor McGregor. The two fighters share a storied history, having split two monumental contests in 2016 at UFC 196 and UFC 202, both of which generated massive pay-per-view numbers and captivated the combat sports world. McGregor’s own return to the Octagon has been the subject of persistent rumors, with a long-discussed fight against Michael Chandler still awaiting official confirmation and a definitive date, contrary to some earlier unconfirmed reports suggesting alternative opponents or timelines.

Immediately following the stoppage against Perry, Diaz displayed his characteristic resilience. While he did not dispute the corner’s decision, acknowledging that the blood in his eyes severely hampered his ability to see and continue effectively, he promptly expressed interest in a rematch. The prospect of a second encounter between Diaz and Perry has already garnered significant attention from promoters. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the combat sports promotion co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, which promoted Diaz’s boxing match against Paul, has publicly expressed interest in potentially hosting a rematch between Diaz and Perry on a future MVP MMA show. This indicates a potential shift back towards a mixed martial arts ruleset for a second clash, or perhaps even another bare-knuckle boxing bout under the MVP banner.

The "Netflix Slam" event marked a unique foray for the streaming giant into live combat sports, leveraging the star power of figures like Rousey, Carano, Diaz, and Perry to attract a broad audience. For Diaz, the loss to Perry represents a setback, but his post-fight statement signals a defiant continuation of his career. His call to action, "Time to kill now. I got something to do," suggests that the Stockton native views this defeat not as a conclusion, but as a catalyst for a more focused and intense period of training and future fights. The combat sports community now awaits further announcements regarding Diaz’s next opponent and his chosen platform for his promised resurgence.