Two of the biggest stars in UFC history, Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, are set to clash in a boxing ring on Saturday in Anaheim, California. The era of theme fights is at an all-time high, and the duo is looking to capitalize on the trend. Despite mixed reactions to the matchup, boxing purists may also be interested in the co-main event featuring Daniel Jacobs and Shane Mosley Jr. The event is set to take place on July 6 at 9 pm ET and can be streamed on PPV.com for $49.99.
Diaz and Masvidal have been a part of successful UFC pay-per-view events, with Diaz’s star rising after fights with Conor McGregor. Their 2019 clash at UFC 244 birthed the BMF title belt, with Masvidal winning due to a doctor stoppage. Now, the two fighters, with a combined 86 MMA bouts, will face off in a boxing ring where they have limited experience. Diaz suffered a loss to Jake Paul in his only professional boxing match in August 2023, while Masvidal has never had a professional boxing bout.
Masvidal, known for his bare-knuckle fighting background, started his MMA promotion, Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA. Despite being past their primes as combat sports athletes, both fighters hold significant sway in the industry and have been responsible for numerous pay-per-view buys. The upcoming boxing match is expected to be spirited and hard-edged, contrasting with recent exhibition fights that lacked a true competitive nature. The fight between Jacobs and Mosley Jr. also presents some intrigue, with the latter pushing towards a potential world title shot at 168 pounds.
The undercard of the event includes matchups such as Chris Avila vs. Anthony Pettis, Devin Cushing vs. Manuel Correa, and Amado Vargas vs. Sean Garcia. Masvidal and Diaz are likely to balance maintaining their ability to continue fighting while putting on an exciting show for fans. The clash between Jacobs and Mosley Jr. could provide insight into the current status of these traditional boxing names and their prospects for the future. With both fighters nearing the end of their careers, the event promises to be an entertaining and competitive evening for combat sports fans.
