There are open workouts.
And then there are Nate Diaz open workouts.
Ahead of his highly anticipated showdown with Mike Perry at Most Valuable Promotions MMA 1, Diaz once again reminded combat sports fans why he remains one of the most unpredictable personalities in fighting.
During the open workout in California, Diaz casually shadowboxed, moved around the stage, playfully engaged with cameramen, and appeared completely relaxed just days before stepping back into an MMA cage for the first time since 2022.
But naturally, it was one particular moment that instantly exploded across social media.
Fans quickly reacted after Diaz was seen holding and smoking what appeared to be a blunt during the workout, creating another unforgettable fight week moment that felt perfectly on-brand for the Stockton veteran.
Why Nate Diaz Moments Always Go Viral
Few fighters in MMA history have built a reputation quite like Nate Diaz.
For nearly two decades, Diaz has carried an anti-corporate, unpredictable energy that helped turn him into one of combat sports’ biggest cult figures. Whether it is press conferences, backstage altercations, interviews, or open workouts, fans never quite know what version of Nate Diaz they are going to get.
That unpredictability is part of the appeal.
And at MVP MMA 1 fight week, Diaz once again delivered a moment that instantly spread throughout MMA social media.
Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry Headlines Violent Co-Main Event
The open workout comes just days before Diaz faces Mike Perry in one of the most talked-about fights on the MVP MMA card.
The matchup takes place Saturday, May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, streaming live on Netflix.
Event Details
- Event: MVP MMA 1: Rousey vs Carano
- Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Location: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
- Broadcast: Netflix
- Co-Main Event: Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry
The event is also being promoted as Netflix’s first major live MMA card, adding even more attention to an already unusual lineup.
Why Diaz vs Perry Feels Like a Real Fight Fan Matchup
While the card is officially headlined by Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano, many fans believe Diaz vs Perry is the fight most likely to deliver pure chaos.
Both fighters built reputations through aggression, toughness, and violence rather than careful point fighting.
Diaz returns to MMA after years spent competing in boxing matches against names like Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal.
Meanwhile, Perry reinvented himself in BKFC, becoming one of bare-knuckle fighting’s biggest stars through brutal wins over fighters such as:
- Luke Rockhold
- Eddie Alvarez
- Jeremy Stephens
Now the two finally collide in a matchup many fans are calling the “real BMF fight.”
Nate Diaz Continues to Be One of MMA’s Most Unique Personalities
Love him or hate him, Diaz has always moved differently from most fighters.
Even outside the UFC, the Stockton native continues generating massive attention without needing a championship belt, promotional push, or carefully scripted moments.
That authenticity remains one of the biggest reasons fans continue following him years after his last UFC appearance.
And judging by the reaction to the open workout, Nate Diaz still knows exactly how to steal the spotlight during fight week.
