Nate Diaz’s attorney claims the MMA star acted in self-defense when he was seen strangling a man in New Orleans this weekend.
Walter Becker, Diaz’s lawyer, made the statement in response to an arrest warrant issued for his client after footage of the Bourbon Street brawl went viral over the weekend. Diaz is wanted for second-degree battery, which carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison and a $2,000 fine.
“Nate’s attorney, Walter Becker, can confirm that Nate has been notified of the warrant and that Becker has been in contact with authorities in New Orleans,” Diaz spokesperson Zach Rosenfield said.
Nate’s attorney looks forward to presenting all the facts about this incident to the District Attorney, which clearly show that a trained hunter named Rodney Petersen aggressively pursued Nate with the intent to turn him on and once Nate did, he acted completely in self-defense.
“No further comment is being made at this time.”
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
Nate Diaz reportedly got an arrest warrant based on a video of his recent brawl
MMA star Diaz was seen strangling Rodney Peterson during a street brawl in New Orleans last week
Diaz was in New Orleans at a Misfits Boxing event, where his friend and colleague Chris Avila defeated Paul Bamba.
After causing a brief mele in the arena by throwing a water bottle at reality star turned boxer Chase DeMoors, Diaz found himself in another physical confrontation on Bourbon Street later that night.
There, Diaz choked Rodney Peterson, a boxer with a 1-0 professional record.
“Saturday, April 22 at or about 2:10 a.m. – NOPD’s Bourbon Street,” New Orleans police spokesman Karen Boudrie told MMA Junkie. Boardwalk officers and supervisors were alerted to a major altercation in the 400 block of Bourbon St.
The officers managed to disperse the crowd. A witness alerted officers to a white male subject who was believed to be unconscious. A short time later, the victim regained consciousness. Officers saw the subject bleeding from the back of his head and EMS was called to assist.’
Diaz, who is set to fight Jake Paul in a boxing match in August, was seen on video putting his arm around the Peterson’s neck, leaving him cold in the street.
“I don’t know what the hell I did with Nate Diaz,” Peterson said in a video posted to Twitter.
“But I’ll tell you what, I’m going to knock him out when I know he’s coming. You caught me off guard, dude.
‘What? “Did you think I was Logan,” said Peterson, who bears a resemblance to Jake Paul’s brother, Logan.
Rodney Peterson showed off the nasty head wound he received in the altercation
A woman nearby was heard begging Diaz and the man to “stop” before Diaz left the man on the sidewalk.
In another video of UFC boss Dana White reacting to the viral clip, he is heard asking if the man who was knocked out by Diaz is Logan Paul, Jake’s brother.
He then adds, “He knocked him out!” Whoever that is knocked him out.
“That guy’s head bounced like a basketball.”
Holding his head in one hand, White concluded, “He’s being denounced as an asshole.”
He found an unlikely ally in Conor McGregor, with the Irishman tweeting: ‘Hahaha Nate is going on a rampage tonight! Let’s go Nate! haha.’
Diaz found an unlikely ally on social media when old foe Conor McGregor wrote, “Let’s go Nate!”
Diaz has not fought professionally since September 2022 when he fought Donald Ferguson at UFC 279, a fight he eventually won.
From 36 fights he has 21 wins, but he hasn’t lost his toughness – as can be seen on the streets of New Orleans.
Diaz previously caused a scuffle in the venue when he threw a bottle of water at reality TV star Chase DeMoor, according to MMA Fighting.
He was ringside and while it’s unclear what triggered the altercation, Diaz was furious when he turned around.
The pair clashed, and DeMoor later warned on Twitter “Next time don’t run” in a clear shot at Diaz.
“Nate Diaz decided to get mad and throw a prime bottle at me, that’s cute brother,” DeMoor tweeted.
“Next time don’t run. And quit your nights at the club trying to use your dried up MMA career to attract college girls while you’re in New Orleans.”