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Nick Diaz Goes on Dark Side of the Cage
The episode, titled Nick Diaz vs. the World, is part of the new docuseries shedding light on the darker, untold stories of MMA. For the first time, Diaz himself sits down to reflect on the hospital brawl and the turbulent events that followed. The inclusion of both Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs provides fans with unparalleled insight into what led to the altercation—and what really went down.
Series executive producer Tim Healy shared his excitement about getting Diaz on camera:“[Diaz] talked about the fight in the hospital with Joe Riggs, and he speaks about it in person. I think people are going to get a kick out of that story. I think a lot of people probably will.”
The Hospital Brawl That Became MMA Lore
After losing a unanimous decision to Riggs at UFC 57, Nick Diaz was far from finished. Both fighters found themselves in the same Las Vegas hospital for post-fight treatment, where their animosity boiled over into a full-blown fistfight—complete with shouting, shoving, and punches flying in the ER. The incident, while earning Diaz more attention, also cemented his reputation as one of MMA’s most unpredictable personalities.
The fallout from that night marked a pivotal moment in Diaz’s career. Though he was released from the UFC shortly thereafter, Diaz’s cult-like fanbase only grew as he tore through competition in promotions like Pride and Strikeforce. His unconventional behavior, both inside and outside the cage, became a cornerstone of his persona, turning him into one of the sport's most polarizing figures.
Marijuana, Suspensions, and the Diaz Philosophy
The episode also delves into the controversial role marijuana has played in Diaz’s life and career. Few fighters have been as closely associated with cannabis as Nick and his brother Nate, but the elder Diaz’s struggles with drug suspensions paint a complicated picture.
Nick’s five-year suspension for marijuana use after his UFC 183 fight against Anderson Silva in 2015 remains one of the most shocking punishments in MMA history. Though the ban was later reduced to 18 months, the damage had been done. As Diaz recounts in the series, marijuana was his alternative to traditional medication for attention deficit disorder (ADD). It was more than a recreational choice—it was a way of life, misunderstood and vilified by the sport’s governing bodies.
“I didn’t know there was anything against it in the rules,” Diaz recalls in an exclusive clip from the series, referencing his first suspension in 2007 after a win over Takanori Gomi was overturned. “I wasn’t looking. I wasn’t asking questions.”
The Making of Dark Side of the Cage
Getting Nick Diaz to sit for an interview was no easy feat, as Healy admitted. Despite initial doubts, Diaz eventually agreed after six months of persistent requests, spending nearly three hours reflecting on his career in an intimate and revealing session.
“Nick being Nick, he decided that it was something he wanted to do,” Healy said. “And after six months of chasing him, he showed up in Houston, Texas, and sat down.”
This rare introspection offers a glimpse into the mind of one of MMA’s most enigmatic figures. While technically still an active UFC fighter, Diaz’s career has largely been defined by his years outside the cage, from his Strikeforce reign to his battles with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
A Glimpse into Diaz’s Legacy
Nick Diaz’s story is a testament to the chaos, brilliance, and controversy that have shaped MMA as a sport. Dark Side of the Cage not only chronicles the ER brawl that immortalized him in MMA lore but also revisits his long fight against the system.
As the only active fighter featured in the series’ first season, Diaz stands out as a figure who refuses to conform, embodying the raw spirit of MMA. Whether it’s fighting in the octagon, in a hospital ER, or against unjust suspensions, Nick Diaz remains a fighter in every sense of the word.
For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this episode of Dark Side of the Cage offers a compelling portrait of a man who has always been willing to go to war—wherever the battlefield may be.