Nate Diaz: Training injury to blame for UFC on FOX 13 loss to Rafael dos Anjos

PHOENIX – This has probably been a week that Nate Diaz would just as soon forget about entirely.

You’d have to be living under an MMA rock to have missed what went down, but we’ll recap it for you just in case.

On Wednesday, three days ahead of his UFC on FOX 13 co-main event against Rafael dos Anjos, and in his first fight in 13 months after a year’s worth of back-and-forth, publicly and privately, with his UFC bosses Nate Diaz missed an open workout session for fans and the media. He later told MMAjunkie he was sleeping when the UFC called to remind him.

On Thursday, he was there right on time for a private media session at U.S. Airways Center. And when asked by MMAjunkie about the UFC’s recent signing of Phil “CM Punk” Brooks, Diaz went miles beyond what anyone could’ve figured he’d say.

On Friday, he missed weight by nearly five pounds, accepting the loss of 20 percent of his purse rather than make the lightweight limit.

Then there was Saturday. Diaz (17-10 MMA, 12-8 UFC) was beat from pillar to post by Rafael dos Anjos (23-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC), who even took a 10-8 round from two of the judges. It was arguably as lopsided a beating as Diaz ever has had.

Afterward, he said a training camp injury was to blame.

“I came here to fight and to win,” Diaz said. “I ran into some issues in camp, and I wish I could’ve fought and won. I know what I can do. I had to come and get paid. I had some issues and was injured. I was not in the best type of shape I could be in. I’m here to fight, always. I’m here, you see me. I’m not like other guys pulling out of fights with injuries. Regardless, I’m going to be here, and show up and show what I can do. I just wish I could’ve been in better shape and had better sparring. Next time. I’ll be here next time. I want to get the job and make it look right.”

Diaz undoubtedly fell back into the middle of the pack in the lightweight title picture. But dos Anjos earned a title shot against current champ Anthony Pettis.

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 13, check out the UFC Events section of the site.