When Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz meet in the squared circle on Saturday night, it will continue a recent trend of combat events leaning away from the sporting aspects in favor of entertainment value. Ahead of his commentary duties for “The Last Man Standing” pay-per-view event, Shawn Porter spoke to Ringside Intel about why this could be the most sensible pairing that has come from this sub-genre.
“This could probably be the most evenly matched,” Porter said. “It makes sense. It makes more sense than any one of these that we’ve seen. More than even Roy Jones and Mike Tyson. These guys are at the same level, the same age, same accolades. The list goes on and they’re getting out of the Octagon and getting into the ring. This one makes sense for a lot of reasons.”
Also Read: Shane Mosley Jr – Press Conference Feuds Are ‘A Bit Foolish’
Despite that endorsement of the rematch to their UFC 244 fight, the former two-time welterweight champion hopes that Diaz shows more than he did in his professional boxing debut against Jake Paul last summer.
“I was ringside when Nate Diaz fought Jake Paul. He wasn’t turned on in the fight,” he said. “He was entertaining. He took a lot of punches. He was slow the whole night and didn’t let his hands go,” he said. In his eyes, if Nate Diaz “comes in and throws his hands, this is going to be a fun one to watch,” Porter continued.
Shawn Porter: Stipe Would Have “Lit It Up”
While all eyes will be focused on the fighting pride of Stockton and Miami, Shawn Porter acknowledges a fellow Ohio native who could’ve cashed in on the crossover combat craze. When asked about other MMA fighters who might be able to see success in the sweet science, Porter name-dropped former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
“I’ve seen Stipe in boxing matches. My dad had him in boxing matches. We’ve fought on the same boxing shows. I know for a fact that if he was younger and this was going on, he would’ve made the transition to the ring. He would’ve lit it up at heavyweight,” says Porter.
Also Read: UFC tonight – Fight card, betting odds, and watch times for Saturday’s UFC event
As far as what’s next for Miocic, who hasn’t competed since losing the belt to Francis Ngannou by knockout in March of 2021, all signs point to a fight with current champ Jon Jones. In Porter’s eyes, that’s the only fight that’s right for his fellow Cleveland native.
“I get it, that fight makes sense for both guys. If it’s not Jones then I just don’t want it to be anybody,” he said. “Enough is enough. He’s got a dangerous day job being a fireman. That’s enough. I just think you get to a point where it’s time to move on.”
