Duke Roufus: Both Diaz Brothers Tried To Jump Anthony Pettis In A Nightclub Once

The co-main event of UFC 241 this weekend pits two fan favorites against each other when former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis takes on Nate Diaz in a highly anticipated 170-pound battle. The two fighters have a longstanding personal feud and Pettis’ long-time coach Duke Roufus made some bold claims recently, suggesting that Diaz is jealous of his fighter and once tried to attack him in a nightclub.

Roufus appeared on the latest edition of ESPN’s Ariel Helwani Show and said he understands why Pettis has made this bout against Diaz personal after copping years of abuse from him as a result of being a star fighter (via LowKickMMA.com).

“For years Nate has just attacked him,” Roufus said. “Not only verbally, but even in a nightclub, they tried to jump him, him and Nick. It gets to a point where stuff just boils over. I get the perspective of where Anthony is coming from. To me, Anthony reminds me a lot of Oscar De La Hoya or ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, he’s that star fighter, he’s got that charisma.”

Roufus said he’s looking forward to seeing Pettis put on a show against Diaz and believes fights where the opponent tries to intimidate his fighter are when fans will get to see the best version of “Showtime”.

“A lot of guys just – it’s not even professional, it’s more, these guys are jealous, envy of him,” Roufus said. “It causes a weird energy. Like Fernando Vargas tried to bully De La Hoya, De La Hoya knocked him out. Like Duran tried to do twice against ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard put it on Duran the second time.

“Like Mayorga tried to do to Oscar De La Hoya. So many guys try to bully Anthony, I love it, because it brings out the best in Anthony. Looking forward to it, sometimes fights are personal, and those are the fun ones if you ask me.”