Nate Diaz Says He Fought Injured at UFC on Fox 13: ‘I Had to Come and Get Paid’

---

Just in case his performance wasn’t indication enough, Nate Diaz admits that he was not at his best at UFC on Fox 13.

The Stockton, Calif., native was not competitive in losing a unanimous decision to Rafael dos Anjos in Saturday’s co-main event at the US Airways Center in Phoenix. That disappointing ending capped off an eventful week where Diaz no-showed for an open workout, blasted the CM Punk signing in a rant to media and failed to make weight.

In a more ideal situation, Diaz might not have stepped into the Octagon at all against dos Anjos.

“I came here to fight and to win. I ran into some issues in camp, and I wish I could've fought and won,” Diaz said in a post-fight interview. “I know what I can do. I had to come and get paid. I had some issues and was injured.”

Diaz was battered by leg kicks from the outset, and as a result, struggled to implement his trademark volume boxing effectively against dos Anjos. While there was some of his usual taunting and baiting, it lacked its usual impact with virtually no offense behind it.

While he did not specify the nature of his injuries, the Cesar Gracie product attributed the lackluster effort to being unable to prepare properly during training. Still, pulling out of the fight never crossed his mind.

“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,” Diaz said. “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.”

UFC President Dana White has his doubts about Diaz’s commitment to the sport.

“It was definitely an interesting week for him,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “He wants to make more money, yet he keeps doing things to make himself lose more money, which doesn’t make sense to me at all.

“I think Nate’s in this position where he needs to go home, heal up and decide what he wants to do. Does he want to get serious and try to (make) a run, or does he want to retire?”