Theo Von
Nate Diaz & Chris Avila | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Episode Summary
AI-generated · Mar 2026AI-generated summary — may contain inaccuracies. Not a substitute for the full episode or professional advice.
This episode features MMA icons Nate Diaz and Chris Avila, offering an unfiltered look into their lives, careers, and the evolving landscape of professional fighting. As they prepare for their upcoming Netflix fights, Diaz and Avila share their unique perspectives on everything from their Stockton origins to navigating the fight business outside of traditional promotions, providing raw insights into the mindset of a professional warrior and their recent foray into acting in the movie "Bus Boys."
Diaz and Avila delve into their roots, detailing how they met at Diaz's father's tint shop when Avila was a teenager. They explain Stockton's profound influence on their fighting style and identity, underscoring why they fiercely represent the "209." The conversation touches on the infamous "Stockton slap," which Nate attributes to his brother Nick Diaz, demonstrating its psychological impact as a warning rather than a full-force punch. They also discuss the significance of authenticity and representing one's core identity, drawing parallels to other fighters and their hometowns.
The fighters provide a candid assessment of the physical and mental demands of their profession, including their views on CTE and their decision not to get vaccinated. Diaz passionately advocates for teaching jiu-jitsu in schools and to law enforcement, likening its importance to learning how to swim for self-defense and overall awareness. He recounts how jiu-jitsu helped him overcome social anxiety as a teenager, fostering communication skills and self-discipline through training with older peers like cops and bakers. They also touch on the constant grind of training and the hardest aspect of fighting: dieting.
Diaz explains his strategic decision to fight Mike Perry on the May 16th Netflix card, a choice driven by a desire to challenge top-tier opponents who are "on the uprise" rather than those like Conor McGregor, whom he views as currently struggling. He expresses his ambition to fight Jake Paul in an MMA bout and his dedication to building his own promotion, "Real Fight Incorporated." The episode also covers Chris Avila's upcoming MMA fight against Brandon Jenkins on the same Netflix card, and both fighters' shared experience acting in the new movie "Bus Boys," an experience they initially viewed as work but ultimately found enjoyable and eye-opening, with Nate now aspiring to play a "good guy" role in the future.
Listeners will gain a profound understanding of the dedication, strategic thinking, and personal philosophy required to thrive as a professional fighter today. The episode offers unique insights into how these athletes navigate the entrepreneurial aspects of their careers, from choosing fights on emerging platforms to building their own promotions, all while maintaining a deep connection to their origins and the core principles of martial arts.
👤 Who Should Listen
- Die-hard MMA and UFC fans, especially followers of Nate Diaz and Chris Avila.
- Aspiring combat sports athletes and coaches interested in the realities of professional fighting and training philosophies.
- Entrepreneurs and individuals curious about navigating traditional industries versus new opportunities in sports and entertainment.
- Anyone interested in the unique culture and mindset stemming from Stockton's '209' fight scene.
- Listeners who appreciate candid, unfiltered discussions about fighter careers, personal challenges, and controversial topics in sports.
- Viewers of Theo Von's and David Spade's movie 'Bus Boys,' curious about the fighters' acting experience and behind-the-scenes stories.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 1.Nate Diaz and Chris Avila are headlining a May 16th Netflix fight card, with Diaz facing Mike Perry and Avila fighting Brandon Jenkins in an MMA bout.
- 2.The iconic "Stockton slap" was originated by Nate's brother, Nick Diaz, during his second UFC fight against Robbie Lawler.
- 3.Nate Diaz strongly advocates for teaching jiu-jitsu in schools and to law enforcement, viewing it as a necessary life skill akin to learning to swim, crucial for self-defense and personal development.
- 4.Diaz chose his fight with Mike Perry on Netflix over larger UFC offers because he prefers to fight the "best of the best" when they are "on the uprise," rather than opponents like a currently struggling Conor McGregor.
- 5.Nate Diaz plans to fight Jake Paul in MMA after his bout with Mike Perry and is actively building his own promotion called "Real Fight Incorporated" to promote real MMA fights.
- 6.Both Nate Diaz and Chris Avila confirmed they are not vaccinated, with Diaz humorously challenging others to "vaccinate yourself."
- 7.Dieting is identified by both Nate Diaz and Chris Avila as the most challenging aspect of being a professional fighter.
- 8.Nate Diaz expressed his disdain for "fighter analysts" who criticize active fighters without having achieved comparable career success, specifically calling out Daniel Cormier for perceived hypocrisy.
💡 Key Concepts Explained
The Stockton Slap
An open-handed strike to the face, popularized by Nick Diaz (Nate's brother) during his UFC career. Nate Diaz explains it as a psychological tactic, a form of warning or assertion of dominance without necessarily engaging in a full-blown punch, stemming from real-life experiences of owning someone with a slap without a fight escalating.
Fighting on the Uprise
Nate Diaz's philosophy for selecting opponents, emphasizing the importance of fighting individuals who are at the peak of their performance or actively building their careers and momentum. He states he prefers not to fight someone who is "on their last dying leg" or seeking a comeback story, aiming instead for competitive fights against the "best of the best" when they are also performing at their highest level.
Jiu-Jitsu as Life Skill
Nate Diaz's belief that jiu-jitsu should be a mandatory skill taught in schools and to law enforcement, viewing it as essential as learning to swim. He argues it provides critical self-defense capabilities, fosters mental stability, helps overcome social anxiety, and promotes overall awareness and confidence in navigating life's challenges.
The 'Grooming' Joke (Theo Von)
A running humorous remark initiated by Theo Von after Nate Diaz recounted meeting Chris Avila when Avila was 14-15 and Diaz was an adult fighter. Von playfully accuses Diaz of "grooming" Avila, a joke that reappears when discussing Michael Jackson and Elvis's daughter, and Theo's movie. It serves as a lighthearted, recurring gag throughout the episode.
⚡ Actionable Takeaways
- →Consider incorporating jiu-jitsu into your routine for self-defense and mental stability, as Nate Diaz suggests it fosters awareness and confidence in various social situations.
- →Embrace and represent your origins and culture, understanding that where you come from forms the "core" of who you are and what you do, as emphasized by Nate Diaz.
- →When facing high-stakes situations, adopt a mindset of survival and preparedness rather than excitement, as Nate Diaz describes his approach to fighting: "get in there and get out of it alive."
- →Challenge yourself regularly to expand your capabilities, similar to how Theo Von adopted Joe Rogan's advice to double his podcast output, leading to longer and more engaging conversations.
- →Explore alternative platforms and entrepreneurial ventures in your field if traditional paths don't align with your strategic goals, mirroring Nate Diaz's move to Netflix and his plans for "Real Fight Incorporated."
- →Reflect on the value of constructive criticism from genuinely experienced individuals, distinguishing it from commentary by those lacking real-world experience, a point Nate Diaz robustly makes regarding fight analysts.
⏱ Timeline Breakdown
💬 Notable Quotes
“"The feeling is just get in there and get out of it alive and don't fuck up. So fuck excited."”
“"I'm not trying to go kill off Conor when he's on his last dying fuckin' leg. Yeah, literally. That's fucked up."”
“"I'm bigger than fighting some no-name ass motherfucker in UFC or somebody on a down spill. I'm like, but as far as far as UFC is concerned, I'm fuckin' in love with UFC. That's my shit. That's where I come from."”
“"You're a great wrestler, DC. You can't fight for shit. You win fights, but you're not you're a fuckin' big old pussy. Remember, he cried."”
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Nate Diaz
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