Nick Diaz was born in Stockton, California, to his parents, Robert and Melissa Diaz. He has two siblings: his brother Nate Diaz, who is also an MMA star, and a sister named Nina.
Growing up in poverty, the Diaz siblings faced a troubled childhood. Nick has often described his neighborhood as a place where you wouldn’t like to be.
Highlights
- Nick Diaz grew up along with his two siblings in severe poverty in a rough neighborhood in Stockton, California.
- The Diaz siblings were mostly raised by their mother, Melissa, who worked multiple jobs.
- Their father, Robert Diaz, was rarely around, often staying away from the family for long periods.
Nick Diaz began his professional MMA career in 2001, just after he turned 18.
Some of his major victories include defeating BJ Penn at UFC 137 in 2011 and beating Evangelista Santos by submission at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg in 2011.
The California native was supposed to return to the octagon at UFC 310 against Vicente Luque, but the fight was canceled due to concerns about his well-being
Melissa Diaz Raised Nick And Siblings In Poverty
Nick Diaz and his siblings, Nate Diaz and Nina Diaz, were mostly raised by their mother, Melissa Diaz.
As mentioned, Nick grew up in a poor and rough neighborhood in Stockton, California, and faced poverty.
Essentially Sports reported that Nick often described their neighborhood as a place you wouldn’t want to be.
In addition to financial struggles, Nick and his siblings grew up virtually without a father.
There’s a saying, “In a home without a father, every shadow seems a little longer and every night a little colder.”
Having one another during tough times can make a world of difference. Sadly, Nick’s and Nate’s father, Robert Diaz, fell short in this regard.
According to reports, Robert couldn’t fully meet his family’s needs and was often absent for long periods.
Due to this, Melissa Diaz had to bear all the burden alone. She mainly worked as a waitress. She also took on other jobs to support her family.
However, her income would still be insufficient to sustain the family.
Despite these challenges, Nick and Nate started training in karate and aikido at a young age, which paved the way for their success in MMA.
Nick Diaz’s Bizarre Behavior Issues Have Raised Concerns
The former IFC welterweight champion was supposed to make a comeback at UFC 310 against Vicente Luque, but the fight was canceled.
Concerning footage showing Diaz trying to set the grass on fire went viral recently.
Following this, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, a former rival, has offered his help to Nick.
“We all saw what we saw. I won’t dwell on it too bad, but I think that people in Nick’s life need to gather around, anybody who ever made some money off him needs to come circle around and help this guy out.”
Jason “Mayhem” Miller
Sean O’Malley has also voiced his concerns about Diaz’s alleged d*ug addiction.
Due to his recent behavior and health problems, Diaz’s future in the UFC is uncertain.
Moreover, Nick’s girlfriend, Kay, shared a cryptic message on Instagram. In her post, she wrote,
“Drug addiction doesn’t last forever; you either find sobriety or it takes your life.”
Additional Information
- As reported by Celebrity Net Worth, Nick Diaz’s net worth is $3 million.
- The MMA fighter has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Kay, who is a bartender and former FSHN Model.
- Nick and his younger brother, Nate, teach Brazilian jiu-jitsu at a gym in Lodi, California.
