Pro boxer not impressed with Nate Diaz after sparring session

Former lightweight title contender Nate Diaz is considered to have some of the best cardio in the UFC. 

But after a recent sparring session in preparation for his pro boxing debut against Jake Paul on Aug. 5 in Dallas, Texas, Diaz’s stamina was called into question by undefeated pro boxer Esquiva Falcao, an Olympic silver medalist with a 30-0 record, including 20 wins by knockout or TKO.

“At first I thought he was tired,” Falcao said, via MMA Fighting. “In the end it looked like he was dying. His fighting style is crazy. You look at him and say, ‘Oh, he’s tired,’ and then we started sparring. [Coach] Robert [Garcia] told me in the second round, ‘He’s tired already, hold back a little bit and keep the rhythm so he does at least 10 rounds.’ I held back and kept boxing and we did 12 rounds."

Diaz, who has a 21-13 MMA record with five wins via knockout or TKO, has a boxing background. 

He works with noted boxing instructor Richard Perez, and he’s trained with former pro boxers including former Olympian and WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion Andre Ward (32-0) and ex-IBF super welterweight champion Rodney Jones (37-4-1).