“I Cracked Him”- Rage-Driven Nick Diaz Confesses Infamous Hospital Fight With Joe Riggs After UFC 57

The 2006 UFC 57 fight between Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs was memorable for more than just the back-and-forth inside the Octagon. In fact, their infamous incident from outside the UFC is what is entrenched in MMA history as one of the most controversial moments ever. Why? Well, the duo got into a full-fledged brawl in a hospital emergency room. But what triggered it in the first place? Finally, Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs have come together to present their side of the story.

After their fierce welterweight fight, both competitors were taken to the hospital for treatment. But being the warriors that they are, instead of relaxing, the two got into a heated argument in the hallway. According to Riggs, it all started when Diaz and his brother Nate entered the hospital and immediately began taunting Riggs. Riggs was lying on a stretcher, hooked up to an IV when Diaz began taunting him for being unable to get out of bed. Diaz told Vice, “He’s like, “Well, I won. I won.” And I’m, “Oh yeah, f*****g look at you, motherf****r. “He was on a stretcher, and he was like (lying down).”

‘Diesel’ definitely did not back down. Instead, he criticized Diaz’s performance in the fight, telling him that he will soon be headed to a lower-tier organization. This insult appeared to hit Diaz where it hurt, and the next thing you know, he hit Riggs. Speaking of the moment, Riggs told Vice, “I kind of turn around and I hear like the climp, clomp of feet.” Proud of the moment, Diaz then added in the interview, “And I, and I, and I cracked him.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MMA Fighting (@mmafighting)

Riggs, taken off guard, ended up soiling himself during the altercation. With blood, IVs, and violence in the air, a few police officers were finally able to break up the fight. The aftermath of the incident was equally as chaotic, as both fighters left the hospital with more than just bodily injuries. Following the incident, Nick Diaz was released from the UFC. However, as we all know now, he is back in the promotion and is looking to make a comeback. While his fight with Vicente Luque got canceled, he is now looking for other ways of making money.

Nick Diaz is selling MMA memorabilia

The 41-year-old was set to make his long-awaited return in 2024, against Vicente Luque. The contest was originally set for August, but Diaz’s return fight was pushed back to December. However, despite the change in dates, the American fighter was pulled from the fight after a video of him went viral in which he is seen lighting something on fire while allegedly intoxicated. His girlfriend then disclosed that the fighter is struggling with addiction once again.

Taking to her social media, she wrote, “Drug addiction doesn’t last forever; you either find sobriety, or it takes your life.” Thankfully, his later stories from early January showed that he is doing much better again, and being able to go back to his training session. But his financial well-being is still in question as the fighter recently took to his Instagram stories to announce that he is selling autographed Strikeforce gloves.

Uploading pictures of his gloves, he provided the link to the website from where fans can purchase the merchandise. This made many fans wonder if the UFC fighter is suffering from financial troubles. Being a legend of the sport, his fans would hope that Nick Diaz manages to find a way out yet again. As for his return to the Octagon, that still remains a mystery. What do you think? Will we get to see him return anytime soon? Let us know in the comments.

The post “I Cracked Him”- Rage-Driven Nick Diaz Confesses Infamous Hospital Fight With Joe Riggs After UFC 57 appeared first on EssentiallySports.

English Spanish