Former UFC Star Nate Diaz Wanted for Second-Degree Battery

The New Orleans Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for former UFC star Nate Diaz on suspicion of second-degree battery. Diaz was involved in a brawl last week on Bourbon Street following a Misfits boxing card in the city. According to police spokesperson Karen Boudrie, witnesses alerted police to a white male who was believed to be unconscious. Diaz is not in custody at the moment.

Video Footage of the Incident

A video that surfaced on social media over the weekend appeared to show Diaz choking YouTube personality Rodney Petersen unconscious in the middle of a melee with several others. Petersen confronted Diaz, who locked Petersen in a guillotine choke submission standing up until Petersen was unconscious. Diaz then let Petersen drop to the street below, where Petersen hit his head on the pavement.

Response from Diaz’s Attorney

Diaz’s attorney, Walter Becker, has been in contact with court authorities in New Orleans. Becker is looking forward to presenting all of the facts about this incident to the District Attorney which clearly demonstrate that Petersen aggressively pursued Nate with the intention of engaging him and once doing so, Nate acted entirely in self-defense.

Background on Diaz and Petersen

Diaz, who departed the UFC last year after fighting out of his contract, is scheduled to face YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul, brother of Logan, in a big-money boxing grudge match in August. Petersen, who is known for his resemblance to fellow influencer Logan Paul, has combat sports experience. He is 1-0 as a pro boxer, has a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has fought in MMA several times as an amateur, according to online records. Diaz was at the event to support his longtime teammate Chris Avila, who competed on the Misfits card, defeating Paul Bamba. Diaz got into an altercation at the venue earlier in the night with Chase DeMoor, a reality show star who fought on the card. Diaz threw a water bottle at DeMoor and the two were separated. DeMoor said in a video posted to Twitter that Diaz and his team jumped him after the fights.