The New Orleans Police Department issued an arrest warrant for former UFC star, Nate Diaz, on suspicion of second-degree battery, following a video that went viral over the weekend, where Diaz is shown choking a man unconscious.
MMA Fighting's Steven Marrocco was the first to report the news on Monday evening, after talking with NOPD spokesperson Karen A. Boudrie who also confirmed Diaz is currently not in custody. The 38-year-old Stockton, California native was involved in a brawl on Bourbon Street following a Misfits Boxing event on Friday night, where Logan Paul look-alike/Youtuber, Rodney Petersen, can be seen in the video engaging and confronting Diaz while a chaotic melee ensues around them. This leads to Diaz eventually choking Petersen out unconscious with a standing guillotine and letting him drop to the street below.
This is an alternate angle of the much-talked about street that happened on Friday in New Orleans. Paints a more complete picture of the madness going on. pic.twitter.com/TsvijWxTbo
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 25, 2023
Petersen posted a video to social media on Saturday, showing an alleged head injury he suffered from the altercation. According to online records, 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. The NOPD also released the following statement on the incident and charges against Diaz. If found guilty, Diaz could face up to eight years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine, which is the penalty in Louisiana for second-degree battery.
“At or about 2:10 am on Saturday, April 22- NOPD’s Bourbon Street. Promenade officers and supervisors were alerted to a large altercation in the 400 block of Bourbon St,” the statement read. “The officers were able to disperse the crowd. Witnesses alerted the officers to a white male subject who was believed to be unconscious. A short time later, the subject regained consciousness. Officers observed the subject was bleeding from the rear of his head and EMS was summoned to render aid. After investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Nate Diaz. He has been charged with second-degree battery. He is not in custody at this time.”
Diaz is scheduled to face social media star, turned pro boxer, Jake Paul, in a boxing match on August 5 in Dallas, Texas. There is no word at this time from either fighter's representatives on if the charges against Diaz will postpone or potentially cancel the event.
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