UFC star Nate Diaz is credited with a slew of major fights in boxing during the past four years, including Floyd Mayweather's encounter with Conor McGregor.
In recent years, boxing has experienced a transitional period. Spectacular fights have attracted more attention to the sport than its purists would like.
Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz went to war at UFC 202 five years ago
McGregor was at the time a UFC champion in two divisions. The 2017 fight between Mayweather and McGregor triggered the trend, which has split opinion among fans and fighters alike.
On the fifth anniversary of the epic rematch with The Notorious's win, UFC fan favourite Diaz claimed that he should be the one to credit for the sport’s recent detour.
On Instagram, the youngest Diaz brother wrote: "The beginning of the super-fight age.
"You are welcome Floyd, the Paul sisters, and YouTubers all over the world.
"It's an entirely new age. I promised you that I was changing the game @arielhelwani.
"I may not get credit, but I'll take my motherf***in credit.
"Don't forget that Conor was my biggest opponent before I fought him."
McGregor, 36, defeated Diaz in a rematch. He lost via majority decision, a verdict that he still contests to this day.
He tweeted recently: "He finished off with a choke."
"That last fight didn’t even thangs [sic]]. Gucci is still ahead, but he's not far behind.
Favorite Diaz was last seen in action against the in-form Brit Leon Edwards at UFC 263 on June.
Rocky lost unanimously to Stockton's native Stockton, but Rocky was close to winning the fight in the fifth round.
The Ultimate Fighter Season Five winner said that he would happily box Jake Paul after his UFC contract expires.
Diaz answered a question about facing the Paul brothers, and was told of the praise Andre Ward had given him recently.
"It's wonderful to hear Andre Ward speak about [us].
"That's one the greatest boxing fights of all time, I think. That's the man, pound-for-pound.
"It's awesome that he recognizes me at all."
