Nate Diaz hits back at critics who claim he is showing signs of brain damage ahead of Jake Paul fight

Nate Diaz insists he’s fighting fit ahead of his boxing debut.

The UFC legend is set to lace up the gloves for the first time professionally when he takes on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Ohio on August 5.

Upon his exit from MMA’s premier promotion in 2022, Jorge Masvidal branded Diaz a ‘borderline vegetable’ after his legendary 15-year run saw him take an extraordinary amount of headshots.

‘Gamebred’ joined a group of fans expressing concerns about the 38-year-old who recently hit back at claims he is showing signs of brain damage ahead of his fight with Paul.

“These f****** are talking about how I talk, and I’ve got f****** CTE or some s***", Diaz said on .

“I’m like, ‘Bro, I’ve been talking this way the whole motherf****** time.’ It’s got nothing to do with getting hit or none of that. I’m smarter now than ever.”

Diaz claims he doesn’t take as many shots as people think he does and insists he has the ability to evade Paul’s power punches when they fight next month.

“I don’t really be eating punches like they say,” he added.

“I bleed because of the forearms and elbows and s*** cut me up but like I said, I’ve been in a boxing gym and it might not look like it but I roll with a lot of these punches that anybody lands on me.

“I’m not just walking in like a meathead into punches. I’ve never been knocked out. I’ve never even really been f****** stunned stupid or nothing.”

‘The Problem Child’ is set for his first 10-round fight and Diaz believes his elite-level cardio could be the difference on fight night.

“As many [rounds] as it takes [to get a finish], but I’ll tell you the longer it goes, I’m going to make sure it’s a living hell the whole time,” he concluded.

“I think that he’s got a long night ahead of him. I do as well but I’m not afraid of it. I’m ready to rock and roll.”