Nate Diaz calls Ilia Topuria 'lame' and a 'punching bag'

Nate Diaz turned Ilia Topuria's earlier insult back on him at the Ki MMA launch event, calling him “lame” and a “punching bag” in comments reported by MMA Fighting.

Nate Diaz has responded to criticism Ilia Topuria made about four months earlier, turning the insult back on him at Scott Coker's Ki MMA launch event in Los Angeles on 15 September 2026.

“He’s f*cking lame. He’s a punching bag. He called me a punching bag, he’s a f*cking punching bag,” Diaz said, as reported by MMA Fighting.

Diaz also compared the UFC's build-up of Topuria to its build-up of Conor McGregor.

Topuria lost his lightweight title and unbeaten record when Justin Gaethje beat him at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026.