27 April 2023 , 15:09
869
0
Nate Diaz has turned himself into police after being charged with second-degree battery for his alleged involvement in a street brawl - which he said was self defence.
An arrest warrant for Diaz, 38, was issued in New Orleans earlier this week after he scuffled with Logan Paul lookalike Rodney Petersen, 34, last weekend. Diaz was in Louisiana to watch his teammate Chris Avila beat Paul Bamba at Misfits Boxing 6, but just hours after the influencer boxing event he was caught up in controversy.
The UFC star was filmed appearing to choke Petersen unconscious while kneeing him to the stomach, before dropping him to the ground and walking away. Petersen, who also has combat sports experience, claimed he suffered a bloody head injury in the scuffle after showing off his injuries on camera.
Diaz has since reported to a police station in New Orleans where he was booked in the early hours of Thursday morning. The UFC star's representative has since confirmed the details in a statement which read: “Nate voluntarily turned himself into the New Orleans Police Department this morning approximately at 7:10AM CT [Central Time]. We continue to look forward to presenting all the evidence and videos that show Nate was acting in self-defence.”
A statement from New Orleans police about the incident and charge against Diaz read: “At or about 2:10am 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 officers were able to disperse the crowd. Witness alerted the officers to a white male subject who was believed to be unconscious.
Logan Paul and KSI announce new partnership with UFC president Dana White
Nate Diaz was filmed choking Rodney Petersen unconscious in a street fight
An arrest warrant has since been issued for Diaz by New Orleans police"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."
Diaz is being hit with second-degree battery charge, a felony in the state of Louisiana that is punishable by up to eight years in prison. The 38-year-old is scheduled to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on August 5 in his first fight outside of the UFC since 2006 with the rivals set to face off for the first time on May 9.