Josh Thomson Claims Nate Diaz and Chris Avila Turned Down Fights With Him for Netflix Return

The combat sports world is currently buzzing with the kind of drama that usually only happens inside the cage, but this time, the fight is happening in the boardroom and on podcast mics. For those of us keeping a close eye on the San Jose scene, this hits a bit closer to home. We’re talking about the “West Coast gangster” persona that Nate Diaz has worn like a second skin for decades—a brand built on toughness, indifference to authority, and a refusal to play the corporate game. But according to Josh Thomson, that image might be hitting a few cracks as the sport pivots toward a modern era of streaming giants and massive payouts.

The catalyst here is the upcoming Most Valuable Promotions event at the Inuit Dome, which is set to air live on Netflix. It’s a massive shift in how MMA is consumed. We’re moving away from the traditional UFC pay-per-view model and into a space where visibility is measured by streaming algorithms. Nate Diaz, ever the disruptor, has leaned into this, turning down a potential UFC return to face Mike Perry on the Netflix card. While the move makes sense from a “fighter first” perspective, it has opened the door for some old ghosts to return. Specifically, Josh Thomson, the man who holds the distinction of being the first person to ever finish Diaz.

The High Stakes of the Netflix Transition and the Thomson Grudge

When you look at the mechanics of this deal, it’s not just about who is fighting whom; it’s about the leverage. Most Valuable Promotions is attempting to carve out a space that blends traditional MMA with the spectacle of celebrity-driven events. By securing a spot on Netflix, the promotion is essentially bypassing the traditional gatekeepers of the sport. However, this transition hasn’t been without its frictions. While Diaz is locked in for the Mike Perry bout, Josh Thomson reveals a much messier behind-the-scenes negotiation.

Thomson, a former Strikeforce lightweight champion, claims he was told he needed to “check a box” to gain the matchup he wanted. In the world of high-level fight booking, that usually means taking a “tune-up” fight or satisfying a promoter’s need for a specific name on the card. Thomson suggested he could fight one of Diaz’s teammates first to prove his activity level, given he’d been inactive for a while. This is where the narrative takes a turn. According to Thomson, both Diaz and his teammate, Chris Avila, turned down the opportunity to face him.

For a city like San Jose, which has been a bedrock for MMA through the days of Strikeforce and early UFC events at the California Theatre, this rivalry is legendary. The 2013 bout where Thomson stopped Diaz with a head kick remains a pivotal moment in the sport’s history. Now, Thomson is using his Weighing In podcast to call out the “gangster” rhetoric. He finds it ironic that fighters who lean so heavily into a tough-guy image would avoid a 47-year-old veteran who hasn’t fought in seven years. It’s a classic clash of egos: the legacy of the finish versus the current branding of the “outlaw” fighter.

The Chris Avila Pivot and the “Gangster” Label

The situation with Chris Avila adds another layer of complexity. Instead of the proposed clash with Thomson, Avila was matched with Brandon Jenkins for the May 16 event. To Thomson, this wasn’t just a booking change; it was a strategic avoidance. He argues that choosing an “easier” fight over a seasoned veteran contradicts the extremely identity the Diaz camp promotes. This isn’t just about a missed fight; it’s about the perceived authenticity of the “West Coast” fighting culture.

When you dive into the local MMA landscape, you see this tension often. There is a constant struggle between the purity of the sport—fighting the toughest available opponent—and the business of fighting, where risk management is key to longevity and earnings. By choosing Perry over Thomson or Jenkins over Thomson, the camp is playing the business game, even if it leaves them open to accusations of being “not gangsters.”

Navigating the Business of Combat Sports in San Jose

This public spat highlights a larger trend: the professionalization of the “independent” fighter. As fighters move away from the UFC’s restrictive contracts and toward platforms like Netflix, they are essentially becoming their own CEOs. They have to manage their brands, negotiate their own deals, and handle the fallout of public disputes. This shift creates a new set of needs for athletes and managers in the South Bay area.

Given my background in professional directory curation and sports analysis, I’ve seen that when this kind of high-stakes volatility hits the local sports community, athletes often find themselves under-equipped for the non-fighting side of the business. If you’re operating in the San Jose combat sports circuit and find yourself navigating complex contracts or recovering from the physical toll of a long career, you can’t just rely on a gym coach. You need a specialized support system to handle the “macro” side of your career.

If these industry shifts are impacting your professional trajectory or your physical health here in the San Jose area, here are the three types of local professionals Make sure to be prioritizing:

Combat Sports Contract Attorneys

With the rise of “fighter first” contracts and streaming deals, you need legal counsel who understands the nuances of intellectual property and broadcast rights. Look for attorneys who specialize in sports law and have a proven track record with independent contractors, not just corporate firms. They should be able to explain “exit clauses” and “image rights” in plain English.

Sports-Specific Physical Therapy Specialists

For veterans like Thomson or those returning from long hiatuses, general PT isn’t enough. You need specialists who understand the specific biomechanics of MMA—specifically head trauma recovery and joint stability for grapplers. Look for clinics that utilize advanced modalities like blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy and have experience working with professional athletes.

Performance Nutritionists & Weight Cut Consultants

The danger of the “comeback” fight often lies in the weight cut. As fighters age, the metabolic cost of hitting a weight class increases. Look for certified sports dietitians who focus on “performance-based” cutting rather than just starvation. They should provide a data-driven approach to hydration and nutrient timing to ensure you don’t enter the cage depleted.

Whether you are a fighter trying to build a brand or a fan following the fallout of the Diaz-Thomson rivalry, it’s clear that the business of fighting is becoming as complex as the fights themselves. The move to Netflix is just the beginning of a larger disruption in how we view the “gangster” of the octagon.

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