How Good Is Nate Diaz at Jiu Jitsu

What Belt Is Nate Diaz in Jiu Jitsu

Nate Diaz is a third degree BJJ black belt under Cesar Gracie. He received his first degree black belt in 2012 after twelve years of training and was awarded his third degree in 2021 with cousin Renzo Gracie in attendance.

The long time to black belt is a feature, not a bug. Cesar Gracie has a reputation for promoting slowly, and the Diaz brothers are among the most proven sport BJJ practitioners in UFC history.

Diaz’s Coach and Cesar Gracie Jiu Jitsu

Cesar Gracie is a BJJ black belt under Robson Gracie, one of the most prolific MMA and BJJ coaches in the United States, and the long time mentor of both Diaz brothers. Nate trained with Cesar from his early teens at the Cesar Gracie Academy in Northern California.

Nate also trains out of the Nick Diaz Academy in Stockton, California, which his brother opened as a BJJ school extension of the family’s MMA career.

How Nate’s Jiu Jitsu Shows Up in the Octagon

Diaz has ten UFC submission wins, which is in the all time elite tier. The most famous is his second round rear naked choke over Conor McGregor at UFC 196, which sent shockwaves through the lightweight and welterweight divisions and remains one of the defining grappling moments of the modern UFC era.

Beyond McGregor, Diaz has finished Jim Miller, Donald Cerrone, Anthony Pettis, Michael Johnson and others with submissions. His guard is dangerous, his guillotine is elite, and his conditioning lets him hunt submissions into the championship rounds when opponents are exhausted.

Nate’s Sport BJJ Credentials

Unlike most UFC fighters who earn BJJ black belts late in their careers as a reward, Nate has competed in sport BJJ and grappling events throughout his career and holds medals in gi and no gi competition. The belt is not a UFC ceremony. It is earned through decades of mat time.

The Verdict on Nate Diaz’s Jiu Jitsu

A third degree black belt under one of the most respected MMA BJJ coaches in the world, ten UFC submission finishes including the McGregor fight, real sport BJJ competition credentials. Nate’s grappling is one of the defining legacies of the Stockton fight scene.

Our rating, 9 out of 10. Just below the Oliveira and Maia specialist tier, firmly in the elite all time UFC grappler conversation.

Part of our ongoing series ranking the BJJ of every notable UFC fighter and BJJ practicing celebrity. See the full Fighter BJJ Profiles index.