Drake puts Conor McGregor on list of favourite fighters but controversially names UFC rival as all-time best
Drake has included Conor McGregor on his list of favourite UFC fighters but hesitated to name him as his all-time best. The rap superstar was recording a Christmas-themed live stream on Thursday night when he was asked about his favourite UFC fighters. Drake named McGregor’s UFC rival as his favourite fighter of all-time Drake was joined by renowned streamer Adin Ross for his live show branded as Drizzmas, which lasted over six hours and featured video calls with fans. During the stream, Ross pressed the 38-year-old Canadian on who he would select as his favourite UFC fighter of all time. “OK, I’m gonna answer this question strictly based on just somebody, who to me, is the most thorough,” Drake said in response. “You can’t get more thorough than this guy. I respect people who are where you’re from and nothing else can change you. “The money, the wins, nothing. So to me, it’s Nate [Diaz]. That’s my favorite fighter because Nate is crazy through and through. “Obviously, of course, I have other favourite fighters. I love Conor [McGregor] with all my heart… “I’m talking about if they were rappers who would I like listening to? That’s how I’m looking at it. “I’d listen to Conor and Nate. You can’t get more…Nate is just one of those people. Nate is gonna Nate.” Ross went on to confirm that UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is his favourite fighter of all time, while asserting that Diaz is ‘cool’. Drake is known for placing huge bets in the biggest sporting events of the year, especially in the UFC. McGregor’s rematch with Diaz at UFC 202 was incredibleGETTY He has earned a reputation for being ‘cursed’ due to his bad luck with betting. In August, he lost $450,000 (£347,000) after backing Israel Adesanya to win back his middleweight title from reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305. Seven months prior, Drake had placed a $700,000 (£551,000) bet against Du Plessis, backing Sean Strickland to beat him at UFC 297. What made matters worse was the fact the rapper was cageside for that main event clash and witnessed Strickland fall to a razor-thing split decision defeat to the South African champion. Drake also famously wagered $500,000 (£401,000) on Adesanya to knockout Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023, but Strickland won in a shocking upset via unanimous decision. Diaz is the younger brother of MMA pioneer Nick Diaz but carved out his own path to the UFC’s summit. Diaz went into boxing after the UFC and even battled Jake Paul in 2023Esther Lin/Most Valuable Promotions He famously battled McGregor twice in 2016, shockingly submitting him in their first bout at UFC 196 after being called in on short notice. However, McGregor exacted revenge in the rematch at UFC 202 in a five-round, bloody affair, winning by majority decision. Diaz has been a professional MMA fighter for over 20 years but hasn’t fought in the UFC since his victory over Tony Ferguson in 2022. The 39-year-old ventured into the world of boxing his Ferguson fight, but was beaten by decision in his professional debut against YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul. Diaz later faced his former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal, who he had lost to in MMA five years prior, and got his revenge in their rematch under boxing rules in July. Diaz outpointed ‘Gamebred’ over 10 rounds in front of his hometown fans at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Drake has included Conor McGregor on his list of favourite UFC fighters but hesitated to name him as his all-time best.
The rap superstar was recording a Christmas-themed live stream on Thursday night when he was asked about his favourite UFC fighters.
Drake was joined by renowned streamer Adin Ross for his live show branded as Drizzmas, which lasted over six hours and featured video calls with fans.
During the stream, Ross pressed the 38-year-old Canadian on who he would select as his favourite UFC fighter of all time.
“OK, I’m gonna answer this question strictly based on just somebody, who to me, is the most thorough,” Drake said in response.
“You can’t get more thorough than this guy. I respect people who are where you’re from and nothing else can change you.
“The money, the wins, nothing. So to me, it’s Nate [Diaz]. That’s my favorite fighter because Nate is crazy through and through.
“Obviously, of course, I have other favourite fighters. I love Conor [McGregor] with all my heart…
“I’m talking about if they were rappers who would I like listening to? That’s how I’m looking at it.
“I’d listen to Conor and Nate. You can’t get more…Nate is just one of those people. Nate is gonna Nate.”
Ross went on to confirm that UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is his favourite fighter of all time, while asserting that Diaz is ‘cool’.
Drake is known for placing huge bets in the biggest sporting events of the year, especially in the UFC.
He has earned a reputation for being ‘cursed’ due to his bad luck with betting.
In August, he lost $450,000 (£347,000) after backing Israel Adesanya to win back his middleweight title from reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.
Seven months prior, Drake had placed a $700,000 (£551,000) bet against Du Plessis, backing Sean Strickland to beat him at UFC 297.
What made matters worse was the fact the rapper was cageside for that main event clash and witnessed Strickland fall to a razor-thing split decision defeat to the South African champion.
Drake also famously wagered $500,000 (£401,000) on Adesanya to knockout Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023, but Strickland won in a shocking upset via unanimous decision.
Diaz is the younger brother of MMA pioneer Nick Diaz but carved out his own path to the UFC’s summit.
He famously battled McGregor twice in 2016, shockingly submitting him in their first bout at UFC 196 after being called in on short notice.
However, McGregor exacted revenge in the rematch at UFC 202 in a five-round, bloody affair, winning by majority decision.
Diaz has been a professional MMA fighter for over 20 years but hasn’t fought in the UFC since his victory over Tony Ferguson in 2022.
The 39-year-old ventured into the world of boxing his Ferguson fight, but was beaten by decision in his professional debut against YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul.
Diaz later faced his former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal, who he had lost to in MMA five years prior, and got his revenge in their rematch under boxing rules in July.
Diaz outpointed ‘Gamebred’ over 10 rounds in front of his hometown fans at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
