Nate Diaz well on his way to acquiring boxing license in Nevada

Nate Diaz is well on his way to acquiring a boxing license in the state of Nevada.

According to ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto, who spoke with Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) executive director Bob Bennett, Diaz has been working toward this end for several months. Having paid the $50,000 fine he was handed by the NSAC last month, which stemmed from a bottle-throwing skirmish with Conor McGregor at a UFC 202 press conference, he is now filing the required paperwork to obtain this license. He has also submitted submitted footage of his gym’s boxing training for the commission to look over.

“Nate paid his fine and has requested a boxing license,” Bennett told ESPN of Diaz’s application for a boxing license. “Upon his submission of the required licensing information, we expect to approve his license as of this date.”

“We welcome Nate and his older brother, Nick, to fight in Las Vegas, whether it’s with the UFC or a boxing promoter.”

Diaz has flirted with the idea of a jump to the boxing ring for some time. In a recent interview with ESPN, retired boxing great and current Conor McGregor rival Floyd Mayweather explained that he had recently spoken to Diaz to this end.

“When I talked to Nate Diaz, he told me [the UFC] had put him on the shelf,” Mayweather explained. “He said, ‘Since the second fight with Conor McGregor, they put me on the shelf. I’m ready to stay busy, stay active.'”

“Nate Diaz even talked to me about coming to box.”

Late last year, McGregor also made a big step in his dalliance with a boxing career, acquiring a license in the state of California.

Over the course of 2016, McGregor and Diaz engaged in two unforgettable battles in the UFC’s Octagon. The first saw Diaz weather and early storm to defeat the Irishman by submission. The second saw McGregor earn a majority decision win after five, tooth-and-nail rounds.

How do you think Nate Diaz would fair in the boxing ring? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This story first appeared on BJPenn.com on [1/18/2017].