Andrew Ravens
Cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran is standing by his decision to call off Nate Diaz‘s fight against Mike Perry, telling MMA Junkie Radio that his fighter’s safety left him no other choice.
Duran was brought in specifically to work Diaz’s corner at the event, present solely at Diaz’s request. When the fight deteriorated, he made the call to intervene and advise the referee to stop the bout.
Diaz was cut in multiple spots during the fight, with a gash on the right side of his forehead drawing significant blood that Duran could not stop. Diaz also broke a finger during the bout and later told Duran he could not see due to the bleeding. Diaz finished the night with 15 staples and 20 stitches combined.
‘Stitch’ Duran on Nate Diaz stoppage: ‘He was beat up’
“He was beat up,” Duran told MMA Junkie Radio. “Mike was just too strong, too aggressive.” Duran said he told the referee Diaz was not going back out, despite pushback from the official to continue.
The crowd at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. responded with boos, and criticism followed on social media. Duran said neither changed his view. The reassurance he needed came from Diaz directly. Duran said Diaz thanked him after the fight and embraced him when they said their goodbyes, with Diaz’s father also present to offer thanks. Duran said Diaz acknowledged he could not see, which he described as the deciding factor.
“My job is to protect the fighter,” Duran said. “That’s exactly what I did with Nate.”
The stoppage drew additional attention, given the night’s co-main event, a bout between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano on Netflix, also ended in a stoppage between rounds two and three. Duran said he has since received praise from within the combat sports industry, including a message from boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
“I got a lot of compliments from guys within the industry,” Duran said. “They understand.”
