Nate Diaz released on bond after turning himself in to New Orleans Police Department amid battery charge

Former UFC lightweight and welterweight contender, Nate Diaz has been released on bond and is currently free to travel, after he voluntarily turned himself in to the New Orleans Police Department this morning, with an arrest warrant issued for the Californian earlier last weekend.

Diaz, an alum of the UFC, attended a Misfits boxing event over the weekend in New Orleans, in support of his teammate, former UFC and Bellator MMA featherweight Chris Avila.

Involved in a street fight on Bourbon Street following the professional boxing event, Diaz was filmed kneeing a man – later identified as Rodney Petersen in the body during an altercation, before choking the same man unconscious with a front choke, before dropping his limp body on the concrete pavement. 

Subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued for Diaz, who has since turned himself in voluntarily, and has posted bail according to reports earlier today. Diaz had been charged with second-degree battery in relation to the altercation.

“Nate (Diaz) voluntarily turned himself in to the New Orleans Police Department this morning approximately at 7:10 am. CT.” A statement from Diaz’s representative, Zach Rosenfield read. “We continue to look forward to presenting all the evidence and videos that show Nate was acting in self-defense.”

“Bond has been granted and posted with the full permission from the court to resume travel which includes returning to Stockton today,” The statement sent to MMA Fighting read. “We appreciate how we were treated by the New Orleans Police Department, the court and their staff.”

Earlier this week, off the back of the charges brought against him, Diaz – through his representative, Rosenfield, pleaded self-defense in relation to the altercation.

“Nate’s attorney looks forward to presented all of the facts about this incident to the District Attorney which clearly demonstrate that a trained fighter named Rodney Petersen aggressively pursued Nate with the intention of engaging him and once doing so, Nate acted entirely in self-defense. No further comment will be made at this time.”

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.