While not a cage fight, MMA icons Jon Jones and Nate Diaz are set to face off in a different capacity. The prominent combat sports figures have agreed to serve as head coaches for rival teams during the upcoming second season of the Russian fight program, ALF Reality. This series is the creation of influencer Alfredo Auditore.
Details regarding the specific responsibilities of Jones and Diaz in their coaching roles are currently unclear. However, looking back at the first season, which featured Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan as coaches, there were ample opportunities for the personalities involved to clash and create compelling interactions.
In the inaugural season of ALF Reality, Aljamain Sterling stepped in for his teammate Merab Dvalishvili to coach against Petr Yan. This pairing brought their previous two-fight rivalry to the forefront once again. Their history included Sterling winning the bantamweight title from Yan via disqualification, a controversial moment that Yan frequently brought up during the show.
Jon Jones, the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, is taking on this reality show commitment while awaiting his next fight. His next defense appears to depend on whether he is willing to fight interim champion Tom Aspinall, a matchup Jones has expressed little interest in pursuing. Jones last competed in the octagon in November, securing a successful title defense against Stipe Miocic with a third-round TKO victory.
Since concluding his 15-year tenure with the UFC in 2022, Nate Diaz has remained active in combat sports. He has participated in professional boxing on two occasions. In 2023, he lost a unanimous decision to Jake Paul. Following that, in 2024, he secured a majority decision win over fellow MMA standout Jorge Masvidal.
