Nate Diaz & Chris Avila

Nate Diaz and Chris Avila, Stockton-raised MMA fighters from the 209, join Theo Von to discuss their gritty origins, lifelong dedication to fighting, upcoming bouts on the May 16 Netflix MVP card, and broader insights from their careers. The conversation weaves personal stories with practical views on training, self-defense, and navigating the fight business.

Stockton Grit and Early Bonds

Diaz and Avila credit Stockton's core energy for their toughness, emphasizing representing the 209 without pretense—what you see is what you get. They met as teens when Diaz got his truck windows tinted at Avila's dad's shop; Avila, around 15, started training with Diaz brothers at the gym, sparring adults despite the age gap. Nick Diaz led the way, fighting since childhood and popularizing the "Stockton slap"—seen publicly when he slapped Robbie Lawler early in UFC. They describe slaps as warning shots: a non-lethal check for rudeness, like Diaz once did at a pizza spot to de-escalate without full violence. Family stays close but rarely attends fights due to the risks; everyone gets invited to big ones, but Diaz keeps it public. Pre-fighting jobs were minimal—Diaz barbecued tri-tips at 14 while selling weed; Avila worked sporadically at a winery and tint shop. Stockton's zoo gets joked about for its modest animals (monkeys, squirrels, past seals and bear), underscoring local pride amid b