Jorge Masvidal calls Nate Diaz ‘borderline vegetable’ and rejects move to leave UFC before suffering ‘severe brain damage’

JORGE MASVIDAL claims Nate Diaz is a ‘borderline vegetable’ who risks further ‘serious brain damage’ if he returns to UFC.

The two MMA legends are both 37 years old, but Masvidal says Diaz has lost his “wit and acumen” and pauses longer when answering questions.

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Diaz appeared to one of Jake Paul’s team just before the YouTuber defeated Anderson Silva in the boxing ring on Saturday night.

And Diaz, who defeated and then lost Conor McGregor in 2016, has himself been linked to a fight against Paul.

But Masvidal is certain the Californian was right to retire from the UFC after beating 38-year-old Tony Ferguson last month.

The Florida welterweight told MMA Fighting: “It’s good for him to get out of the big leagues before he gets serious brain damage.

“I think the guy is a border vegetable. His interviews, his courage, his wit and his sharpness all went haywire.

“You have to wait for him. The breaks got longer.

“You used to ask him a question, it used to be like a two-second pause — now it’s like a 30-second pause.”

Masvidal defeated Diaz in a BMF title match three years ago and they spoke respectfully of each other afterwards.

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But now Masvidal insists: ‘He shouldn’t play in the big leagues. He’s gonna hurt himself, man.

“Take that old ass somewhere else. Also, I almost killed his ass until the referee saved him. I don’t like him very much.”

Diaz has left the UFC, but his fighting days may not be over yet.

He has been linked to a boxing match against Jake Paul, who will face another UFC legend on Saturday night in Anderson Silva.