Jake Paul and Nate Diaz’s teams were involved in a 20-man backstage brawl in Arizona, The Sun reports.
Paul would later go on to beat Silva on points and was unaware that Diaz and his camp had a scuffle with his entourage beforehand.
According to Ariel Helwani, there was a coming together backstage at the Desert Diamond Arena.
Helwani tweeted: “To follow up on what Jake said in there, when I was in the back I saw the Diaz team and the Paul team get into it.
“Big scuffle. Pushes. Got physical and drinks were thrown. Over 20 people involved.
“Almost got ugly but they broke it up and then the Diaz team weren’t seen again.”
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Vision also emerged of Diaz seen slapping a member of Jake Paul’s team as the melee died down.
Diaz lurched forward and struck the bald man with an open hand after a heated back-and-forth between his troops and Paul’s squad.
Fight fans were quick to comment on the Stockton slap, with one saying: “Nate Diaz is always slapping people.”
Another said: “God I love Nathan so much.”
And another said: “Nate Diaz just slapped the crap outta that tattoo-covered skinhead Jake Paul hangs with – instantly turned b***h.”
One remarked: “One thing about Nate Diaz. He gon slap a MF.”
It didn’t take long for Paul to get wind of Diaz’s backstage antics, with the former Disney star saying: “Nate Diaz was here acting like a b***h.
It didn’t take long for Paul to get wind of Diaz’s backstage antics, with the former Disney star saying: “Nate Diaz was here acting like a b***h.
“Everyone wants that fight. He tried to fight people in the hallway. Nate, stop fighting people for free.
“Let’s do it in the ring, okay? I know you’re a little slow, buddy. But we can make that fight happen.”
Paul, 25, isn’t a fan of Diaz’s persona, which has earned him a legion of fans across the globe.
He said: “It’s typical of him. That’s what he likes to do. He’s a street gangster.
“He likes to act tough and he’s really not. Why are you trying to beat someone up in the hallway?”
Paul, 25, clarified in the post-fight press conference that he was unaware of the melee until after his fight.
But following an eight-round decision victory over Silva, 47, he called to settle the score with Diaz, 37.
He said: “This is just the start. I want Nate Diaz. Canelo, you too.
“You guys said, ‘You can’t beat a striker, you can’t beat a legend like Anderson Silva.’ I just did it. So why can’t I beat Canelo?”
Paul secured the most legitimate win of his 6-0 boxing career against his idol-turned rival.
He said: “It’s a surreal moment. Hard work pays off.
“First and foremost, I want to say thank you to Anderson. He was my idol growing up. He inspired me to be great.
“He was the first celebrity I ever met. Without him, we wouldn’t have had a fight this year. He’s a tough mofo. A legend.
“I have nothing but respect for him. This just goes to show that anyone watching at home, chase your dreams. It’s never too late.
“I started boxing two-and-a-half years ago as a pro and just beat one of the greatest ever because I’m obsessed with this.
“I go so hard every single day. Nothing can get in my way. No distractions.”
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
