Nick Diaz is the older of the two Diaz brothers. Currently 37 years old, Nick is almost two years older than his brother Nate Diaz.
Nick and Nate both grew up in a small ground floor house in Lodi, north of Stockton, California. The city of Stockton was historically known for a relatively high rate of violent crime and was one of the first major cities to declare bankruptcy.
Nick and Nate Diaz grew up in a tough neighborhood, facing various struggles early in life.
Although little is known about their father, the Diaz brothers were raised mostly by their mother, Melissa Diaz, along with their younger sister, Nina.
The Diaz brothers’ upbringing played a significant role in how they approached struggle and life in general. Although Nate calls it a “kill or be killed” state of mind, his older brother Nick calls it a curse.
Nate Diaz has followed in the footsteps of Nick Diaz.
Although both Diaz brothers may have had difficult childhoods, Nate at least had an older brother who looked up to him.
At some point during high school, Nate followed his older brother to a jiu-jitsu gym. Before he knew it, Nate Diaz trained to be a professional fighter just like his older brother Nick.
From last-minute contract negotiations for the WEC lightweight title against Hermes France, Nick Diaz has been an integral part of Nate’s MMA career.
According to Nate, Nick also matured years later as he grew up. Recalling his difficult childhood, Nate said:
“We were angry with the children, but she (their mother) would say: ‘No, people are good.’ But growing up, Nick was older, he knew that everything was bad. He knew that other people weren’t like that, they had nice things and nice houses. We sat in a motel and left Mom’s job. Waited. My sister and I didn’t know any better. When they were making cartoons, we were fine. But Nick, he knew. People always messed with Nick. He was always like that.”