Nate Diaz joined comedian Theo Von and fighter Chris Avila on Von’s podcast to talk about fighting, CTE and vaccinations. The conversation mixed jokes with serious points about brain injury and athlete views on vaccines.
Podcast conversation
Diaz and Avila appeared on the latest episode of Theo Von’s podcast. During the episode they discussed life in combat sports and whether repeated blows to the head can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. A clip from the episode is available below.
Diaz on CTE and vaccines
When Von asked if fighting had changed the way Diaz thinks, Diaz laughed and seemed to treat the subject lightly at first. He joked back at Von, asking if comedy could cause CTE. Diaz said he felt football might cause more head trouble than fighting because of prolonged helmet-to-helmet contact.
He also said he has been fighting for more than 20 years. At one point he joked, “My CTE is kicking in,” and laughed off the question. The tone remained casual, but the topic of long-term brain health was raised as a real concern for contact sports.
Von then asked Diaz if he had been vaccinated. Diaz replied bluntly: “I didn’t get vaccinated ever. F*** you. Vaccinate yourself motherf*****.”
CTE and the wider debate
CTE is a major medical concern for athletes in contact sports. It is associated with repeated brain trauma and can cause neurological problems, memory loss, and behavior changes. Many doctors and researchers warn about the risks and push for better concussion protocols and prevention.
At the same time, some athletes and sports figures say CTE is exaggerated or overstated. This difference in views has created debate within sports communities about how to balance athlete safety, career length, and how much long-term risk to accept.
Experts and prevention
Some former athletes have studied CTE and worked with institutions to improve concussion care and prevention. These efforts include stronger return-to-play rules, better diagnosis after head impacts, and education for athletes and teams.
Diaz’s comments reflect two common themes in combat sports conversations: a casual attitude toward personal risk among some fighters, and a growing public awareness of long-term brain health. The topic remains an important part of discussions about athlete safety across sports.
