In a dramatic development that has gripped the international mixed martial arts (MMA) community, UFC icons Jon Jones and Nate Diaz were tapped as coaches for a Russian reality TV series similar to The Ultimate Fighter, called ALF Reality.
Filmed in Thailand, the show aimed to unite top fighters from Russia and other regions under the guidance of two of MMA’s most celebrated names. However, what started as a hopeful endeavor to foster cultural connections through sport quickly spiraled into turmoil, with reports of a massive on-set brawl prompting Nate Diaz to leave the production. Meanwhile, Jon Jones has decided to stay in Thailand and continue filming, sparking questions about the show’s future and its broader significance amid warming America-Russia relations.
Improving Ties Between America and Russia
The backdrop to this high-profile MMA story is the gradual thaw in diplomatic relations between the United States and Russia as of May 2025. Following years of strained interactions marked by sanctions, geopolitical disputes, and mutual suspicion, both nations have taken cautious steps toward détente. Recent high-level discussions between U.S. and Russian officials have centered on reducing military tensions in Eastern Europe, promoting economic partnerships, and addressing shared global issues like climate change and cybersecurity. While the relationship is still far from perfect, cultural initiatives—such as this reality show featuring American MMA stars—have been seen as a modest yet meaningful gesture of goodwill.
The inclusion of Jon Jones and Nate Diaz in ALF Reality was a calculated move to leverage the global popularity of MMA, a sport that resonates deeply in both the U.S. and Russia. Russia has emerged as a powerhouse in combat sports, producing dominant fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, whose achievements have elevated the nation’s profile in the MMA world. By enlisting American legends like Jones and Diaz, the show’s creators aimed to craft a compelling East-meets-West narrative, appealing to audiences on both sides of the globe.
Jon Jones and Nate Diaz: Icons in a New Arena
Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, and Nate Diaz, a former UFC star beloved by fans, made for an intriguing pairing on ALF Reality. Jones, often hailed as one of the greatest MMA fighters in history, has long been a polarizing figure due to his legal issues and reluctance to unify his heavyweight title with interim champion Tom Aspinall. Now 37, Jones has repeatedly hinted at retirement in recent months, leaving fans uncertain about his next move. His choice to participate in a Russian reality show instead of defending his belt has drawn criticism from some corners, with many accusing him of dodging Aspinall.
Nate Diaz, meanwhile, has been a free agent since departing the UFC in 2022 following a submission win over Tony Ferguson. The 40-year-old from Stockton, California, has since dabbled in boxing, losing to Jake Paul before securing a decision victory over Jorge Masvidal last year. Renowned for his unapologetic attitude, relentless fighting style, and history of confrontations both in and out of the cage, Diaz was a natural fit for a reality TV format that thrives on tension and drama.
ALF Reality followed a format similar to The Ultimate Fighter, where two coaches mentor teams of aspiring fighters, culminating in a finale where the prospects vie for a contract or a significant career opportunity. Past seasons of ALF Reality had featured prominent UFC fighters like Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan, Khamzat Chimaev, and Arman Tsarukyan, establishing the show as a credible platform for international talent. With Jones and Diaz leading the charge, expectations were sky-high that this season would be the most watched yet.
Initial Success and Brewing Conflict
When filming kicked off in Thailand earlier this month, the presence of Jones and Diaz generated immediate excitement. Social media platforms buzzed with reactions from fans, many of whom were eager to see two American MMA legends coaching in a foreign production. Early footage of Jones and Diaz interacting with the fighters—mostly from Russia, Chechnya, and Dagestan—spread rapidly online, highlighting the cultural exchange the show’s producers had envisioned. In one widely shared clip, Jones and Diaz were heard discussing the current state of the UFC, with both admitting they “barely watch” the promotion anymore, a sharp critique of the sport’s leading organization.
For the first few days, ALF Reality seemed poised for success. Jones, drawing on his extensive experience as a champion, adopted a disciplined approach to coaching, focusing on technique and strategy. Diaz, in contrast, brought a gritty, unfiltered energy to the set, urging his fighters to embrace their unique identities and fight with passion. The contrast between Jones’ measured demeanor and Diaz’s fiery intensity created a dynamic that captivated viewers. Fans speculated that the season might build toward a dramatic finale, possibly setting the stage for a future showdown between Jones and Diaz themselves—though not in the cage, given their different weight classes.
Beneath the surface, however, trouble was brewing. Reports indicate that Diaz arrived in Thailand “on edge,” a mood attributed to his past conflicts with Russian fighters. Diaz has a well-documented history of animosity with Khabib Nurmagomedov, whom he allegedly slapped in 2015, and Khamzat Chimaev, with whom he clashed backstage in 2022. These incidents, combined with the presence of several Dagestani fighters on the show, created a tense atmosphere from the start. Jake Shields, a former UFC fighter and Diaz’s longtime teammate who joined him in Thailand, later revealed that the team was on high alert for potential confrontations even before filming began.
The On-Set Brawl That Shook the Production
The underlying tension erupted into chaos on the first day of shooting. According to multiple sources, including Shields and Jones, the incident began when a fighter named Zalik Yusupov, a returning contestant notorious for causing trouble in previous seasons, attempted to “play-fight” with Diaz. Yusupov, who had previously made headlines for allegedly choking Aljamain Sterling unconscious during last season’s filming, approached Diaz in what was intended as a playful gesture. However, Diaz, already wary, did not take kindly to the interaction.
Jones and Nate Diaz
Shields described the incident in a video on his YouTube channel, explaining that Diaz “slapped” Yusupov after the fighter tried to grab him. The situation quickly escalated as other fighters and crew members got involved, resulting in a massive melee that Jones described as unlike anything he had witnessed in his 17 years in MMA. “I’ve been around the Bushido spirit for a long time, that martial arts spirit where everybody has a certain degree of rules you don’t cross,” Jones told Red Corner MMA. “I don’t think there’s a lot of that here. Some guys are like warriors, and some guys are really just kind of street fighters. There’s insults, there’s weapons. This show… there’s nothing like it.”
Jones, who initially tried to de-escalate the situation, noted that a second altercation broke out later, adding to the chaos. Shields, who was also caught up in the brawl, claimed that he was attacked by crew members—not just fighters—when he stepped in to defend Diaz. “Right when I started to go off on him, I got just blitzed from the side,” Shields recounted. “To me, it was very clear that it was the staff and the workers. That was one of those moments where I had better diffuse the situation.”
The fallout from the brawl was as intense as the incident itself. Shields revealed that after Diaz and his team left the set, they were stalked by Russian fighters on motorcycles for several days while still in Thailand. “People have been sending me videos from Russian Instagram and TV, supposedly of these Russian and Chechen fighters looking for us around Thailand,” Shields said on his podcast, Fight Back. “We were in the same area for three days, four days, going to the exact same places. Everyone knew where we were at, we were chilling right there.”
Ultimately, the situation became untenable for Diaz and his team. After rejecting the production team’s efforts to bring them back, they returned to California, effectively ending Diaz’s involvement in ALF Reality. “Why are we going to go back and film a show?” Shields asked rhetorically. “It’s one thing to be fighting the fighters—that’s why I went out there with Nate, I thought it was a possibility some of these fighters will try to test him. But when you have potentially the crew hitting you, too, it’s like, no, f*** that.”
Jon Jones Stays, Diaz Departs: The Future of ALF Reality
While Diaz’s exit was a major setback for the show, Jon Jones has chosen to remain in Thailand and continue filming. The UFC heavyweight champion, who has been vague about his fighting future, seems to be relishing his time away from the octagon, even as fans and interim champion Tom Aspinall grow increasingly frustrated with his absence. Jones has dropped conflicting hints about his career in recent weeks, at one point declaring he was “done” with the sport before retracting the statement and citing the need for “much-needed downtime.”
His decision to stay on ALF Reality has only intensified speculation that Jones is avoiding a title unification fight with Aspinall, who has been pushing for the matchup for nearly 600 days. Aspinall, who defended his interim belt against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024, broke the record for the longest interim champion reign in UFC history earlier this year. Despite UFC CEO Dana White’s assurances that the fight will happen in 2025, Jones’ focus on reality TV has left many fans doubtful.
For ALF Reality, producers have reportedly secured a replacement for Diaz, though no official announcement has been made. One rumored candidate is Daniel Cormier, a longtime rival of Jones who expressed interest in joining the show after hearing about the chaotic environment. Cormier, a former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, has prior experience coaching on The Ultimate Fighter, having faced off against Stipe Miocic in 2018 and Chael Sonnen earlier this year. The prospect of Jones and Cormier coaching against each other—given their history of animosity, including a brawl at a UFC 178 media event—could breathe new life into the show, though it also raises the potential for further conflict.
Wider Implications
The events surrounding ALF Reality carry significant implications, both for the individuals involved and for the broader context of America-Russia relations. For Jon Jones, continuing to film may be a way to maintain his public profile while postponing his return to the UFC. However, it also risks further alienating fans who are eager to see him defend his title. For Nate Diaz, the brawl and subsequent departure reinforce his reputation as a fighter who operates on his own terms, unafraid to walk away from a situation he deems unacceptable. Diaz has since spoken briefly about the incident, though his comments have been vague, focusing more on his frustration with the unprofessional setup than on the specifics of the brawl.
On a larger scale, the incident underscores the challenges of cultural exchanges in the context of improving diplomatic relations. While the idea of uniting American and Russian fighters was admirable in concept, the reality of deep-seated rivalries and cultural differences proved difficult to manage. The brawl on the set of ALF Reality serves as a microcosm of the broader tensions that persist between the two nations, even as they work toward reconciliation. It also highlights the volatile nature of reality TV, where drama is often encouraged but can quickly spiral out of control.
Moving Forward
The saga of Jon Jones and Nate Diaz on ALF Reality is a testament to the unpredictable nature of both MMA and international collaboration. What began as a promising venture to showcase two American legends in a Russian production ended in turmoil, with Diaz walking away and Jones pressing on. As America and Russia continue to navigate their improving relationship, cultural initiatives like this one will likely remain a double-edged sword—capable of fostering understanding but also exposing underlying tensions.
For now, the MMA world waits to see what lies ahead for ALF Reality, Jon Jones, and Nate Diaz. Will the show recover from the loss of Diaz and deliver the blockbuster season fans were hoping for? Will Jones finally return to the UFC and face Tom Aspinall, or will he continue to prioritize projects like this over his fighting career? And will Diaz, ever the wildcard, find his way back to the UFC or continue forging his own path outside the promotion? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: in the world of MMA, drama is never far behind.