Nate Diaz

STOCKTON, Calif. -- If there is a way to summarize the lasting effect Nate Diaz's hometown has had on him, it's that it taught him this: Always be all the way in when it comes to a fight.

That might sound like an obvious lesson, one that doesn't necessarily require growing up in Stockton to figure out. But at this point in his life, Diaz is fairly convinced few truly live with this mentality.

His older brother, UFC welterweight Nick Diaz, calls it a curse. Nate refers to it as a "kill or be killed" state of mind. The Diaz brothers are fighting. Add bells and whistles around it for financial gain, that's great. But this is still a fight.