UFC 331’s Ozzy Diaz Always Knew He’s Fight at crypto.com Arena

Ozzy Diaz grew up in the shadow of the crypto.com Arena (née Staples Center) in Los Angeles. As he played and hung out around the famed arena, he had a strong connection to it. And that connection wasn’t just as a place to hang out, but knowing that one day he’d be able to do something there. Now, with his UFC fight inside the arena just a whisper away, he reflected on it.

“It’s crazy because that kid in me is like, it’s crazy to realize that dreams do come true,” Diaz said. “I remember being a kid and I used to go run and skate around Staples Center. Then going to watch WWE, the Lakers play, and I always knew as a kid that I would do something in this arena.”

Despite having that strong pull to the arena, he never knew what he would do inside of it. The pre-teen Diaz enjoyed basketball, but didn’t exactly have hoop dreams. He had seen WWE events there, but had never considered the entertainment industry. Still, he somehow knew.

“At that time, I didn’t know exactly what I would do,” he admitted. “But I knew I was going to do something deep down in my heart. And the one year that UFC is now going to Staple Center, I get to be in it. It’s just like, man, it’s a dream come true.”

And it’s not just fighting in Los Angeles that’s exciting for him – he’s been fighting in the city for his entire professional career. However, being able to put on for the place where Kobe and Shaq ran things in his childhood is something that he hopes inspires future generations.