Pic: Nate Diaz loses to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 13, sparks another owl

Another action-packed weekend of fisticuffs has come and gone as UFC on FOX 13 blew the roof off U.S. Airways Center this past weekend (Sat., Dec. 13, 2014) in Phoenix, Arizona.

Plenty of fighters were left licking their wounds, including Gabriel Gonzaga, who was knocked out by Matt Mitrione in the opening rounds (video). And Stipe Miocic, who came up on the wrong end of a controversial loss to Junior dos Santos (highlights).

But which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover now less than 48 hours removed from the show?

Nate Diaz.

Before the Stockton slugger made his much anticipated return to the Octagon, his week got off to a very rocky start. On Wednesday (Dec. 10, 2014), Diaz missed the open workouts after he opted to catch some extra z's.

A few days later, Nate came in heavy at the weigh-ins, costing him 20-percent of his fight night earnings. If things couldn't get worse, prior to his showdown against Rafael dos Anjos, a clip was shown of him walking out of his pre-fight interview. By that time, Dana White was pulling out the imaginary hair on his head and handing out $10,000 fines.

Then came fight night.

To add injury to insult, Diaz stepped into the cage against one of the hottest lightweights in the game today in Rafael dos Anjos; a man who would prove to be a tough challenge for anyone in the division, let alone someone coming off a year-long layoff.

And the result was disastrous for Nate, as he was on the receiving end of a one-sided beat down at the hands of the Brazilian (highlights). But, it was "RDA's" legs that did the damage, as his powerful and accurate kicks hurt Nate all night long.

Once the dust cleared, Diaz was left bloodied, battered and bruised and with his third loss in last four outings.  After the fight, Diaz went on to reveal that he wasn't at full health going into the fight, but he wasn't about to pull out and miss out on a paycheck.

And he apparently found a way to comfort himself following the loss.

P.O.W

A photo posted by natediaz209 (@natediaz209) on Dec 12, 2014 at 8:28pm PST

While Nate did his best to explain most of his mishaps, his bizarre week left White and fight fans wondering what's really going through Nate's mind. Was he doing his best to get cut? Or was it, in fact, just a very bad and forgettable week due to a series of unfortunate circumstances for the talented 155-pounder?

Whatever the case may be, Diaz is truly now at a crossroads in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career. His latest output coupled with his recent criticism of the promotion's numerous landmark deals like this one and this one, won't do him any favors in getting that much-desired raise.

Is he talented enough to get back on the winning track? Absolutely. Does he have the tools to compete with and defeat the best inside the Octagon? Yes. Does he want to keep doing it?

Well, your guess is just as good as any.