Issue 093
October 2012
One half of MMA’s bad boy brothers, the TUF 5 winner has powered himself into UFC lightweight title contention
It’s very rare in sport to get two siblings who are as successful as one another. However, in the case of the Diaz brothers, both Nick and Nate have achieved so much during their time in MMA, with the youngest Diaz sibling rapidly becoming a fan favorite due to his exciting, punch-laden, submission-heavy style.
Nate made his pro debut in October 2004 against Alex Garcia at WEC 12, winning his first fight via triangle choke. It was an immediate statement that he was a prospect to look out for.
Within the first two years of his career, he amassed a 5-1 record, finishing all of his opponents via strikes or submission, proving he shared his brother’s versatility and killer instinct inside the cage. Diaz was then given a chance to fight for the WEC lightweight title against BJJ ace Hermes Franca. But it was too much too soon. Whilst clearly a diamond waiting to be polished, Nate was submitted via armbar, which remains the only time he’s been finished in his 23-fight career.
Things would pick up quickly for the Stockton native, however, as Nate dominated the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter, defeating the likes of Rob Emerson, Corey Hill and Gray Maynard en-route to the finale against Manvel Gamburyan. And he won that too, taking home the title and a lofty six-figure UFC contract.
He quickly made an impact with an initial 4-0 run, but then went 1-3; submitting Melvin Guillard, but being outpointed by Clay Guida, Joe Stevenson and former TUF victim Maynard. Frustrated, he switched to welterweight. But his run of inconsistent form continued at 170lb.
He won his first two fights, but the massive difference in size caught up with Nate when he was out-powered by two of the UFC’s biggest welterweights: Dong Hyun Kim and Rory MacDonald. And it was the latter which forced Diaz to return to the 155lb division.
With his back against the wall, Diaz restarted with a renewed focus. He destroyed Takanori Gomi, used Donald Cerrone as a punching bag and most recently submitted perennial top contender Jim Miller to earn an eventual title shot against whoever emerges with the UFC title when Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar clash at UFC 150.
Boxing
Nate shares the same skills as his brother when it comes to his striking ability. He utilizes his long limbs to pepper his opponents constantly; rattling their confidence due to the sheer amount of strikes they’ve absorbed. Case in point: his win against Donald Cerrone where he broke the Compustrike record with an astounding 82% of landed strikes.
Endurance
Nate Diaz does not tire. Fact. Much like his brother, his sole intention is to fight his opponents at a pace they cannot keep up with until they physically and mentally break and are unable to continue, whilst Diaz continues to look as if he hasn’t even broken a sweat.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Diaz may not be a NCAA Division 1 wrestler like some of his opponents in the lightweight division, but what he lacks in takedown skills, he more than makes up for in BJJ. With 11 submissions out of his 16 wins, most fighters don’t want to take Diaz to the ground in fear they may become another one of his victims.
NEED TO KNOW
NAME: Nate Diaz
AGE: 27
STARTED: 2004
DIVISION: Lightweight
STYLE : Jiu-Jitsu/Boxing
BASED: Stockton, California
RECORD: 16-7-0
3 (T)KOS (19%)
11 SUBS (69%)
2 DECISIONS (12%)
Career Snapshot
2004
Diaz makes his debut at WEC 12, defeating Alex Garcia via triangle choke in the third round
2006
Diaz made his last appearance in the WEC when he lost via armbar to Hermes Franca, challenging for the WEC lightweight title.
2007
Diaz wins the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter and then begins a four-fight win streak in the UFC that would last until 2009.
2012
After returning from a stint up at 170lb then defeating Takanori Gomi and Donald Cerrone, Diaz continues his outstanding run by tapping Jim Miller in an eliminator for a UFC lightweight title shot.
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