Issue 075
May 2011
A source of fascination for fans and media, Nick Diaz’s volatile personality is as entertaining as his unique fighting style. The Strikeforce welterweight champion has blasted through both his opponents and critics alike during a fight career spanning over a decade.
Born in Stockton, California Diaz started martial arts training after being bullied by older kids. He became a professional mixed martial artist in 2001 just after his 18th birthday. In only his second fight, he was able to beat the now-UFC veteran Chris Lytle by decision to become the International Fighting Championship’s United States welterweight champion in 2002. The 27-year-old competed in both Pride and the UFC before entering Strikeforce in 2009. He TKO’d Marius Zaramoskis in his third fight for the promotion to attain Strikeforce’s inaugural welterweight belt. During his career, Diaz has disposed of elite competition including Frank Shamrock, Scott Smith, KJ Noons and, most notably, Robbie Lawler in a bout where Diaz verbally taunted the ‘Ruthless’ brawler until landing a counter hook and knocking him out.
A member of the Cesar Gracie fight team based in his home town, Diaz trains alongside his brother Nate, winner of TUF 5, as well as Gilbert Melendez and Jake Shields. Diaz is well known for his marijuana advocacy and smack talk. He has been accused of catalyzing several post-fight altercations. Dana White has said that Diaz will probably never re-join the UFC as “he can’t play the game.” A complex character, Diaz is also a committed vegetarian and triathlete.
Despite Diaz’s contentious character, he has entered 2011 with indomitable style, dispatching Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos by armbar in the second round to defend his title. Whether he’s exploding inside the cage or firing his mouth outside of it, Diaz is always an entertaining edition to the Strikeforce roster.
Eyebrows
Diaz underwent plastic surgery on his eyebrows to repair damage caused from his fights. A notorious ‘bleeder’, Diaz cuts easily around the eyes and lost via cut stoppage to KJ Noons in a title fight in 2007.
Arms
At six-feet tall, Diaz is a rangy fighter with long arms. As a southpaw, he utilizes his reach to effect by keeping fighters on the end of his jab and setting himself up for heavy body shots. Diaz also likes to taunt his opponent into exchanging with him so he can parry their punches and counter strike with clinically precise blows. This is embodied perfectly in his highlight reel KO over Robbie Lawler.
Legs
Diaz’s long legs and incredible flexibility come into effect on the ground. A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Diaz is an excellent guard player and famously submitted the Japanese star Takanori Gomi with an exotic gogoplata submission from guard.
STATISTICS
Name Nick Diaz
Age 27
Height 6’0”
Category 170lb / 77.27kgs
Record 24-7-1 (1NC)
12 (T)KOs (50%)
8 Submissions (33%)
4 Decisions (17%)
Fighting Style Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing
Fights out of Stockton, California
Active since 2001
2001
Begins his MMA career weeks after his 18th birthday and wins by triangle choke.
2003
Picks up the WEC welterweight title by submitting Joe Hurley with a kimura.
2004
Engages in two blistering fights with Robbie Lawler and Karo Parisyan in the UFC, marking him a talent to watch. However, three back-to-back losses mean he leaves the promotion in 2006.
2007
Sensationally beats Takanori Gomi by gogoplata. The fight was later ruled a no contest due to a failed recreational drug test (for marijuana) on Diaz’s part.
2010
After beating both Scott Smith and Frank Shamrock, Diaz TKO’s Marius Zaramoskis to win Strikeforce’s inaugural welterweight belt.
2011
Defeats heavy-hitting Muay Thai fighter Evangelista Cyborg to defend the Strikeforce welterweight belt for the third time.
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