Issue 042
October 2008
The notorious owner of a seriously bad attitude, out-spoken fighter Nick Diaz polarises opinion. Some fans respect his ‘fight the Man’ stance and his take-no-shit personality, whereas others see him as nothing better than an uneducated street thug from a deprived town in Northern California.
THE STATS
Fights out of California
Height 6’
Age 25
Category 160lb / 72.7kg
Inspired by Cesar Gracie
In MMA since 2001
Always controversial, Diaz is well known for his marijuana advocacy, competes in triathlons when not fighting and eats only organic food. He often lashes out at fellow fighters in his rambling interviews, calling them out and insulting their appearance while denigrating their lifestyles and espousing his own.
A member of the Cesar Gracie fight team based in Stockton, California, Diaz trains alongside his brother Nate, winner of TUF 5, as well as Gilbert Melendez and Jake Shields.
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
Though only six feet tall, Diaz is a rangy fighter with long arms. His uses his reach to good effect by keeping fighters on the end of his jab, and though his punches have been described as ‘pillowy’ he has enough power in his hands to stun opponents, as seen in his most recent fight against Thomas Denny, as well as a highlight reel KO over Robbie Lawler.
Legs
Diaz’s long legs 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 a gogoplata from guard.
Career Snapshot
2001
Begins his MMA career weeks after his 18th birthday and wins by triangle choke.
2002
Enters an eight-man tournament but loses out over rival Jeremy Jackson in the finals. Finishes the year with a fight in Japan.
2003
Picks up the WEC welterweight title, and defeats Jeremy Jackson twice, the final time as Diaz’s UFC debut.
2004
Has two blistering fights with Robbie Lawler and Karo Parisyan, which mark him as a talent to watch.
2005
Loses a decision to Diego Sanchez in another awesome fight, which starts off a three-fight losing streak.
2006
Gets back on track with three solid wins but leaves the UFC.
2007
Engages in the infamous fight with Gomi that saw Diaz sensationally win by gogoplata. The fight was later ruled a no contest due to a failed drug test. Signs with EliteXC.
2008
Goes 3-0 in 2008 as part of his quest for the belt.
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