Issue 175

January 2019

One of MMA's oddest and most memorable moments came in 2015 when Nick Diaz lay down on the Octagon floor during his middleweight championship fight with Anderson Silva. Although it seemed that Diaz was showing the GOAT the greatest of disrespect, it was all part of the entertainment and his strategic attempt to get a known counterpuncher to engage. Bizarre as this was, it was preceded by Diaz shaking his backside at his opponent and constant verbal taunting of Silva, especially in the first round. Styles make fights they say and when two different styles of fighter collide, unfulfilled strategies can cause both frustration and a need for creativity. In reality, there was mutual respect between both fighters as Silva realized Diaz’s antics were a ploy and didn't change his game plan by moving forward to engage with a dangerous opponent. In other words, it didn't work. Silva won it by unanimous decision only for the fight later to be declared no contest when he tested positive for steroids. Diaz, meanwhile, tested positive for marijuana metabolites. Maybe that was why he had a lie-down?