Nick Diaz has been one of the top draws of UFC’s Welterweight division most of his career and has had some incredible matches and moments. As we count down to his next fight, let’s take a look at five of his best UFC performances.
There was a lot of tension and heat coming into this fight as Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs had bantered and trash-talked each other the week leading up to the fight, and the intensity of the fight did not disappoint.
After a hard fought 10 minutes, Joe Riggs was given the victory over Diaz in a match where Riggs broke both of his hands and ended the fight covered in blood. Even though Nick Diaz lost this fight, it makes our top five due to the circumstances afterward.
Nick was clearly upset with the judges’ decision and began trash talking Joe Riggs at the hospital while Riggs was on a gurney awaiting medical attention. Not only did Diaz verbally continue the fight, he also started a physical altercation while still at the hospital by punching a vulnerable Riggs causing a tooth to go flying. Nick Diaz has been involved in some interesting bouts, but this is the only time we recall a fight continuing after the final bell while the fighters were being attended to by doctors.
Returning to the octagon after a five year hiatus, Nick Diaz was set to fight a recently returned BJ Penn in a battle of top welterweight fighters. Penn was coming off a win and a draw and showed no signs of rust after his layoff.
In a rare event, Diaz went about business without his usual antics as he and Penn put on a spectacular fight. Diaz showed great patience as he defended against Penn’s attempts on the ground and was able to supply a ton of offense late in the fight to win by unanimous decision. This victory against a high-ranked Penn set Nick Diaz as a top contender once again.
Nick Diaz was set to face UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 143, but an injury to GSP sent UFC scrambling to come up with a replacement to fight Diaz. Carlos Condit was called upon to face Diaz for the interim welterweight title.
Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit went toe to toe the entire fight, with both fighters able to stick to their game plans in a very close fight. Diaz showed restraint, toughness and tenacity, and many fans and experts had him slightly ahead when the final bell rang without a victor in the octagon. The judges, however, gave the fight, and the interim title, to Condit by decision. Even though Diaz lost this fight, it ranks as one of his best performances due to the toughness and effort put forth in a match that required incredible discipline.
After losing via decision to Condit, Nick Diaz wouldn’t fight again until UFC 183 when he stepped into the octagon with Anderson Silva who was returning to action for the second time after recovering from a broken leg suffered at UFC 168. Considering these were two of the most popular fighters in the UFC, this was the most anticipated match on the card.
This match, however, is more known for the antics of Diaz rather than the fighting prowess of these two top fighters. As soon as the fight started, Nick Diaz rushed the center of the octagon, dropped his gloves and began barking at Silva. What happened a minute into the fight was a sight that was over the top, even given Diaz’ reputation. Nick laid down on the mat and struck a pose every fight fan can instantly recall. Moments later, he even turned his back on Silva, earning him a warning from the official.
In the end, Anderson Silva took the win via judges’ decision, but this fight will be remembered for a long time thanks to the antics of Diaz.
UFC 47 featured a fight between 20-year-old Nick Diaz and 22-year-old Robbie Lawler, two promising young fighters who would go on to stellar UFC careers.
Diaz’ character was relatively unknown at the time and when he came out jawing at Lawler it came a surprise. After trash-talking for a moment, Diaz caught Lawler with a right hand causing him to lose his balance giving Nick the opportunity to go on the offensive. As the first round progressed, Diaz continued to taunt Lawler and eventually hit him with his signature “Stockton Slap.”
After the wild first round, the second round continued the frenzied pace as it appeared Lawler would have to knock out Diaz to win the fight, and Robbie was able to take the momentum away, although only briefly. Diaz regained his composure as the two traded strikes and hit Lawler with a right hand that sent him face first to the mat giving Nick Diaz the win via KO in one of the best fights of his career.
Nick Diaz will return to the ring at UFC 266 to once again square off against Robbie Lawler in a five round fight that will be only the second main-event fight in history that didn’t have a title on the line. While it’s been 17 years since Diaz and Lawler fought their last memorable fight, this will be one of the most anticipated fights in a long time. Many fans consider this fight too close to call, but we’re going to go with Diaz once again walking away victorious if he maintains his cool.
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