UFC 143: Diaz v. Condit

I've got Diaz by lopsided decision, or by a late stoppage.

John Hackleman broke down this fight, and I was in complete agreement with what he said - this fight will play out alot like Nate Diaz vs Donald Cerrone.

I think Diaz will pressure Condit, stay inside, and live off of putting his jab in Carlos' face constantly. Carlos tends to stay upright, and his head on a level plain, even when he is getting punched. Dan Hardy had the right idea on how to take advantage by countering Condit with hooks, but Hardy tried to live off those hooks without using his jab more frequently.

In Diaz's fight with Cerrone, Nate lived off of using his jab and counter hooks to absolutely work over Cerrone. Condit is a VERY similar striker to Cerrone, although Condit may have slightly better movement. However, their striking defense, namely their head movement, leaves alot to be desired.

Diaz will his jab and counter hook to dismantle Condit. I believe Carlos will hang in, because he is simply one tough *you know what*, and may be able to ride out a decision loss.

Two other fights I'm excited to see ..

Jorgensen vs Barao - Should be a WAR. Jorgensen is always a game fighter, and one of the strongest P4P fighters in the world. His submission of Chad George a while back was laughable. Barao is the phenom, the next big thing, with a 20+ fight win streak. Incredible striker and submission artist. Love the fight.

The other fight is Stephen Thompson vs Dan Stittgen. I cannot wait to see how a fighter with the background of Thompson adapts to the UFC. He's 5-0 in MMA, but he is 56-0 as a kickboxer with 40 KOs. Usually fighters like Thompson struggle with the UFC due to the lack of a ground game, but Thompson has a slight advantage over most considering that his brother-in-law is BJJ legend Carlos Machado.

Thompson has been training at TriStar with Firas Zahabi for this fight. I'm expecting a HUGE debut from this guy.

Highlight vid ..

[youtube]QqJ0nIV34fM[/youtube]
 
Thanks for the tip on Thomspson. I'll have to check him out.

I'm hoping Condit learned from the Diaz-Cerrone fight and makes more use of his kicking. Of course, that's easier said than done with the relentless Diaz stalking you, hitting you with jabs and quick combos.
 
Sasquatch;4405440 said:
Thanks for the tip on Thomspson. I'll have to check him out.

I'm hoping Condit learned from the Diaz-Cerrone fight and makes more use of his kicking. Of course, that's easier said than done with the relentless Diaz stalking you, hitting you with jabs and quick combos.

If I remeber the Cerrone/Diaz fight I think Cerrone used his kicks all fight long, but Diaz was just to much for him.
 
I cant wait for Nelson vs Werdum, that is going to be the fight of the century. Ok, you caught me, I am kidding.

Looking forward to Diaz/Cerrone, Diaz is a punk but he is also exciting to watch. I think he will win going away as well. He has shown steady improvement since he got into the octagon.
 
OH SNAP!

Gonna be tough to beat what Stephen Thompson just did for KOTN. Highlight reel KO.
 
the_h0wey;4405646 said:
If I remeber the Cerrone/Diaz fight I think Cerrone used his kicks all fight long, but Diaz was just to much for him.

He boxed with Diaz for the first round and half, I think, before utlilizing his superior kicking and landing some good shots toward the end. Too litlte, too late, though.
 
BigWillie;4405781 said:
OH SNAP!

Gonna be tough to beat what Stephen Thompson just did for KOTN. Highlight reel KO.

Just caught the replay. That was a pretty impressive head kick after a powerful combo.
 
Cerrone didn't utilize his kicks all that much in his fight against Nate. IIRC, he landed like 15 leg kicks in that fight. Cannot remember the exact number, but I do remember laughing at the fact Nate out struck Cerrone 2.5:1, with Nate landing 200+ strikes in that fight.

It was almost like watching a boxing clinic with how much Nate utilized his jab and counter hook in that fight. Cerrone had always been a stalking fighter, and pretty stiff with head movement, and Nate ripped him apart because of it.
 
Got to give it up to Big Country, the guy doesnt know what the word quit means.
 
And that's exactly why I never bet money on MMA. No matter how confident you may be in what you think, fighters evolve greatly even in short periods. Condit's movement, what I thought would lose him the fight, ended up winning him the fight.

Great fight.
 
Cant believe Diaz says he is going to retire. He knew not to let it go to a decision. He had 5 rounds to close it out and he didnt.
 
BigWillie;4406005 said:
And that's exactly why I never bet money on MMA. No matter how confident you may be in what you think, fighters evolve greatly even in short periods. Condit's movement, what I thought would lose him the fight, ended up winning him the fight.

Great fight.

He didn't let Diaz get into his head like Cerrone and executed a smart gameplan flawlessly.

Diaz is a sore loser.
 
Sasquatch;4406009 said:
He didn't let Diaz get into his head like Cerrone and executed a smart gameplan flawlessly.

Diaz is a sore loser.

Agreed.
 
Kind of a boring fight if you ask me, Condit's strategy won it for him but it is lame to watch a guy run around scared for 5 rounds. Diaz got a bit impatient and frustrated because Condit wouldnt fight in the 3rd and 4th rounds and it cost him the fight in my opinion. I dont agree with the 2 guys who scored it 49-46, that is a bit of a stretch, I had it 48-47.
 
Diaz loves to fight on the inside. He loves to pressure, get people in close quarters or against the cage, and unleash a flurry of punches to the head and body. Instead of Condit staying on the inside, he kept attacking the lead leg and circling out to not let Diaz get where he is comfortable.

To me, he fought the perfect fight to take away Diaz's strength and to frustrate him.

It's like having the '00 Ravens defense. Was watching the Ravens back then that great? No, it wasn't sexy. But guess what, it won them a Super Bowl.

Once you get in there, anyone would do what they have to do to win a fight. Does it make you more fans? Nope. But does it get you a belt and put more money in the bank for you and your family? Yep, and that's the only thing that really matters at the end of the day.
 
Doomsday;4406019 said:
it is lame to watch a guy run around scared for 5 rounds.

What you call "running around scared," I call dictating where the fight takes place and neutralizing your opponents strength with movement. I thought it was a joy to watch Condit execute his strategy so well.
 
Sasquatch;4406026 said:
What you call "running around scared," I call dictating where the fight takes place and neutralizing your opponents strength with movement. I thought it was a joy to watch Condit execute his strategy so well.
Agreed.

Condit used great angles/foot work in the fight.
 
Sasquatch;4406026 said:
What you call "running around scared," I call dictating where the fight takes place and neutralizing your opponents strength with movement. I thought it was a joy to watch Condit execute his strategy so well.

To each their own, Id rather watch a fight where they actually fight each other. I have no interest in watching a guy who is back pedaling and running 3/4 of the fight. Condit may have won, but the UFC wont be getting another $55 from me next time he is the main event.
 
Doomsday;4406034 said:
To each their own, Id rather watch a fight where they actually fight each other. I have no interest in watching a guy who is back pedaling and running 3/4 of the fight. Condit may have won, but the UFC wont be getting another $55 from me next time he is the main event.

You paid $55 to watch the fight? :lmao2:

Just teasin' you, man.
 

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