Saying he’s a boring fighter is an opinion. I enjoy watching him fight because he’s very technical and well rounded. He dominated Diaz for 24 full minutes. It’s easy to get pieced up by somebody when you’re not expecting it and surrounded by the event staff before the guy takes off. I can’t even remember the last fight Leon was in that was close. He has dominated pretty much everyone he’s fought, and was clearly beating Belal before the eye poke.
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Cant deny the needle. Along the road of having his skin ripped apart and his leg battered, the crowd exclaimed anytime he landed a single punch. He’s a fan favorite and I can’t deny it. How much time does he or his brain have left? They made a gimmic belt for him. They made a 5 round 3rd to last fight for him. He’s clearly very valuable to the ufc even outside of his record or set of skills. Does the ufc have a bigger draw who will never sniff a title shot?
I say let him fight middle of the main card every event as five rounds, forever. They love it. I think I love it too. Just hope he is still verbal in 10 years. These Diaz will never change. Just strap in and watch, for better or worse.
Thanks.
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Leon played himself stepping to Masvidal. He should’ve shut the fuck up. Masvidal went up with his hands behind his back before bringing them forward and teeing off on him. They both got separated in that incident. Everything else I agree with.
I don’t think he realized how BADLY he hurt him. Nate isn’t known for his power, he’s a volume striker. You see it all the time – guy lands a solid shot and he points and says ya I got you. Nate knew he landed a clean shot just wasn’t expecting it to do the damage it did.
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I’d tend to agree, but I noticed Nate was really loading up on his shots and throwing a little heat tonight. I’m kind of shocked that he didn’t think he could rock him if he landed solid if that’s the case.
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Yeah I agree that he should have shut up. I’ve already gotten plenty of criticism for saying it, but what Jorge did that night didn’t impress me.
When was the last time nate rocked a legit welterweight? Just by looking at his record maybe 11 years ago vs Marcus Davis and/or rory Markham?
You make a valid point and really only nate can answer the question. Hopefully he gets asked about it.
War Nate
Leon looked great apart from the last minute, leg kicks hurt diaz early then sliced him up with the elbows and landed some hard shots impressive.
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Leon is talented fought a smart fight but he really needed to finish Nate if he wanted to guarantee that title shot.
Nate could still do big business with McGregor if he loses again to Dustin that fight is still a main event.
No
Cool, that’s your perspective as an active fan of MMA who understands the sport.
Now put on your casual eyes. What does an average person take away from that performance? Leon threw his little bitch kicks all fight, he was scared to exchange with Nate, and rightfully so because Diaz had him wobbling around and headed toward death’s door until the bell saved his life.
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Diaz was waiting for the 6th round so he could let loose.
Diaz rematch when Leon holds the belt…
Leon looked ok to me. Beating Nate at 170 and almost getting KOed in the process at this point doesn’t do much for his stock … he threw nice leg kicks but he couldn’t take it to Nate with one leg
Keep in mind Leon’s win gets a title shot vs Usman. From what I’ve seen Leon poses no threat towards him. I was hoping Leon’s performance here would get me amped up for his shot can Kamaru but it did the opposite
Lol. Why?
To give Diaz a chance at holding the belt , ala Bispings belt. Not every champion must be a 14-0 phenom.
Nate really fucked me up last night. I wish he would have moved his head more.
Leon got bored of easy work. Lost focus, but won easily.
3. Nate Diaz loses, but comes out a winner
How did it happen that despite getting battered for 24 minutes by Leon Edwards, one good moment to close the fight made Nate Diaz feel like an even bigger star coming out of this event?
That’s the power of this man’s brand, but you shouldn’t be surprised, motherf*ckers.
Anyone who has been paying attention knows Diaz’s (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) star power in the UFC has outgrown wins or titles. He has that unique element to him that can allow him to land one strong punch against Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in an otherwise one-sided fight, and then have the majority of the social media feedback claiming he was the real winner, despite clearly losing four of five rounds.
It was all he needed, though. The moment opened the door for Nate to very predictably bust out the Diaz brothers classic about how he would’ve won with “street rules” or in a fight to the death, and that’s exactly the route he went at the post-fight press conference.
You can’t blame him, either. The people eat him up, and will carry the water of that narrative on his behalf moving forward.
Because of that, Diaz remains in such position that he can continue to pick his moments. He said he wants to get back in three or four months, but it all depends on the options that surface. When a good fight arises – such as a Conor McGregor trilogy or a Jorge Masvidal “BMF” title rematch – he can jump back in and have no one care in the least about the result with Edwards.