Photo by Esther Lin for MMAFighting.com
In the semi-main event of UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem, Lightweights Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone faced off in a superb technical stand-up war. In the end, Diaz emerged victorious via unanimous decision. Diaz is now on a two fight undefeated streak since returning to Lightweight earlier this year, and is 15-7 overall. Cerrone suffers the first loss of his UFC career, dropping to 17-4, 1 NC.
Heading into this fight, I felt it would be a striking clash between the Diaz brothers' style of boxing and Cerrone's Muay Thai, and that is how it played out. But in this fight, it was Diaz's boxing that reigned supreme. Diaz simply outstruck Cerrone, setting a new record for accuracy of punches en route to the win. But it was still a great fight, as Cerrone attempted to utilize his own striking to counteract the Diaz onslaught. In the end, Diaz's pace was too much, and Cerrone fell.
What was the high spot of this fight?
The whole thing was excellent, but I was a particularly big fan of round 2, where Cerrone started to figure out Diaz and find some success with his leg kicks. And for non-fighting highlights, there's always the Nate Diaz double bird to start round 3.
Where do these guys go from here?
Tough call here. As said above, Diaz is only on a 2 fight win streak at Lightweight, but his high profile win here, plus his ability to sell a fight, could move him closer to contention. Lightweight is such a tough division where every time you think someone has momentum to be the next title challenger, they get taken out - we've seen it with Jim Miller, with Dennis Siver, with Melvin Guillard, and now with Cerrone. So I'd like Nate to next face the winner of Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon, with a title shot on the line, but the trouble is - who would the champ face in the meantime? Joe Silva has his work cut out for him here.
Cerrone has a huge list of possible opponents. I'd perhaps go with the loser of Guillard vs. Miller in a few weeks. But what I'd really like to see from these two is another fight, this time main eventing on TV for 5 rounds. Doesn't have to be their next fight, but I hope it happens.
Watch it now, later or never?
Now. This was Fight of the Night and honestly, one of my picks for fight of the year. Great stuff.
More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC 141 in the full entry.
0 recs | 79 comments
Nate put such an ass whoopin on donald
Cerrone fans/Diaz haters are miserable
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Oh, yeah, that LOVABLE Nate Diaz...
Donald Cerrone: Nate Diaz said he didn’t want to do ‘any of that gay wrestling sh*t’
Cannot wait for him to get a shot at Frankie Edgar or Ben Henderson and then watch would either of them would do to him. But especially Frankie.
duck - January 1, 2012
I can't wait either
Frankie would beat the hell out of Diaz’s fists with his face.
Honestly, I think it’d be good but Frankie would edge em.
cager - January 1, 2012
I think so too, but out of Frankie and Bendo, Edgar is a much better fight for Nate. Frankie Is a far better striker, but I’m not sure how much that’ll come into play. And out of the two, Henderson is a better wrestler.
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
I honestly feel Bendo is the better striker overall while Frankie is hands down the better boxer and uses better movement. I feel Frankie is the far superior wrestler while Bendo is the better grappler overall.
JaeeJaee - January 1, 2012 via mobile
On the feet,
Edgar gets lit up badly.
Frankie is too small and doesn’t have the power to make Diaz respect him(I know he KO’d Maynard but he’s never really hurt anyone other than that). He can’t control the pace there against Diaz either.
On the ground, Frankie may have some success keeping it there but he’d be defending subs and sweeps constantly for 25 minutes against a really lanky, technical BJJ player.
Close fight though. Just because of Frankie’s TD’s.
TheFilt - January 1, 2012
Diaz has an iron chin but...
Edgar also tko’d Mark Bocek with a straight left and dropped Matt Veach with a hook, which led to the submission win. The guy has a bit of power, and Nate has been dropped before. I think a guy who outboxed prime Penn wouldn’t be a fish out of water against Diaz.
But I got edgar by wrestling
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Styles make fights
BJ sits in the pocket.
Diaz never stops walking forward and throws constantly.
Look what Nick did to BJ. That pretty much speaks for itself.
Nate’s taken been dropped but never seems dazed for more than a split second and he’s also traded with Melvin Guillard and Gray Maynard.
TheFilt - January 1, 2012
PLEASE let Nate take a step or two towards Frankie
Makes the takedown that much easier.
duck - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Didn't work out well for Maynard
He tapped him the first time. Gray didn’t even want to take him down in the second.
TheFilt - January 1, 2012
Maynard and Edgar are two different fighters. Edgar wasn’t scared of BJ’s ground game, I don’t think he’ll be unprepared for Diaz’s.
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Edgar spent very little time in BJ's guard
He’ll look for takedowns for points, but stand back up before he gets into trouble.
Chris Hall - January 1, 2012
yep
I think he’d take Diaz down and try to do damage to him while Diaz was getting back up…I don’t see him taking Nate down and working to pass the guard, just taking him down, flurrying and then letting him get back up.
rinse and repeat for 5 rounds and he’ll probably win. Diaz has good length to catch him coming in though, making for a very interesting and exciting fight.
Luke Nelson - January 2, 2012
Also
The reach.
Nate is a lanky 6’. Frankie is a compact 5’6".
It’d be really hard for Edgar to get inside. Especially since Diaz walks forward and constantly throws.
TheFilt - January 1, 2012
I don't know if I trust Donald to accurately quote anything.
bigstupidsmile - January 1, 2012
I’m one of them. I need to watch that fight again. I spent the whole time thinking WTF is Cerrone doing that I couldn’t enjoy it. I liked the double bird.
Inspectorxr5 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
this is untrue
I am an unapologetic Cerrone fan and a recovering Diaz hater and I loved that fight. I’ve watched it four times so far. Nate was so accurate, I’m blown away.
cletusvandam - January 1, 2012
Nate vs Frankie would be the absolute greatest, and almost impossible to predict. As much as I wanna say that Edgar would wilt under Diaz’s pressure, looking back at the Maynard fights I’m reassured that its impossible to count Frankie out. Damn I want Nate to get the next title shot..
savik - January 1, 2012
Frankie would win handily
Afrotikiman - January 1, 2012 via mobile
It would be pretty easy to predict...
Diaz doesn’t have KO power and Frankie is a lot faster, add in his wrestling ability and its Frankie easily.(And this is coming for someone who hates Edgar). I’d prefer Bendo vs Diaz personally.
DCJon. - January 1, 2012 via mobile
we must have just typed this at the same time.. bendo vs diaz would be a scrap.
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
Frankie uses takedowns mainly for points, he doesn’t stay in guard for an extended amount of time. And yeah he’s faster but I sincerely doubt Diaz would just stay there and get hit without doing anything like Gray did in the last fight and BJ did in the rematch. Nate’s pace combined with his cardio would make for a very interesting fight overall..I think it would be closer than you’re making it out to be
savik - January 1, 2012
any fight nathan diaz is in is a close fight!
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
I know a certain Canadian prodigy who would disagree
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
different weight class and he didnt finish diaz and Im pretty sure Diaz still fought his ass off
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
Nate is a game fighter
And I enjoy his personality a hell of a lot more then Nick. But your statement was that any Nate Diaz fight is a close fight, and you never specified a weightclass. I think McDonald smashed that notion, by dropping Nate on his head.
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Maybe im being biased. Im not saying those slams by mcdonald wernt bad ass. But there was no point in the fight where I thought Diaz would be stopped and he fought till the end. Maybe it wasnt a close fight. But Diaz is always in a fight if that makes any sense. Since you brought up Mcdonald I would love to see him fight hendricks next.
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
McDonald/Hendricks would be great. But I’d hate to throw Rory in there after a loing layoff. DHK woiuld be a good comeback fight. Hendricks should fight someone like Ellenberger to set up the next contender
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
great point! I think it is time for rory to get thrown to the sharks, I think he would whoop an overrated kim IMO. So you think ellenberger will beat diego to? Diego also is one of my favorite fighters but I see Ellenberger as the future champ..
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
Rory's already booked for a fight against Che Mills
Chris Hall - January 1, 2012
shit thats right.. i actually think mills is a more dangerous opponent than kim..
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
That’s a good comeback fight for sure. Haven’t really been keeping up with the match making lately so I know many suggestions I make will be untenable
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
That’s a good comeback fight for sure. Haven’t really been keeping up with the match making lately so I know many suggestions I make will be untenable
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
You don't need to be close to finishing someone
in order to be dominating. Nate was completely nullified that fight. DHK controlled Diaz pretty well also iirc.
DCJon. - January 1, 2012
Nate wasn't controlled at all
in the DHK fight.
He was scrambling and threatening the entire first two rounds and poured it on Kim in the 3rd.
TheFilt - January 1, 2012
The scrambles I remember, the threatening I do not
DCJon. - January 2, 2012
I thought Nate won that fight.
For sure he outstruck Kim and overall I thought he had more “control” on the ground, despite being on bottom.
Luke Nelson - January 2, 2012
Agreed
I like DHK personally but his fight with Nate was another example of a guy winning a fight by getting top position and hanging on for dear life while the dude underneath him does more effective work from the guard. Torres v DJ or Castillo’s victory this weekend are similar case studies imo
Mattyjudo - January 2, 2012 via Android app
I guess I should rewatch it
But like you said it wasn’t very exciting so I just can’t bring myself to do it.
DCJon. - January 2, 2012
After Lauzon beats pettis its been a long time coming for Diaz vs lauzon and for a title shot would sweeten it. I love nate diaz but i think he still will struggle with wrestlers and I think Edgar would be able to decision him.
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
i agree with lauzon vs diaz a long time coming
I’ve been wanting to see them fifgt since TUF season 5.
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 1, 2012 via mobile
*fight
Oh, and I’m gay.
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 1, 2012 via mobile
As have I ! everyone sleeps on lauzon. Ive wanted to see the rematch
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
yes people always sleep on lauzon
Dude is an awesome fighter. He stopped melvin, knocked out jens, and he sets a pace that can’t be topped. It seems that he is way stronger than he looks and has a great killer instinct. Dude is just nasty. His biggest problem for him has been his gas tank. Until he gets that fixed I don’t think he could hang with diaz for the full 3/5 rounds..
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Two of my favorite fighters.. But id prob think nate would sub him. Tough for me to admit with my new england bias, Either way they both bring it, would be and awesome fight
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
Nate is the most marketable guy in the UFC at 155 if they do the right job with him. Maynard, Miller and Guida are good fighters but i wouldn’t stay up till 4.30 am to watch them main event a card like i would Diaz.
No more messing about, Diaz has just taken out the most hyped guy in his weight class, give him a title shot next.
sheikybaby - January 1, 2012
I would totally be fine with that I love Diaz and your right he is marketable and hot right now. I just think he will struggle with edgars speed and wrestling. Why not give him the shot though? I mean he arguably put an ass whooping on a potential number one contender.
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
I think bendo will beat frankie though.. Now Bendo vs Diaz would be a fun fight !
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
Henderson vs Diaz would be one of the most exciting fights possible in MMA.
sheikybaby - January 1, 2012
abso-fucking-lutely
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 1, 2012 via mobile
I have a feeling that fight would be similar to the Rory/Nate fight.
Hendo is just too strong of a grappler imo. He’d rag doll Nate.
I agree with mlzybaby, Ben will probably beat Frankie. I just am not sure that he and Diaz would be the barnburner of a fight that Frankie/Diaz would be.
Luke Nelson - January 2, 2012
Also would love to see Cowboy vs Pettis.
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
Diaz-Barboza/Etim winner
Cerrone-Tibau
MattParker117 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
I like both of these
Tibau is a good rebound fight, and Barboza/Diaz would be fireworks.
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Tibau is on a win streak, that wouldn't be too fair for him...
I think Diaz vs Barboza/Etim would be a great fight. Cowboy should fight the loser of that fight.
Tibau is in line for a good fight against a winning fighter, maybe Danny Castillo would be a good match up for him.
Luke Nelson - January 2, 2012
I picked Cerrone
But it’s good to see his silly “title run” has been squashed.
SSreporters - January 1, 2012
yup yup
His hype train got smashed into little Fuckin pieces
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 1, 2012 via mobile
There was nothing silly about his title run
He won four fights and one of those was against a fringe top ten contender. He was a few wins short of a title shot but he was well on his way. No reason to assume he picks up where he left off
sitnam90 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
true story!
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
Fair enough he won four fights...
…but only the Siver fight was really a title caliber win. I think the pre fight chatter that a victory over Diaz would have given him a title shot was a little premature. Now he’s in the top tier of the division and we’ll see what he can do. Remember Dan Hardy? He had a nice little run to the title as well but it’s been proven that he isn’t exactly top caliber. I think the UFC is guarding against putting guys into the title without really cutting their teeth first.
Look at Ben Hendersons strength of schedule over his last five fights:
Guida, Miller, Bocek, Pettis, Cerrone. All those guys are in the top 25 and four of them have been inside the top 10 at some point in their careers. That’s impressive competition.
As for Cerrone, he’s fought Kelly, Rocha, Oliviera, Siver and Diaz. Only two top ten guys and now he’s lost to one of them, so you can see how he really has quite a bit more work to do to really make a claim to a title shot.
Luke Nelson - January 2, 2012
Still got love for the cowboy the guy is a bad dude.. Diaz just looked incredible. I still dont understand why cowboy never tried to jump into the guard after dropping diaz with the leg kicks. I know how dangerous Diaz is on the ground but still..
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
I really didn’t think this was that great of a fight, definitely isn’t a contender for FOTY and I’d say that it shouldn’t have won FOTN (Hettes/Phan and Castillo/Njou were both more interesting for me for some weird ass reason).
T.C. Engel - January 1, 2012
Hettes/Phan, I can understand.
Castillo/Njokuani, not so much. Too much inactivity IMO and the tension of hoping Njou could lant something magical in the stand really ruined that fight for me.
GreyedOut - January 1, 2012
Yeah, Castillo/Njukuani wasn't too great of a fight to me...
…seemed like Castillo got a little tired and Nju didn’t capitalize on it.
Hettes/Phan wasn’t as close a fight as Diaz/Cerrone, so I’m pretty okay with it not getting fight of the night. If Phan had made a little bit of a comeback I’d say yeah that was fight of the night. I mean it was 30-25, 30-25, 30-26….How could that be considered the fight of the night?
Luke Nelson - January 2, 2012
It was more an exhibition of high-output boxing by Diaz than a great fight, even though Cerrone was game as a bull terrier. Apart from the leg kicks that kept strangely dropping Diaz (but never hurting him), Diaz was in control the whole fight.
sheikybaby - January 1, 2012
FOTY? It was pretty much one sided. Not even top 5
Randy Marsh - January 1, 2012
Diaz could get a title shot next due to marketing alone.
his brother is going for themww interim title shot. Dana would love to market the possibility of two brothers holding belts.
If Nick beats Condit, i think Nate gets the royaal treatment. he’s looked great sincemhis return to LW, so i’d be down.
Nate vs. Frankie/Bendo would be a great 5 round fight.
Otherwise, i want to see Nate vs. Pettis for 5 as a main event.
Snatchl - January 1, 2012
Zuffa would love the have Nate as the LW champ
That way, people will actually buy the title fights.
TheFilt - January 1, 2012
Alright, you're laying the Diaz love pretty heavy through this thread..
But you can’t tell me you actually think lil Diaz is a PPV draw.
Chris Hall - January 1, 2012
He could be eventually
People actually want to see his fights.
If he was the main event for a FOX or FX show it would have some great ratings.
TheFilt - January 1, 2012
I agree
he is underrated. After the year the Diaz brothers had last year they’ll be top draws in 2012, especially Nate after this win.
Luke Nelson - January 2, 2012
I can’t believe all the people that wrote off Diaz. Saying cerronne would not only win, but stop him. Crazy talk.
J smooth 420 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Those people
are no where to be found.
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 1, 2012
I'm right here
Chris Hall - January 1, 2012
I didn't think either man would be finished.
But I did pick Cerrone.
Andy Davis - January 2, 2012
i like both diaz brothers
i picked cowboy to win this joint. i thought the leg kicks would be to much for nate. would take the snap out of his punches sap his cardio. maybe even take nate out in the 3rd. the problem was cerrone couldn’t handle the output he did what other people do. try to fight through the swarm of punches. which is the worst thing to do because if you miss that half power punch becomes a counter. cerrone is game and took alot of shots but never stopped fighting back. i would like to see them fight again but i think it would be a closer fight with diaz still winning. cerrone messed up round one and he seemed like he was waiting for diaz to get tired in the 2nd round. he would sweep his legs out from under him but was scared to go down to the ground with him. he was using that time to catch his breath
BIGNAT - January 2, 2012
Looks like you bet on the wrong horse.
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 1, 2012
it happens
Chris Hall - January 1, 2012
True. MMA can be very unpredictable. I still can't believe fitch got KTFO
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - January 1, 2012
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