Nathan Diaz
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Name | Nathan Diaz |
| Nickname | N/A | |
| Association | Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu | |
| Weight Class | Lightweight (155 lbs.) / Welterweight (170 lbs.) | |
| Height | 6' 0" (183 cm) | |
| Reach | 76.0 in (193 cm) | |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing | |
| Birth Date | April 16, 1985 | |
| Fighting Out Of | Stockton, California | |
| Country | USA | |
| Nate Diaz Pictures | http://www.nathandiaz.com |
Nathan (Nate) Anthony Diaz is an American mixed martial artist, currently competing for the UFC in their Welterweight division, though he has previously fought in their Lightweight division. He is well known as The Ultimate Fighter 5 champion, and has amassed victories in Strikeforce and the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) promotions. Diaz is a graduate of Tokay High School in Lodi, California and holds a brown belt in Cesar Gracie jiu-jitsu. He is the younger brother of UFC veteran, EliteXC Welterweight title-contender, and Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz.
Diaz is affiliated with the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Pleasant Hill, California, where he trains under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie, and alongside notable fighters such as his brother Nick Diaz, former EliteXC Welterweight and Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields, and Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez.
Contents |
Professional Record
| Record | 16 - 8 - 0 (Win – Loss – Draw) |
| Wins | 3 (T)KOs 11 Submissions 2 Decisions |
| Losses | 0 (T)KOs 1 Submissions 7 Decisions |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Benson Henderson | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC on FOX 5: Henderson vs. Diaz | 12/8/2012 | 5 | 5:00 | For UFC Lightweight Championship |
| Win | Jim Miller | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | UFC on FOX 3: Diaz vs. Miller | 5/5/2012 | 2 | 4:09 | Won Submission of the Night and earned future Lightweight Championship Bout |
| Win | Donald Cerrone | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem | 12/30/2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Won Fight of the Night |
| Win | Takanori Gomi | Submission (Armbar) | UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage | 9/24/2011 | 1 | 4:27 | Won Submission of the Night |
| Loss | Rory MacDonald | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields | 4/30/2011 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Dong Hyun Kim | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 125: Resolution | 1/01/2011 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Marcus Davis | Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) | UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2 | 8/28/2010 | 3 | 4:02 | Won Fight of the Night |
| Win | Rory Markham | TKO (Punches) | UFC 111: St. Pierre vs. Hardy | 3/27/2010 | 1 | 2:47 | Welterweight debut; Bout featured live on SpikeTV; Markham failed to make weight, weighing in at 177 lbs |
| Loss | Gray Maynard | Decision (Split) | UFC Fight Night 20: Maynard vs. Diaz | 1/11/2010 | 3 | 5:00 | (29-28, 27-30, 29-28) |
| Win | Melvin Guillard | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | UFC Fight Night 19: Diaz vs. Guillard | 9/16/2009 | 2 | 2:13 | Won Submission of the Night Honors |
| Loss | Joe Stevenson | Decision (Unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale | 6/20/2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Won Fight of the Night Honors |
| Loss | Clay Guida | Decision (Split) | UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 | 1/31/2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Won Fight of the Night Honors |
| Win | Josh Neer | Decision (Split) | UFC Fight Night 15: Diaz vs. Neer | 9/17/2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Won Fight of the Night Honors |
| Win | Kurt Pellegrino | Submission (Triangle Choke) | UFC Fight Night 13: Florian vs. Lauzon | 4/02/2008 | 2 | 3:06 | Won Submission of the Night Honors |
| Win | Alvin Robinson | Submission (Triangle Choke) | UFC Fight Night 12: Swick vs. Burkman | 1/23/2008 | 1 | 3:39 | |
| Win | Junior Assuncao | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | UFC Fight Night: Thomas vs. Florian | 9/19/2007 | 1 | 4:10 | |
| Win | Manny Gamburyan | Submission (Shoulder Injury) | The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale | 6/23/2007 | 2 | 0:20 | UFC debut; Won The Ultimate Fighter 5 when Gamburyan dislocated his shoulder |
| Loss | Hermes Franca | Submission (Armbar) | WEC 24: Full Force | 10/12/2006 | 2 | 2:46 | For WEC Lightweight Championship |
| Win | Dennis Davis | Submission (Keylock) | WC: Warrior Cup | 8/12/2006 | 1 | 2:00 | |
| Win | Joe Hurley | Submission (Triangle Choke) | WEC 21: Tapout | 6/15/2006 | 2 | 2:03 | |
| Win | Gil Rael | TKO (Punches) | WEC 20: Cinco de Mayhem | 5/05/2006 | 1 | 3:35 | |
| Win | Tony Juares | TKO (Punches) | Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie | 3/10/2006 | 1 | 3:23 | |
| Loss | Koji Oishi | Decision (Unanimous) | Pancrase: 2005 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals | 8/27/2005 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Alex Garcia | Submission (Triangle Choke) | WEC 12: Halloween Fury 3 | 10/21/2004 | 3 | 2:17 | |
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Nate Diaz first competed in major regional promotions such as the WEC and Strikefroce. He gained prominence in the WEC, even competing for the WEC Lightweight Championship against Hermes Franca at WEC 24: Full Force. He lost the fight, but then gained a spot on the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter.
The Ultimate Fighter
Nate Diaz was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 5: Team Penn vs. Team Pulver, exclusively featuring Lightweights. He fought on former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver's team.
In the preliminary round, Diaz defeated Rob Emerson by submission; in the quarterfinals he defeated fellow Team Pulver teammate Corey Hill via triangle choke in the first round. In the semifinals, he defeated Team Penn member Gray Maynard by submission, advancing to the finals where he faced Manvel Gamburyan. Though Gamburyan won the first round, he was forced to submit in the second round due to the dislocation of his right shoulder as the result of attempting a takedown. With this, Diaz became the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 5.
Career In The UFC
After Diaz defeated Gamburyan in his UFC debut, he went on to defeat Junior Assuncao at UFC Fight Night 11 and Alvin Robinson at UFC Fight Night 12: Swick vs. Burkman. In the post-fight interview, after the fight with Robinson, Diaz demanded tougher fighters.
Diaz was given a match with Kurt Pellegrino at UFC Fight Night 13: Florian vs. Lauzon. Diaz defeated Pellegrino via Submission (Triangle Choke) in the second round. The choke was so well placed that Diaz had time to flex for the crowd and throw up double middle fingers before putting Pellegrino away. The submission was so technically sound that he won the Submission of the Night Honors.
Diaz then went on to defeat Josh Neer by split decision at UFC Fight Night 15: Diaz vs. Neer, winning the Fight of the Night Honors.
His next fight took place at UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 against Clay Guida where Diaz lost by a very controversial split decision. Many believed that Guida's relentless attacks, continuous takedowns and good defense scored enough points to make it a Unanimous Decision victory. The fight was so fast paced and entertaining, that the two won Fight of the Night Honors. The loss was Diaz's first loss in the UFC.
Coming off his first loss in the UFC, Diaz signed the papers to fight Joe Stevenson, who was coming off a loss to Lightweight new-comer Diego Sanchez. Diaz lost a hard fought unanimous decision, winning the Fight of the Night Honors. The award was the fourth Fight Night awards in his previous four fights, and his third straight Fight of the Night Honors.
Diaz next stepped into the octagon as the headlining bout for UFC Fight Night 19 on September 16, 2009 against Melvin Guillard, who was on a three-fight win streak. Diaz had minimal trouble cutting weight, weighing 156.5 lbs. on his first attempt at the weigh in (0.5 lbs. over what is accepted). His trainer Cesar Gracie said that Diaz was having trouble cutting the weight, but on his second attempt he was able to shed the extra 0.5 lbs., weighing in at the allowed 156 lbs. Diaz was hurt early in the first round but regained his senses. He lost the first round decisively, but in the second round he sunk in a fight ending guillotine choke as Guillard went in for a take down. The victory broke a two-fight losing streak and won him Submission of the Night Honors. By earning the award, it marked the fifth fight in a row that Diaz has earned a Fight Night bonus. After the win, in an interview with MMAjunkie, Diaz stated that he wanted to fight top-level opponents, saying: "I don't want to go down. I want to go up."
Diaz was then scheduled to fight Lightweight contender Gray Maynard, whom Diaz submitted previously on The Ultimate Fighter 5, though that previous fight was considered an exhibition match and was not counted toward either fighters record. The bout took place as the main event on January 11, 2010 at UFC Fight Night 20. The bout was a lackluster bout on both ends, where Diaz seemed to take Maynard out of his element with his trademark trash talking. Maynard's trainer, Randy Couture was visibly bothered by Maynard not sticking with his game plan and falling into Diaz's game, as was heard in between rounds. The two stood and sloppily traded with one another for three rounds straight, though it was Maynard who seemed to get the better of the exchanges, winning the Decision (Split), and handing Diaz his third loss in four fights.
After the loss, Diaz told fans on GracieFighter.com that he could possibly move up to Welterweight, as well as gave his feelings about his performance.
- “I really don't think I'm going to stay at 155 pounds,” Diaz wrote on GracieFighter.com. “I don't make enough money to have to drop this much weight, so I'd like to fight at 170 and only go to 55's every once in awhile.”
- "I fought like garbage," he continued, talking about his fight against Maynard, "and I'm sorry to my fans for my performance. I was hesitant about throwing hard punches because I kept thinking he was going to go for a takedown. It looked like I was knocked down in the second, but actually he stepped on my foot and when I tried to back out I slipped."
Move to Welterweight
Right after the loss, Diaz made an announcement that he was considering moving up to Welterweight, as the money was not worth the pain of the weight cut. It was not long after the announcement that it was learned on January 18, 2010 that Diaz would make his Welterweight debut at UFC 111: St. Pierre vs. Hardy. No opponent was named at the time of the announcement, though it was rumored that Rory Markham was the front runner as his first opponent.
Diego Sanchez, another Lightweight returning to the Welterweight division, showed interest in "welcoming" Diaz to the division. Though nothing remotely official was ever announced, Diaz could have been intrigued by the match-up due to its competitive nature and the fact Sanchez defeated his older brother, Strikeforce’s Nick Diaz, at a UFC event in 2005.
His debut at Welterweight in the end was announced to be against Rory Markham on March 27, 2010 at UFC 111: St. Pierre vs. Hardy. The bout was featured live and free on SpikeTV, rather than on the PPV. Markham failed to make weight, coming in at 177 lbs, and was fined $1000, so the bout was actually contested at a Catchweight of 177 lbs, even though Diaz weighed in at the accepted 171 lbs limit. Avoiding Markham's powerful punches and flashy high kicks, Diaz answered with the flurries of shots that have become the hallmark of both fighting Diaz brothers. Markham began to wilt under the pressure, and a knee in the clinch saw the fighter fall to the floor. Diaz pounced on his fallen foe and moved swiftly to the back. With one hook in, Diaz began looking to soften up his opponent for the finish. Markham defended the choke well, but Diaz simply elected to finish the fight with his hands. The strikes flowed freely, and the fight was halted with Markham simply turtling under the attack. The end came at the 2:47 mark of the first round.
In July of 2010 it was announced that Diaz had signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC.
It was learned mid-May 2010 that Diaz would return to action at UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2 in Boston, Massachusetts, where he would face off against the "Irish Hand Grenade" Marcus Davis, in Diaz's first official fight at Welterweight. Davis was cut early above the right eye with a slicing left hook and spent three rounds trying to fight a game Diaz with his one good eye. Davis continually wiped away blood as Diaz used a traditional game plan with a steady stream of strikes. "The Irish Hand Grenade" kept things even through two rounds. By the third round, with his eye blown up from a hematoma and bleeding profusely, Davis probably couldn't even see Diaz's final takedown. Davis tried to escape once on the mat, but Diaz quickly slapped on a tight Guillotine Choke. Referee Yves Lavigne halted the bout at the 4:02 mark of the final frame with Davis clearly out cold. The fight went on to win the Fight of the Night Honors, and with the win, Diaz improves his record to 2-0 since moving up a weight class.
Strikeforce: Nashville Post-fight Brawl
Diaz was one of the members of the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu team who participated in a post-fight brawl live on CBS after Jake Shields defeated Dan Henderson. Jason Miller somehow gained access to the cage and interrupted Shields, asking "Where's my rematch, buddy?", into the microphone referring to a previous fight between the two at Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers in 2009. Gilbert Melendez would then shove Miller before Shields. Nick Diaz would then throw the first punch that would start the whole brawl. Members of the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu camp, including Diaz, his brother Nick Diaz and Gilbert Melendez attacked Miller, while Miller was restrained on the canvas by members of Diaz's camp he would then begin to kick Miller. The fight was then broken up by referees, members of Dan Henderson's corner and members of security.
As of yet, there has been no punishment for Diaz's actions.
Ranks and Titles
- Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie
- The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner
