4 Times Nate Diaz beat insurmountable odds in thrilling fashion before Khamzat Chimaev
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Diaz has beaten the odds many times in his career, it's to be seen if he has one final spark of magic left for the fans
Nate Diaz is without a doubt one of the biggest stars of the UFC in the promotion’s history. More than a fighter, he’s become a household name synonymous with violence and weed. Even in loss, the Diaz stock only goes up as one thing you are guaranteed with a Diaz fight, is entertainment.
While his never say die attitude and impeccable honesty on the mic already got him a cult following, his performance when the cage closes is an equally important factor in his massive popularity. Add this to the fact that hardly any Diaz bouts ended without either a finish or a bloodied octagon and fans would ride wherever he went Diaz also had to live up to his brother’s name and he sure did, beating the odds a considerable amount of times.
Hence it is not surprising to find some hardcore Diaz fans still hopeful of a Stockton victory despite his seemingly insurmountable odds against Khamzat Chimaev. So here are 4 times Nate was able to beat the favourite in thrilling fashion.
Related: BREAKING: Nate Diaz vs Khamzat Chimaev in works for UFC 279 as Diaz’s final UFC bout
Nate Diaz vs Donald Cerrone
Cerrone might be a journeyman for newer fans but when he faced off against Diaz, he was riding high on a five-fight win streak, including a victory over current lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira. So confident was Donald in his abilities that during the ref’s final instructions, Cerrone flipped the patented Diaz middle finger right before heading into his corner.
Cerrone was a -400 favourite in this fight but that didn’t help him once the cage doors closed. The first round saw some back-and-forth action but starting round 2, Diaz’s pressure was starting to wane on Cerrone. Before round 3 Diaz returned the favour by flipping the bird to Cerrone, who was exhausted and humiliated with no answers. Diaz would win the fight via a Unanimous Decision.
Event: UFC 141
Nate Diaz vs Jim Miller
Right after his fight against Donald Cerrone, Nate was paired up against another Veteran in Jim Miller. Miller was 8-1 in his last 9 before he faced Diaz. His only loss came at the hands of future LW Champion Benson Henderson. Miller was the favourite walking into the fight with the odds being -260 in his favour.
No problem at all. The first round saw Miller trying to neutralize Diaz’s reach advantage by working in the clinch, however, Diaz would respond with his pressure boxing that would ultimately put Miller against the cage. Outlanding Miller by 89-36 in significant strikes, Diaz walked through Miller’s best offerings in round 2 and managed to secure a guillotine choke over the vet. He became the first man to finish Jim Miller that night
EVENT: UFC ON FOX: Diaz vs Miller
Related: Jake Paul rallies behind Nate Diaz to outperform ‘fake Khabib’ Khamzat Chimaev
Nate Diaz vs Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson during this period was a force to be reckoned with. Though he was coming off a loss, he was 4-1 in his last 5 with notable victories over Edson Barboza and Joe Lauzon. Add this to the fact that it was Nate’s first fight in over a year, so many factored in ring rust.
Johson who walked in as a -305 favourite beat down by Diaz from the starting buzzer to the final one. Diaz was surprisingly uncut here and even displayed how crips his boxing had become since the last time he stepped in the cage. It was also after this fight that Nate made the iconic Conor McGregor call-out.
EVENT: UFC ON FOX: Dos Anjos vs Cerrone 2
Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor
And finally, the upset of all upsets. When Diaz confidently took a short notice, 2-week camp to challenge Conor McGregor at Welterweight, very few had an idea about how well placed that confidence was. Despite the size difference, Conor was at his peak having won 7 straight at featherweight, becoming champion and jumping the line in a different weight class to challenge for the LW belt.
One of the few opponents that 2013-16 Conor McGregor couldn’t get inside the head of, Diaz acted as if he knew something we didn’t in the entire lead-up to the fight. Come fight night, Diaz would get beat and bloody by McGregor’s precise strikes in the opening round. The first half of the second round started more or less the same until Diaz sensed fatigue in McGregor for the briefest moment and was able to capitalize on it. Walking him down with strikes, Nate would force a shaken McGregor to shoot for a takedown, falling victim to Nate’s GnP and ultimately giving up his back leading to a Diaz RNC victory, beating the -475 favourite.
The greatest moment in Nate’s career was topped off with the iconic, “I’m not surprised Motherf**kers” zinger that will live in MMA pop culture history.
EVENT: UFC 196
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Jerin Mathew
(713 Articles Published)