Nate Diaz looks Sharp in Lightweight Return against Gomi

Mean mug and never back down attitude in hand, Nate Diaz proved to fans and Zuffa why to never count him out when it seems the odds would be against him. Going into his fight with Takanori Gomi at UFC 135, he was on a two fight losing streak and possibly looking to exit stage right given another loss. Turning the tables and looking like the winner of the Ultimate Fighter season five, he submitted “The Fireball Kid” within the opening frame with an armbar.

Before setting up the armbar (which was switched from an original triangle) Diaz established the range and landed punches on the PRIDE star and dictated the pace of the fight. Winning over an opponent of this caliber and recognition shows not only his proper weight class is lightweight but perhaps he is focused to begin another run in the division he enjoyed early in his career (5-0 after TUF 5, before split decision loss to Clay Guida.)

From here, the future is bright for the “Kid fromStockton” but not easy in any sense given the landscape at 155lbs. In a class that is stacked with supreme wrestling talent in the top tier (Edgar, Maynard,Henderson, Guida) some of these men have already met and defeated Diaz, where others may be able to hold him down for fifteen minutes, nullifying any striking or jiu jitsu plans he could implement.

The next opponent could be either Evan Dunham or Sam Stout for the Cesar Gracie fighter. These men both offer the ability to stand and trade with Diaz and where the fight could go to the ground, Dunham has the BJJ background that could at least make the fight entertaining, where Stout and Diaz could turn into a boxing match for pure fan fun. Whichever Joe Silva decides, things are looking good for Nate and fans look forward to seeing him in the octagon soon in search of the UFC lightweight title.

Tags: Lightweight, MMA, Nate Diaz, Recap, Takanori Gomi, UFC, UFC 135

Category: MMA, UFC