Nick Diaz: Top Five Finishes In His MMA Career

by Alex Mattis

This Saturday night, that kid from Stockton will take center stage in the UFC. The crazy, jumbled mess that has been the UFC 137 card has drawn much attention; with all eyes being on Nick Diaz the entire time. The pressure to deliver is on Diaz but, as the past has shown, he handles the pressure just fine… homie.

In preparation for his war on Saturday night, Fight Hub TV looks back at the Top Five Finishes of Nick Diaz’s MMA career:

5. Vs. Josh Neer – UFC 62: Liddell Vs. Sobral – 8/26/2006
Highlight reels for years to come, this will not make. However, this fights serves as a proven ground for Nick Diaz. Until this point, Josh Neer was one of the toughest opponents the 209 native had faced. As a late replacement, Diaz faced the challenge and made the most of it. Snatching a kimura in the 3rd round, Diaz forced Neer to submit showing not only his well-rounded game but his propensity to always go for the finish.

4. Vs. Marius Zaromskis – Strikeforce: Miami – 1/30/2010
Coming into this fight Marius Zaromskis was *the* talk of the welterweight division. He was coming off of a breakout 2009, winning the DREAM welterweight GP, and riding a three-fight-headkick-KO winning streak. That’s all fine and good but it wasn’t enough to prepare him for the unadulterated realness that Nick Diaz brings to the cage.

The two faced off and insanity commenced. As the two exchanged, Marius dropped Diaz with a left-hook. In his baffling fashion, Diaz immediately recovered and shifted the tide. He used his reach and technically superior boxing to tee off. Literally seconds after being in control, Zaromskis was lost and could find no answer. The accumulation of shots to the dome (and body) became too much and Diaz closed the show with a right hand.

3. Vs. Paul Daley – Strikeforce: Diaz Vs. Daley – 4/9/2011
Those who believe there is a conspiracy covering up the fact that Nick Diaz is actually Wolverine had many of their theories confirmed in this fight. Honestly, how can anyone take Paul Daley’s Left Hook of DEATH and survive?! And immediately recover?!?! HOW?!?!

The most dangerous striker Strikeforce could pair against Diaz turned out to be just another victim. After (yet another) insane battle, Diaz put his opponent away when the supreme amassing of strikes became far too much.

2. Vs. Robbie Lawler – UFC 47: It’s On! – 4/2/2004
This was the night that Nick Diaz established his name. If Nick Diaz was going to beat Robbie Lawler he HAD to take the fight to the ground, right? As the fight ensued everyone thought Nick was playing with fire by standing in front of Lawler. And talking trash?! What was he thinking?!
Shortly into the 2nd round, Diaz turned out Robbie’s lights and showed the world he knew what he was doing.

Nick Diaz showed what he is capable of and what he is famous for today: Standing and trading, finishing fights, and talking some mad flimflam!

1. Vs. Takanori Gomi – PRIDE 33: The Second Coming – 2/24/2007
Nick Diaz and Takanori Gomi waged one of the craziest wars in MMA history and produced one of the greatest fights ever captured on video.

After getting tagged and dropped, Diaz summoned his inexplicable recuperative power and dragged Gomi into the deepest of waters. The two swung wildly, both with intentions of a knockout. Heading into the 2nd round it was clear Gomi’s will had been drained. A bloodied Diaz continued to press the action and forced the PRIDE champion to shoot for a take down. Diaz countered the take down attempted and locked on MMA’s white whale: The Gogoplata. Gomi tapped. The MMA universe let out a collective gasp. Frank Trigg and Josh Barnett lost their minds. Several gambling junkies in Stockton with serious debts were able to live confidently once again. It was a dramatic finish.

Unfortunately for Nick, this win no longer exists. Post-fight drug tests showed that Diaz was flying higher than Rob Van Dam during this fight and the Nevada State Athletic Commission overturned the ruling and deemed the bout a “No Contest.” Controversy and rulings aside, Nick Diaz has had no greater, career-defining, finish than this.

Depending on who you ask, Diaz may add to this list come Saturday night.