Nick “The Killer” Diaz
WINNER OF WELTERWEIGHT FIGHT TO FACE GEORGES ST. PIERRE
San Francisco, CA– Anytime Nick Diaz is in the room, you know the old saying, “Shit Happens.” The same adage applies when Diaz, the #1 ranked UFC welterweight (170 lbs) steps in the UFC cage of battle known as the Octagon. To be both blunt and truthful, the bad boy from Stockton, CA is so intimidating that he scares the word I used above out of you. Having watched the triathlete fight a number of times, I have to tell you that Nick is never in a dull fight.
NICK DIAZ IS ONE SCARY BUT SKILLED GUY!
Does that mean his main event in UFC 143 tonight against Carlos Condit is a fight for the ages? Yes, for Diaz, now 26-7 and on a 12 fight winning streak is a combination of a young George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Arturo Gatti and Muhammad Ali. What do I mean by that? Diaz is powerful, fierce, gutsy, unforgiven, feared and highly skilled.
CONDIT NO SLOUCH & THE PICK OF SOME
The man standing across the cage tonight will be Carlos Condit (27-5) is a formidable foe, so talented that Sam “All Jam” Perez, AKA “Slammin’ Sammy” Perez is leaning towards Condit to win this battle for the interim title held by Georges St. Pierre, who is sidelined with an injury. Until he loses, I’ll never pick anyone to beat Diaz, as he is the roughest, meanest MO FO in the world of the UFC and Mixed Martial Arts.
DIAZ ALMOST BOXED EX-CHAMP JEFF LACY
When veteran (Hall of Fame) promoter Don Chargin signed Diaz to fight former IBF 168 lb. boxing champion Jeff Lacy last year, UFC czar Dana White blew a fuse. But because Diaz had been a Strikeforce fighter with a clause that allowed him to “box professionally,” White had to throw some money in Diaz’s direction and promise him a fight with St. Pierre, one of the most popular fighters in the history of MMA.
IF DIAZ-CONDIT GOES ROUTE IT’LL BE A BLOOD BATH!
Although I predict Diaz will beat Condit into submission, if it were to go the five five-minute rounds, it will be the most horrific half hour of Condit’s life. Anything can happen in MMA fights, but to go against Diaz here is not a wise move. Although he has been called erratic by some, I expect Condit to be calling Nick Diaz, “Daddy” when it is all said and done. Some say Diaz does not handle the spotlight well, tonight that supposition will be answered.
SEMI MAIN A HEAVYWEIGHT AFFAIR
Last time the UFC universe saw Brazil’s Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) he laid down vs. #1 heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem. Tonight he faces former fatman Roy Nelson (16-6) in a fight that has a submission ending to it. Werdum was once highly touted. Nelson on the other hand had the distinction of being regarded as nothing more than a fat guy. Having lost fights because he was fat and not in prime condition, the man that defeated Kimbo Slice with ease has finally got his act together. That being said, “Big Country” Nelson should be able to outwork the Brazilian on the mat as the American’s Jui Jitsu skills I feel are superior to Verdum.
TMZ TV SHOW FAVORITE KOSHCHECK FAVORED OVER PIERCE
Once in a while I watch TMZ, you know the TV show that I beat to the punch when it came to publishing Oscar De La Hoya in transvestite garb. One night, Josh Koscheck (16-5) was featured in a segment as he was leaving a Los Angeles, CA nightclub. His demeanor was like that of the coolest cat on the planet. Although he did get outclassed by St. Pierre, I don’t think his foe this evening Mike Pierce (13-4) is prepared for Josh’s intensity and versatility. Koshcheck looks to be a class better than the rugged Pierce.
UFC PRELIMS ARE ON FX TONIGHT
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier, Alex Caceres vs. Edwin Figueroa, Jorge Lopez vs. Matt Riddle, Rafael Natal vs Michael Kuiper & Dustin Edwards vs. Mike Stumpf. Check your TV listings for FX prelims.
Pedro Fernandez