In a scintillating performance reminding fans why he is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet, Nick Diaz survived a Muay Thai onslaught from Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos to nail a textbook armbar from guard and retain his Strikeforce welterweight title.
Diaz was, perhaps uncharacteristically, complimentary towards "Cyborg" in the lead-ups to the fight, stating that he liked Santos's fighting style because he was willing to go to war. The words could not have been more prophetic. Santos emerged in round one firing off massive inside leg kicks to Diaz's lead leg that looked to be taking their toll on the poker-faced champion. Diaz had trouble finding Santos through the first two minutes, as Santos continued to batter Diaz's legs. Diaz battled back, however, finding a home for his lead right jab and sprinkling in the occasional left cross. The tide began to turn, and late in the round a picture-perfect shot to the chin put Santos in deep trouble against the cage as Diaz dug in with flurrying strikes to the body. The change of momentum threw the partisan San Jose crowd into a frenzy as the round ended.
The second round picked up right where the first led off, with both fighters exchanging artillery on the feet. Santos continued to mix inside and outside leg kicks with heavy power shots, while Diaz in trademark style peppered Santos with stinging jabs and left hooks. Round two looked to be heading to a close when in the final minute Santos shot the first takedown of the bout, driving Diaz into the center of the canvas and into Diaz's guard. The move, at first appearing to secure Santos a closely contested round, proved disastrous. Diaz quickly shifted his hips into an armbar formation, and as Santos attempted to roll out of the hold, Diaz deftly hooked Santos's leg and rolled with him into a spider-web position. Diaz quickly finished the armbar, and with only 10 seconds remaining in the round, a classic battle was suddenly and dramatically brought to a halt.
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| Nick Diaz arm bar |
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