by Dr. Octagon, J.D.
This is the interim welterweight title fight. I can’t wait for this fight. Nate Diaz is a great boxer, what you would call a punching machine. He’s a triathlete and when his fights start, he pretty much just comes forward and throws punches nonstop. He swims back to California from Alcatraz for fun.
Taking Diaz to the ground is no help, as his BJJ is also top level. He also looked like he’s in the best shape of his life at the weigh ins. If this goes five rounds, Diaz has a huge stamina advantage. But Carlos Condit is really explosive, and he has some really impressive wins against tough opponents. Live updates after the jump:
Round 1-Carlos is throwing leg kicks. Nick comes in and takes a kick. It looks like Carlos’ plan is to keep Nick off him with kicks. Nick has him up against the fence and lands a shot. Nick throws a kick. Nick is following Carlos around the ring, the crowd is cheering for Condit. Condit lands another leg kick.
Diaz coming forward. Nick is beginning to taunt Carlos. Carlos throws a spinning elbow, but Nick ducks under it and lands a punch. Nick lands a nice bodyshot against the fence. Nick pops Carlos a few more times. Carlos is cut. Diaz is talking smack. He’s still following Condit around the ring.
That round was really close, but Condit won it via leg kicks. 10–9.
Round 2-Diaz has a great sense of range. He’s staying just outside the range of Carlos’ kicks and knees, then darting in and landing punches. Carlos throws a spinning backfist, but it doesn’t look like it landed well. Diaz is taunting Condit with his hands down and slaps him in the face.Condit is content to throw leg kicks.
Condit running away, still throwing leg kicks. Diaz tells Condit that he’s trying to fight. Condit is backing up the whole time. Diaz is landing now. Every time Diaz gets him against the fence he circles away, but Condit is fighting this whole fight going backward. Diaz gets Condit against the cage and lights up the body. Condit running away again. Diaz following Condit around the ring, still landing the better punches. Condit has a good strategy, but it isn’t fun to watch.
10–9 Diaz. Condit is running away and throwing leg kicks. This is terrible to watch. He’s not going to win the fight backing up.
Round 3-Diaz just landed a nice left to the face. Diaz is teeing off against the cage. He lands another two shots. The fighters exchange, Diaz lands the better shots. Diaz is chasing Carlos around the ring. This is awful. Announcer Joe Rogan is saying he likes Carlos’ game plan, but he’s really not pushing the action.
Carlos starts coming forward, but Nick comes in and lights him up. Carlos lands a flying knee. Carlos is getting hit, but he’s able to circle away when Diaz comes forward.
10–9 Diaz. Condit is just not moving forward. These rounds are close, but Condit is just retreating the whole fight. He’s not going to win, unless the judges are big fans of leg kicks while retreating.
Round 4-Diaz coming forward, Condit running away. Just a terrible fight to watch. Diaz pins Carlos against the fence and works for the takedown, but doesn’t get it. Condit lands a few shots on the break. Diaz continues to follow Condit around. Condit continues to throw leg kicks and retreat. Condit lands a nice kick combination, but it doesn’t look like it did a lot of damage. Condit kicks at Nick while he comes in. Nick lands a nice head kick.
Another boring round that Carlos probably won by throwing leg kicks. 10–9 Condit. Terrible fight to watch.
Round 5-Diaz still pushing the action. Condit still running away. Carlos throws another elbow that misses. Nick throws a bunch of kicks. Rogan and Goldberg think Diaz is behind, but I don’t know how you give a guy a loss for coming forward the whole time without getting hurt.
Condit lands a leg kick. Diaz lands a right. Condit lands a head kick. Diaz ties up Condit. Condit gets away. Condit just got popped twice, but answered with a knee. Nick lands another shot, Carlos circles away. Nick gets Carlos’ back and pulls him to the ground. Condit looks tired. Nick has the body triangle locked in with a minute to go. Nick sinks a choke, but it’s too high. Time is running out. Condit gets out as the round ends.
10–9 Diaz.
I have it scored 48–47 Diaz, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it went the other way. Really didn’t like the leg kicks or retreating by Condit. Boring and Greg Jackson-esque.
Judges have it 48–47, 49–46 and 49–46 Carlos Condit. Jeez. The crowd doesn’t like it.
That fight was awful. Nick Diaz thinks he won. I agree. You can’t win a championship through leg kicks and running away. Nick Diaz says he’s going to retire. I hope he changes his mind, because he looked great in that fight.
