Brothers Nick and Nate Diaz were in Toronto, Canada, this past weekend, holding three seminars in three days along with hosting the UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” viewing party down at the Diesel Playhouse.
To say it was a busy weekend for Nick and Nate is an understatement; however, they were gracious and generous with their time for fans and for the media alike.
Staredown Fight Wear — the company responsible for bringing the Diaz brothers up — once again did a spectacular job all weekend long. It is through promotions like this that allow young up-and-coming fighters to have some intense one-on-one training with two of Cesar Gracie’s top students.
With the explosion of MMA across Canada we are only going to see more seminars and promotions like this from companies like my friends over at Staredown.
As much as some fans paint the Diaz brothers as being “angry at the world” they can’t deny the fact that these guys are the real deal when it comes to sport. Both have proven their abilities in the past and will continue to demonstrate their skills in the future.
During their stay up here it became clear that both of them were anything but ‘angry at the world’ and they are laid back and like to have a good time. Nate found it especially amusing to make snowballs and pummel Nick with them every chance he had – apparently it’s tough to come up with a snowball in California.
There have been numerous fighters up here for meet and greets and seminars in the past and this was the first time where I’ve witnessed the fighters just hanging out at the bar and in the lobby drinking some Guinness and chatting with the fans.
I had the opportunity to catch up with Nick and Nate over breakfast on the Sunday morning after UFC 82.
Here’s our discussion:
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Thanks for taking the time to sit down and chat with us. We know you guys have had a hectic weekend so far so we appreciate this. What do you guys think of the weather up here in Toronto?
Nick Diaz: It’s cold man, but it’s nicer out here today.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Yeah it is a nice day. You guys are up here doing three seminars in three days and hosting the UFC 82 viewing party at the Diesel Playhouse. Who’s responsible for bringing you up here this weekend?
Nick Diaz: Derek from Staredown Fight Wear. He’s a good guy, absolutely, he hooked it up here.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Alright Nate, let’s start off with you. You’re coming off a big submission victory over Alvin Robinson and a lot of the talk after that fight was how slick your Brazilian jui-jitsu was. I mean you were throwing submission attempts from all different angles until you caught him. Was this the outcome you were looking for in that fight – did you see the fight finishing on the ground?
Nate Diaz: No, I just go in there and I fight. Wherever the fight goes. We’re training and we’re running drills with a lot of hard training in different positions, so that’s just kind of how the fight went.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Alright, now your next opponent is Kurt Pellegrino who you’re fighting April 2. He last fought and looked tough in his win on the same card as you back in January. After your fight that night you called Kurt out among a slew of other lightweights. Is this a fight that you’ve wanted for a long time or were you just tossing names out there?
Nate Diaz: I was just tossing names out. Anyone who came to mind at the time that was in the top of the division in the UFC.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Now you and “Batman” share a lot of the same strengths in that you both have a solid ground game. Is it inevitable that the fight is going to the ground or are we going to see some surprises from you?
Nate Diaz: Most likely it will probably go to the ground because we’re both ground guys, but I don’t know yet.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Nick, how proud are you of your younger brother at this point of his career?
Nick Diaz: Well, he’s been doing a good job. He gets up and does his job. It’s good to see him doing well.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Now going back a ways, when you fought Diego Sanchez you guys were talking back and forth and you relayed to Diego that you didn’t feel he belonged in the UFC because he came through the The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) series. Now looking back with your brother winning TUF 5, were you nervous or hesitant for him to get involved with the show?
Nick Diaz: No, I knew he was more experienced than anyone on that show, you know you learn from it. Diego went on the show and got himself a contract, you know the easy way in, and that’s what I was talking about when I was saying that with Diego. So we put Nate on the show and sure enough it turned out to be a good idea.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Definitely a good idea – he’s done well for sure. Now you’re coming off a really tough loss to KJ Noons because of a doctor’s stoppage when you competed for the 160-pound EliteXC title. There was talk of an immediate …
Nick Diaz: First off, I don’t see it as a tough loss, you know? I don’t feel like I lost that fight. The doctor stopped the fight, the ref didn’t stop the fight, maybe if the ref had stopped it that would be one thing, but the doctor stopped it. It’s ridiculous.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Alright, now there were rumblings of an immediate rematch, but …
Nick Diaz: No there was a rematch. I was supposed to fight him, that’s what I’ve been training for recently here. I got a call saying that he didn’t take the rematch; he didn’t want to fight me, whatever. I said right on man, scared mother fucker. But that’s cool.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): So the rumor was that a guy by the name of Muhsin Corbbrey has signed a bout agreement to fight you in April.
Nick Diaz: No, they turned that down, too. They didn’t think it was a good idea for him right now. I guess he’s not experienced enough to take this fight right now, so they’re not going to go for it. So I don’t have a set opponent, I’m supposed to fight on the March 29 card. I don’t know how it’s going to pan out yet. We’ll see if they can find me an opponent. It’s rough too you know because I figure you have to pay somebody good money to fight me otherwise you got to find someone that’s somewhat of a chump, but then they got to be able to be sanctioned by the commission so they have to have some experience, but then if they have little experience I’m not an easy or a smart fight for them to take. It’s going to be on short notice so it’s interesting to see how it’s going to work out.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Now with EliteXC signing a new deal with CBS, which is big news in the world of MMA, this deal is obviously going to bring a lot exposure to the organization and to the sport in itself. Is EliteXC your home for awhile or what should we expect from you in the future?
Nick Diaz: Yeah, I don’t believe my contract is exclusive but I’m pretty happy about the news with the CBS deal. It sounds good and they treat me really good at EliteXC. I want to fight for the title and take the belt in my weight class. I like the organization just fine. Of course I’ll fight anywhere for anybody because money talks. I just go where they tell me to go and fight when they tell me to fight.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): I think the draw of the Diaz brothers for the fans is twofold. First off, you are both very passionate and often colorful and animated about fighting. But you are also both down to earth, regular guys – not flashy or anything. It seems like you’re both just built to fight – you just love getting in there and fighting. Where does this mindset come from?
Nick Diaz: I don’t know. I figure what you see is what you get you know? I’m not trying to put on a show for anybody. I got to do what I got to do. I fight so I just got to do my thing. I got too much else to worry about such as keeping all my teeth, staying healthy and being in shape and all. You run out of time for everything so it’s hard for me. You know I’m lucky if I can get a haircut in before some of these fights, I just don’t have time for that kind of stuff.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Ok quick question Nick, will we ever see a rematch with Takanori Gomi?
Nick Diaz: Umm, yeah you know why not? If that’s what he wants, if that’s what they want to do. Like I said money talks so I won that fight, so yeah why not, sure I’d fight anybody.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Nate, one more question for you as well. Without looking past a tough opponent in Pellegrino, where do you see yourself by the end of 2008 in the UFC’s lightweight division?
Nate Diaz: I don’t even know. I’m just taking it one step at a time so we’ll see where I end up.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Ok guys, thanks again for taking some time out of this crazy schedule to sit down and chat with us. We wish all the best to the both of you in the future. Cheers.
Nick and Nate Diaz: Thanks.
Sean McManus is the Director of Media Relations for MMACanada.net. For more information on the MMA scene up in Canada check out MMACanada.net.
Oh this? It’s just me hangin’ out at a 7/11 on the OSU campus in Columbus with my buddy, UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra. Pretty average Saturday night, really.
Alright, let me explain. You want the long version? Good.
The hierarchy of hatred in Columbus, Ohio, seems to go like this:
1) The University of Michigan, particularly its football team and its mascot, the wolverine.
2) New Yorkers.
3) All other non-Ohio residents.
As a U of Michigan grad who’s lived in New York for the last 5+ years, I could feel their eyes as soon as I stopped into Tommy’s Pizza to take a piss. It wasn’t paranoia; they knew. I got a sense of what it must feel like for a Crip to walk through a Blood neighborhood. That’s both an apt metaphor and a totally lazy one, as most people on the Ohio State campus — where I booked my hotel, mainly out of curiosity — were flying Blood-like colors yesterday. Literally everyone under the age of 25 and over the age of 50 was decked out in Ohio State sweatshirts, jackets, hats, whatever. It turns out that the Ohio State Wrestling Championships were that weekend — fitting, since former OSU wrestling champ Mark Coleman was going to be inducted in the UFC’s Hall of Fame that night — and the sporting types of Columbus were showing their support. So here I come into Tommy’s with my black pea-coat and reptilian loafers (already I was thinking afterparty), and my big Jew nose, reeking of Ann Arbor pheromones. Forks hits plates, a record scratched.
“I [Anderson Silva] still don’t consider myself the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Maybe when I retire, I can look back and then say I was the best pound-for-pound.”
UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” went off last night without a hitch at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, before a crowd of 16,431 fans who paid a collective $2.2 million at the gate.
It was one of the most loaded cards from top to bottom in recent memory and the fights — for the most part — did not disappoint.
UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva continued his brilliant dominance over the 185-pound division, submitting Pride FC 183-pound champion, Dan Henderson, via rear naked choke in round two.
Henderson appeared to have the right gameplan heading in to the bout, controlling Silva on the ground for most of the opening frame and peppering him with short punches and elbows while in the top position.
But it all went south when the horn for the second round went off. Silva connected with big knee in the clinch that dazed Henderson and a follow-up punch sent him crashing to the canvas.
Henderson survived for the better part of the stanza, but the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt took his back and sunk in the fight-ending choke hold with a handful of seconds remaining on the clock.
Part of me wished Henderson held on for the final eight seconds and the two continued to battle it out. But would it have made any difference?
“The Spider” proved (again) that he is just in another universe — he’s made such quick work of so many very talented fighters. And there’s just one man left to beat, Yushin Okami, before we can say that he single-handedly “cleaned out” the entire category.
Okami continued his winning ways with a knockout win over former middleweight champion, Evan Tanner. “Thunder” whipped out a very impressive clinch game and put Tanner to sleep with a crushing knee to the jaw.
Even before the fight ended, Okami was dictating the pace of the bout and landing hard, crisp straight left hand punches. One of which, in fact, dropped Tanner early in the fight.
It was a great performance without a doubt. But should Tanner have even been in that fight?
He’s got such a great story and he is adored by fans and fighters alike. It was difficult to see him thrown into the deep end against a top dog like Okami and get beat up after a two-year break from competition.
Hopefully, Tanner rebounds and can find his old form his next time out. Okami, on the other hand, could be the next opponent for Silva.
Good luck, buddy.
Top welterweight contender, Jon Fitch, was also in action last night against Chris Wilson. The Octagon newcomer — who trains with the prestigious Team Quest camp — looked solid in his debut performance.
Wilson — a southpaw — has an awkward approach that appeared to give Fitch fits. The former Purdue University wrestling captain seemed like he had no other choice but to take the fight to the ground … and that’s just what he did.
Fitch seemed to break Wilson a little bit in the second round and he continued to roll in the third. It was a solid but not great fight and it’ll be interesting to see if it was enough to earn Fitch a shot at the 170-pound crown next.
It’s hard to argue otherwise: He’s still undefeated in the Octagon, tying UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie for the most consecutive wins (eight) in the UFC.
That’s impressive.
So, too, was Wilson in such a big fight. Hopefully, he sticks around and gets paired up with someone like … Dustin Hazelett?
Just an idea.
The co-feature of the night was a heavyweight clash between Cheick Kongo and Heath Herring. This was a hard one for this writer to get up for, but both combatants turned in impressive performances and it was an entertaining fight.
Kongo — a kickboxer — appeared to develop a solid ground game virtually overnight, shooting for takedowns throughout the bout and scoring with them. It was a far cry from the man who got molested on the ground by Carmelo Marrero and could do nothing against Assuerio Silva.
It wasn’t enough, however, because the rejuvenated “Texas Crazy Horse” was able to switch positions and do some damage while in side control.
Putting Herring inside the Octagon against division champion, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, does not seem likely — he just lost to him (for the third time) at UFC 73: “Stacked” in July 2007.
That honor should go to Andrei Arlovski, who defeated Jake O’Brien last night via technical knockout in a weird fight. However, it was the last fight on his contract and he is now a free agent.
Hopefully, he returns … the division needs him.
The other fight on the televised main card was a middleweight slugfest between Chris Leben and Alessio Sakara. It didn’t hit the canvas once (to the best of my memory) and the two were like rock ‘em sock ‘em robots, with Leben finding Sakara’s button late in the first frame.
Sakara wasn’t pleased with the referee stepping in to rescue him, but “The Crippler” was teeing off on the unresponsive Italian the moment he was dropped with a looping left hook to the ear.
Leben is slowly creeping back in to the picture. And say what you want about him, but the guy puts on a hell of a show win or lose. He also knows how to pump up a fight.
Perhaps a rematch with Silva is in his future with a few more impressive performances.
Overall UFC 82 delivered the goods. All of the fighters who were favored to win (sans Herring and Luke Cummo) did just that.
Diego Sanchez and Josh Koscheck returned to their winning ways and could be on a collision course for a third and deciding match up later on down the road (provided “Kos” re-signs with the promotion).
Fitch possibly punched his ticket to a welterweight title shot and Okami perhaps did the same in the middleweight class.
In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if Arlovski does re-sign with the UFC that he, too, earned a crack at the heavyweight strap.
It was a meaningful night of fights with tons of implications going forward to say the least.
Now we just have to sit tight and wait for UFC Fight Night 13 on April 2 — the next scheduled event for the UFC.
That seems so far away, but well worth the wait.
For blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of the UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” main card fights and quick results click here.
(Arlovski climbs the cage after vanquishing the evil forces of Lay ‘n Pray. Photo courtesy of my Canon Powershot.)
Andre Arlovski def. Jake O’Brien via ground-and-pound TKO at 4:17 of round 2
It’s hard to describe how cathartic it was to see Andrei Arlovski triumph over the excrutiatingly dull, cheap-suit-like wrestling-tactics of Jake O’Brien. In the first round, O’Brien shot in for takedown attempt after takedown attempt, and Andrei sprawled on all of them. It didn’t matter that O’Brien’s success rate was nearly zero; he was going to stick with his one attack, come hell or high water, booing fans be damned, because if the match went three rounds, he’d probably pick up the decision. But in the second round, Arlovski was able to take O’Brien to the mat and started droppin’ fists. O’Brien had no answer, the fight was stopped, and O’Brien took his first much-needed loss. Arlovski’s back, baby — just in time to leave the UFC over contract squabbles.
Luigi Fiorvanti def. Luke Cummo via unanimous decision
Luigi threw the “Silent Assassin” all over the cage for three agonizing rounds. There really isn’t much to say about this one except that Cummo looked like shit. I don’t even mean his performance, I’m talking about his physical appearance. Living off a diet of bark and urine doesn’t seem to contribute to an impressive physique or healthy skin tone.
Josh Koscheck def. Dustin Hazelett via TKO (head kick, punches on ground) at 1:24 of round 2
This one was the best fight of the undercard, easy. Hazelett rocked Koscheck with a punch early, which freaked Kos out enough for him to start throwing wild haymakers. After the opening brawl, Kos shot in for a takedown, and Hazelett sunk in a guillatine choke that nearly ended the match. Kos shook out of it and found himself in a traingle choke instead. Luckily, the bell rang. Koscheck turned it on the second, catching Hazelett with a thunderous head kick that sent him (both of them, actually) to the mat. Kos went in for the kill with punches from the top and it was all over.
Diego Sanchez submits David Bielkheden via strikes at 4:43 of round 1
Sanchez shot in for a takedown right after the opening bell, and never gave Bielkheden a chance to breathe. He worked some strikes from the top position until he scored full mount and started jackhammer-punching him in the face. Bielkheden didn’t wait around for the ref to stop the action and tapped out from the abuse. For that, he earned CagePotato’s Bitch of the Night bonus ($5).
Jorge Gurgel def. John Halverson via unanimous decision
Gurgel had Halvorson on his back eating leather more than once, but couldn’t find a way to finish him. Still, the Ohio crowd cheered hard for their homeboy through the match and showed mad love after his hand was raised. “Ohio is my family,” he said. Awww!
In the main event, Anderson Silva defeated Dan Henderson to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship. Silva submitted Dan Henderson with a rear-naked choke in round 2. Anderson Silva controlled the stand-up game, but Henderson was able to take Silva to the ground in round 1 and possibly won that round, but had nothing going in round two on the ground.
Evan Tanner is not a contender for the 185lb championship. He didn’t look like he could find his range against Yushin Okami, and was ultimately knocked out with a knee. If he were fighting Anderson Silva, it would have happened much earlier in the fight.
Heath Herring looked good against Cheick Kongo, and wona split decision. It should’ve been a unanimous decision for Heath Herring.
Chris Leben KO’d Allesio Sakara in round one.
Jorge Gurgel won a decision over John Halverson
Diego Sanchez punched David Bielkheden into submission
Josh Koscheck and Dustin Hazelett fought a good fight, both got rocked throughout the slugfest, and Dustin Hazelett was TKO’d by Koscheck.
Props: 
