Nate Diaz (16-7) successfully overcame a focused Jim Miller (21-4) to progress closer to the UFC lightweight title, with a dominating performance on Sunday morning.
Diaz forced Miller to tap out at 4:09 in the second round via guillotine choke in the match held in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
With this performance, Diaz becomes the first person to finish the New Jersey native in 25 fights. The match was won in typical Diaz fashion, with Diaz taunting Miller in the second round in order to encourage him to play his game.
From the beginning Diaz looked dangerous with combinations being thrown. He gained more momentum as the fight progressed, wearing down Miller who was attempting to close the distance through the use of kicks and knees.
It was a takedown attempt that proved to be trouble for Miller, with Diaz catching the neck with one arm and executing a guillotine that proved nastier given that Miller’s tongue was caught out and subsequently being bit down on.
After the fight Nate was gracious to his competitor, saying “I know he’s a great fighter and I have nothing against him” and that his pre-fight behaviour was down to preparation for the fight. This is common with the Diaz brothers.
Now with this impressive win under his belt, talk was directed as to whether Diaz would receive the title shot as intended.
UFC President Dana White put this talk to bed mentioning at the post-fight press conference that he could fight Anthony Pettis (15-2) or wait for the title shot, then quickly adding that “he will wait for the title shot”.
It would be in Diaz’s best interest to wait for the shot, if he takes the Pettis fight and gets a loss, than the journey will have to start again.
A wait for the shot will mean a longer period of time out of the cage, however given that Diaz has fought three times in nine months, a break could be what is needed to focus on the title.
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