Robbie Lawler put an end to Nick Diaz’s return to the Octagon with an early third-round knockout, but before going out Diaz showed what he’s capable of as he landed a total of 150 strikes in the opening two rounds.
Nick Diaz’s return to the sport became the lead story on an already loaded PPV with two title fights and it was clear on just how far the 38-year-old was from his fighting prime in his return to UFC since a NC against Anderson Silva back in 2015.
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At UFC 266, Nick Diaz received a hero’s welcome but just after two rounds, he left once more on his own terms. The rematch which took seventeen years in the making was set on an insane pace since the opening horn with Nick Diaz going for a spinning wheel kick which was checked by Lawler. But the five-round middleweight bout came to an abrupt end in round 3 when a right hook from Robbie busted the nose of Nick Diaz, and Stockton’s own decided to stay down on the canvas and take no more. Lawler had the opportunity to follow Diaz onto the canvas and finish him with some ground and pound punches but he chose not to and was awarded a TKO victory after just 44 seconds of round three to avenge the knockout loss against Diaz back in 2004. At the age of 38 and 39, both the fighters got the crowd going as the two stood and traded some heavy blows for most of the fight.
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After the fight, there was nothing but respect between the two legends.
In the post-fight interview, Diaz said, “ I’m glad I at least put on a show. I knew I had it coming from ol’ Rob and I had a lot of stress coming into the show. I have no excuses. I had a lot of time off and I knew I had it coming. I don’t know how this fight got set up. The way the fight got set up, it was just a bum wrap. But no excuses.”
To which Robbie responded by saying, “ I have always had respect for Diaz. He brings it every freaking time he steps in the ring. He is a hell of a fighter and he put on a show. One thing about this camp is that he really got me going and pushed myself to get out there and work because of him”
What’s next for Nick Diaz?
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Despite the way Nick Diaz lost the fight, he received no shortage of goodwill from his adoring fans who were just happy to see the legend back in the cage after such a long time. But that doesn’t mean that he belongs there. In the interviews before and after the fight, Diaz clearly indicated that he had no idea how the match was set up and also mentioned that “he doesn’t know what he’s fighting for” but it was when Diaz willingly took a knee and pulled guard after getting hit by Lawler before deciding to stop the fight as blood flowed from his nose which made it more clear that this should be the end.
[Image Credit: Nick Diaz]
Shashank Iyer