In the post-fight interview, Joe Rogan called this the best Nate Diaz we've seen yet in the UFC. And he was right to do so. Diaz looked extremely impressive throughout the fight, using excellent boxing to hurt Gomi early. Towards the end of the round, the fight went to the floor and Diaz chained together submissions before finally securing the armbar tapout for the win. Post-fight, Diaz gave a shout-out to his brother Nick Diaz, who he called the best fighter in the world. Nick faced Gomi in a fantastic Pride fight in 2006 that Nick won via gogoplata, only to have the fight ruled a No Contest when he later tested positive for marijuana.
What was the high spot of this fight?
That chain of submission attempts at the end was a beautiful thing, with Nate transitioning from the triangle to armbar to get the win. The Diaz brothers don't always use their Cesar Gracie black belt jiu jitsu as much as you might expect, but in moments like these, you are reminded how dangerous they are on the ground.
Where do these guys go from here?
I have to say, I did not expect Diaz's return to 155 to go so smoothly. But he looked great, and he's ready for a real challenge next. I'd love to see him against Edson Barboza, who is coming off a win over Ross Pearson at UFC 134.
For Gomi, with a 1-3 UFC record, I fear this may be the end of the line in his US run. He's a legend of the Lightweight division, and was at one time the best 155 pound fighter in the world, but his UFC run just came too late. He'll probably be kept around for one last UFC fight on next year's Japan show, but after that I think it may be permanently back to Japan for The Fireball Kid, where organizations like Dream will be a fine fit.
Watch it now, later, or never?
Now. A very impressive performance by Diaz, a highlight reel ending, and possibly the last US fight of Takanori Gomi - all things worth a look.
More BE coverage of UFC 135 in the full entry.
UFC 135 Results: Time to Embrace Underutilized Lighter Weight Classes - Brent Brookhouse
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/9/2...-embrace-underutilized-lighter-weight-classes
UFC 135 Results: Will Rashad Evans Spoil the Jon Jones Era? - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 135 Results: Dana White Expects Matt Hughes to Retire - Mike Fagan
UFC 135 Results: Two Heavyweight Fights On PPV A Big Mistake - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 135 Results: Jon Jones Says Rashad Evans Doesn't Have His Number - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 135 Results: Jon Jones vs. Anderson Silva Isn't Happening - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 135 Results: Jon Jones vs. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson Post-Fight Recap and Analysis - Mike Fagan
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage Results - Event Doesn't Provide Enough Bang for the Buck - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 135 Results: Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson Fight Video Highlights - Anton Tabuena
UFC 135 Results: Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck Fight Video Highlights - Anton Tabuena
UFC 135 Post-Fight Press Conference Coverage - Tim Burke
UFC 135 Results: Jon Jones Limping Backstage After Dominating Rampage Jackson - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 135 Results: Jon Jones Forces Rampage Jackson to Tap Out - Matthew Roth
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage - Live Results and Play-By-Play for Main Card - Bloody Elbow
UFC 135 Results: Josh Koscheck Knocks Out Matt Hughes, Doesn't Retire Him - Matthew Roth
UFC 135 Results: Mark Hunt Picks Up A Decision In A Grueling Fight - Matthew Roth
UFC 135 Results: Travis Browne Defeats Rob Broughton by Unanimous Decision - Matthew Roth
UFC 135 Results: Nate Diaz Forces Takanori Gomi to Tap By Armbar - Matthew Roth
UFC 135 Results: Tony Ferguson Breaks Aaron Riley's Jaw In The First - Matthew Roth
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage - Live Results and Play-By-Play for Spike TV Prelims - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 135 Results: Tim Boetsch Gives Nick Ring His First Career Loss - Matthew Roth
UFC 135 Results: Junior Assuncao Fails to Impress with Win Over Eddie Yagin - Matthew Roth
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage - Live Results and Play-By-Play for Facebook Prelims - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 135 Results: Takeya Mizugaki Ends Cole Escovedo With A Knockout - Matthew Roth
UFC 135 Results: James Te Huna Ends Ricardo Romero's Night By KO - Matthew Roth