UFC 143: Diaz V Condit Official Thread Discussion

PerrinV2

Didn't see a thread for this but only wanted to say that the primetime is up for it.
Better add the card

Main card

• Interim Welterweight Championship bout: Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit[1]
• Heavyweight bout: Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum[1]
• Welterweight bout: Josh Koscheck vs. Mike Pierce[1]
• Bantamweight bout: Renan Barão vs. Scott Jorgensen[1]
• Middleweight bout: Ed Herman vs. Clifford Starks[1]

Preliminary card

• Featherweight bout: Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway[1]
• Welterweight bout: Matthew Riddle vs. Jorge Lopez[1]
• Bantamweight bout: Alex Caceres vs. Edwin Figueroa[1]
• Welterweight bout: Matt Brown vs. Chris Cope[1]
• Welterweight bout: Dan Stittgen vs. Stephen Thompson[1]
• Middleweight bout: Rafael Natal vs. Michael Kuiper[1]

MrStuffins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWbq_2cgxJw

horsemeat

Thought i'd open this up lads seeing as the primetime show is up.

Jesus Diaz is seriously mentally unstable, that last five minute scene was one of the strangest things i've ever seen in my life. Embedded below.
Very strange the entire show was like 15 mins of boring condit junk filler, and then a poignant five minute scene where Diaz talks and honestly I don't know what to say about it.

Diaz is my favourite fighter though, I think he takes this fight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_fhcwG0uHg

mannequinhands

yea im going for Diaz aswell

1. He is an interesting fighter who does bring the fight and has showed some great skills

2. Well i think we all wanna see Diaz vs GSP that should be a good one

Fear Uladh

I'm becoming a big fan of Diaz, he is absolutely mental but I love his fighting style.

UUJ_Lad

I want Diaz to face GSP, purely for the fact that GSP will for the first time in a long time have to face someone that honestly has the tools to beat him.

Absolutely no way will he stand with Diaz.

But Carlos Condit is no joke, he's a hell of a fighter but ever since the Paul Daley fight in SF Diaz has just looked a different level.

MrStuffins

UUJ_Lad wrote: »

I want Diaz to face GSP, purely for the fact that GSP will for the first time in a long time have to face someone that honestly has the tools to beat him.

IMO Jake Shields was the guy who had the tools to beat GSP. But for some reason he didn't show up that night, which was a shame.

GSP v Diaz will be an amazing fight though. Hoping Condit doesn't ruin that because I can't see Condit getting near beating GSP.

UUJ_Lad

Shields looked lost against GSP, which I found very surprising. Although GSP looked good on the feet against Kos, and it was 'just' Kos he'll be back to the lay and pray against Diaz, he'll be looking to keep that side mount and basically do whatever he can do stop Diaz from moving or attempting to work his submission game.

The fact that Diaz can. in theory, win this fight standing, or on his back means that GSP will be challenged for the first time in a long time, in my opinion.

dave1982

Diaz better keep the showboating to a minimum standing in front of Condit.

weemcd

dave1982 wrote: »

Diaz better keep the showboating to a minimum standing in front of Condit.

Couldn't agree more, Condit is a much more live opponent than Daley or Penn (these days, at WW.) Diaz takes far to many punches for my liking, of course I know he has a great chin, but he was floored a few times when he fought Daley and I rate Condit as a much more dangerous and varied opponent.

Carlos could take an upset here, and I would not be remotely surprised

tower08

Looking forward to this fight, love watching any of the Diaz brothers!

If Diaz drops his hands as much as he usually does u cud see condit dropping him with one of those flying knees , hope he's doesn't tho, everyone wants to see Gsp v Diaz

And even though condit has a good chance of causing an upset and beating Diaz I think gsp would have a way easier time shutting own condits style

jayteecork

Has that documentary about Diaz been aired?

O.P.H

horsemeat wrote: »

Thought i'd open this up lads seeing as the primetime show is up.

Jesus Diaz is seriously mentally unstable, that last five minute scene was one of the strangest things i've ever seen in my life. Embedded below.
Very strange the entire show was like 15 mins of boring condit junk filler, and then a poignant five minute scene where Diaz talks and honestly I don't know what to say about it.

Diaz is my favourite fighter though, I think he takes this fight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_fhcwG0uHg

It was 10 min of Carlos Condit and how is it filler junk but the Diaz part is poignant. I actually enjoyed the Condit part cause didnt know much about him, the Diaz part is probly just like that cause its all he let them film. Far more respect for Condit than Diaz. Condit is a grown man who takes care of his responsibilities, Diaz is a whinny b!tch and acts like a knacher like his brother. Should be a hell of a fight but I'm backin Condit, think Diaz will let his temper get the better of him and Condit will lay him out.

JJayoo

Think Diaz is all hype. He was well beaten in the standup until BJ gassed, and he would/should have been finished by Daley when he got rocked. I bet everyone agrees :pac:

Incarnadine86

JJayoo wrote: »

Think Diaz is all hype. He was well beaten in the standup until BJ gassed, and he would/should have been finished by Daley when he got rocked. I bet everyone agrees :pac:

Its not that people won't agree to some extent as the UFC have habit of hyping up every main event to sell PPV's its just that you told us how you used how Diaz beat those tow fighters as examples. Better cardio and a strong chin. I think Condit has a chance once he keeps his head and doesn't get sucked into playing Diaz's game.

jayteecork

JJayoo wrote: »

Think Diaz is all hype. He was well beaten in the standup until BJ gassed, and he would/should have been finished by Daley when he got rocked. I bet everyone agrees :pac:

I thought KJ Noons won that fight too.

Ush1

I think a healthy GSP wrassles either guy easily to UD. Hard to judge Condit Dia but I think if Diaz can set his tempo high as usual he can beat Condit.

karl bracken

I think Condit has all the tools to beat Diaz, he matches him in every area except BJJ but his Jitz is good enough to defend and get back up.
I think his power will be the deciding factor and take a decision after hurting him a few times...
Either way it will be a great fight!

stealinhorses

After seeing the second episode of Primetime, the only thing I can't wait for is GSP returning to smash Diaz.

MrStuffins

karl bracken wrote: »

I think Condit has all the tools to beat Diaz, he matches him in every area except BJJ but his Jitz is good enough to defend and get back up.
I think his power will be the deciding factor and take a decision after hurting him a few times...
Either way it will be a great fight!

He doesn't match his for boxing.

Condit has decent hands and the power that Diaz lacks, but in no way do they match in this respect!

clancy wiggum

stealinhorses wrote: »

After seeing the second episode of Primetime, the only thing I can't wait for is GSP returning to smash Diaz.

any chance of a link to that episode bud?

O.P.H

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoRxqZpb890

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHrzL0a0ilI

loremolis

Did anyone hear if ESPNUK is on a freeview weekend for UFC 143?

El Guapo!

loremolis wrote: »

Did anyone hear if ESPNUK is on a freeview weekend for UFC 143?

Yeah I heard that alright.
I just checked it there and it seems to be true anyway.

conor678

Hi,

Can you please enlighten me on how ESPN is free for Sky users that weekend? Just curious?

El Guapo!

conor678 wrote: »

Hi,

Can you please enlighten me on how ESPN is free for Sky users that weekend? Just curious?

I'm not really sure what you mean. It's just free! If you switch on ESPN next weekend you'll be able to watch it.

conor678

Cheers! Just clarifying it. Bit strange but bonus for that weekend!

El Guapo!

conor678 wrote: »

Cheers! Just clarifying it. Bit strange but bonus for that weekend!

I think they do it a few times a year to try entice new customers over. It's handy alright if you don't have it, and it's great that it happens to be on a big UFC weekend!

Ian Whelan

I like to watch Roy Nelson, I think he's a very entertaining fighter and incredibly tough. I think he's an example of someone who has just been unfortunate with his match ups, i.e. JDS, Frank Mir and now Werdum, Struve was a tough fight for him too and one which Nelson was expected to lose.

I think he's going to struggle against Werdum but I hope he can spring a surprise and I hope that even if he loses the UFC give him another few fights.

dave1982

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8RjeykTmzE

Zero-Cool

My 2nd favourite part of Office Space, Michael Bolton FTW!

As much as I would like to see Condit beating Diaz, I would prefer to see Diaz beat GSP. If GSP walks through him, then there really is no one else to challenge him.

This a gas video of Diaz tapping out one of his homies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfj4VzceUC8

JJayoo

Don't rate the boxing of the Diaz brothers. They are very flat footed, no movement and rely on their ability to take punishment and keep throwing punches.

I think if Nick uses this approach with Condit he will get his head taken off.

dave1982

scary how good he would be against a regular Joe

MrStuffins

JJayoo wrote: »

Don't rate the boxing of the Diaz brothers. They are very flat footed, no movement and rely on their ability to take punishment and keep throwing punches.

I think if Nick uses this approach with Condit he will get his head taken off.

Perhaps not if they were competing in Boxing, but both brothers have been very VERY effective with their boxing in MMA competition.

JJayoo

I can just see a lot of fighters in the welterweight division that could beat him. I do like his style/heart and think he could make some very interesting matches. For some reason I would like to see him fight Thiago Alves. Plus I'm not sure how much longer Nick's face will hold out, takes alot of punishment.

Ian Whelan

dave1982 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8RjeykTmzE

This is cool.

Professey Chin

Hes only on the FB Prelims but its someone Im looking forward to seeing how he does

After 62 Straight Kickboxing and MMA Wins, Stephen Thompson Makes UFC Debut

The numbers are something out of a video game or a movie or someone's imagination. In amateur kickboxing, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson was 37-0. As a pro kickboxer, 20-0. As a professional mixed martial artist, he's 5-0 so far. That's 62 straight fights without a loss.

But it's no facade, and his record is no product of fishy matchmaking. In fact, despite his newness on the MMA scene, he's already wowed some of this sports' brightest minds. Georges St-Pierre's trainer Firas Zahabi recently called Thompson "definitely the best karate guy, the best striker I've ever seen, all around in any sport."

The welterweight brings his exceptional record to this weekend's UFC 143, where he faces fellow octagon rookie Daniel Stittgen, hoping to extend his ridiculous streak.

The remarkable run is the result of a lifetime spent in the martial arts. Ask him about the last time he lost a fight in competition and he has to scan his memory, traveling more than a decade back into the 1990s, when he was a 12-year-old on the karate tournament circuit.

"Honestly, I did hundreds and hundreds of them, and I probably lost every one of them," he said. "I maybe won one time. I would get my butt tore up. I remember that like it was yesterday. So I learned as a young kid to keep my chin up and keep training hard. I know what losing feels like and I don't want to do it again. That's what pushes me now."

His experiences as a youth didn't just supply the drive for his current success, they also provided his "Wonderboy" moniker. Given his resume, you might guess that it stems from his remarkable success as a fighter, but you would be wrong. Instead, he got pegged with the name back in elementary school, when he was known for singing and dancing, and got tagged by his sister's boyfriend as "Stevie Wonder," later altered to "Wonderboy."

Regardless of the origins, the label proved prophetic. As Thompson's record suggests, he's been a phenom on the combat sports scene for years.

Now 28 years old, Thompson aims to prove he is much more than a standup artist. He has a black belt in Japanese jiu-jitsu, trains Brazilian jiu-jitsu under his brother-in-law, eighth-degree black belt Carlos Machado, and says his wrestling is his second strongest skill behind his striking.

"I've had many fights, but this is the biggest stage I've ever fought in," he said. "The UFC is the best. They're it. I'm glad to have the privilege to come in and fight there. Nerves will play a big part, but if you're not nervous going into a fight, you shouldn't be out there."

Thompson started in the martial arts at three years old, training under his father, Ray, who owns a karate studio in Simpsonville, South Carolina. But it wasn't always a love affair. By around the age of 10 or 11, the flame had burned out. While his friends were playing baseball and football, Thompson found himself constantly stuck at the dojo.

He trained there. He ate there. He did his homework there.

"As I got to that age, doing it all the time was like work," he said. "It wasn't fun anymore. But one day, the light bulb clicked in my head, and I got it."

Thompson was around 12 at that time, working out in adult classes. By the time he was 15, he was making his amateur debut, inspired in part by his older sister Lindsay, who he often watched compete and aimed to emulate.

He did her proud, defeating an unbeaten 26-year-old en route to 37 straight victories. His biggest personal highlight came in 2005, when he captured a World Association of Kickboxing Organizations championship at a tournament held in Szeged, Hungary, becoming the first American to win a gold in the tournament since 1983.

But even as Thompson succeeded -- 46 of his 57 career wins were by KO -- he was hit by the nagging feeling that kickboxing wasn't really going anywhere. Coupled with his own personal aspirations, he knew a move to MMA was in his future.

"My goal was always to be the best fighter, and in order to do that, I was going to have to switch to MMA and use these skills that I've been working on ever since I was younger but never got to use in competition," he said.

Thompson's move was delayed by a devastating knee injury in 2007 that saw him tear the ACL, MCL and PCL in his left knee. Later on, he suffered another setback, hurting the same knee after trying to do too much, too soon.

Upon returning, Thompson began training with some of the world's best MMA minds, including St-Pierre. Years prior, GSP had been in the corner of a Thompson opponent, only to watch "Wonderboy" KO his friend. The camps stayed in contact and GSP has since called on Thompson several times to assist in his camp.

"It does give you a lot of confidence going into fights," he said. "When you're up there and going toe-to-toe with the world's best -- and I know I still have a long way to get to where he is when it comes to wrestling and jiu-jitsu -- but it definitely gives me a mental advantage going into fights."

In his octagon debut, he faces Stittgen (7-1), another UFC newcomer who has earned five of his wins by submission. Thompson said that he expects his opponents to want no part of his standup and look to take the fight to the mat at the first available opportunity. But he trusts his wrestling to keep him upright, saying that it's always been a point of emphasis in training as a way to keep himself in an advantageous position.

And more than that, he trust his fight instincts. Thompson's record doesn't just suggest he is a winner, it proves it beyond any doubt. The streak may be in jeopardy every time he fights, but like most winners, "Wonderboy" doesn't spend much time thinking about what he has already done. Every fight is a new experience, providing a new lesson.

"People always ask me what will happen if I lose, and I never really thought about it until they asked me," he said. "If I do lose, it will just give me a stronger drive to train harder. I know guys are out here to rip my head off and trip me up. But coming from my background almost gives me an advantage because I know guys are going to want to take me down. Everyone out there can look for an exciting fight, and it's going to be another knockout."

http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/01/31/after-62-straight-kickboxing-and-mma-wins-stephen-thompson-make/

O.P.H

Class! Haven't looked forward to a UFC weekend this much in ages

Xlami

I truly believed for the past 3 years that Semtex was the best WW striker in all of MMA, when Diaz knocked him out my respect for him soared. I still think he's never beaten a great wrestler, however I don't see Conduit as the man to do that and I predict a Diaz KO.

notyalc666

I don't like Diaz as a person (granted I have never met him) but he is a hell of a fighter. I will be backing Condit in this one tho.

Roar

I like Diaz, like him a lot more after the Primetime shows - seems a decent, hardworking guy, incredibly focused but very shy, nervous around new people.. I thought the interview with his teacher was very revealing. And that segment where he opened up and started talking about school was very emotional I thought.

looking forward to seeing this fight.

MrStuffins

UFC have a free e-version of the UFC 143 event program up on their website.

http://www.ufc.com/program

Richard tea

Any times and stations of this event?

MrStuffins

Richard tea wrote: »

Any times and stations of this event?

ESPN, 3am, Saturday night (sunday morning).

liger

notyalc666 wrote: »

I don't like Diaz as a person (granted I have never met him) but he is a hell of a fighter. I will be backing Condit in this one tho.

Its funny at times how the media can make a guy look like a total Jerk and then when you get to see a live interview or something thats more transparent than the build up shows you get a complete other view.

Example. Frank Mir on TUF was built up to be a big time stupid jerk with a chip and not much smarts. Big nog was the babyface in the show hugging everyone and smiling. But after the show on some interview with Mir I couldnt believe it was the same person. and he admitted that had he know the UFC would show him in such a bad way he'd have never have done TUF. And big Nog didn't smile once when i met him in person!!!!

Yes Diaz comes across as someone who might not be everyone's cuppa tea but i am sure the ufc are happy with the drawing power he has. Some of the people love to watch cause they want him to win, the rest watch to see him get a beating, everyone watches because they know it wont be boring!!! Either way, UFC wins. And hopefully Diaz.

MrStuffins

I feel really sorry for Diaz. Yeah, he might come across as the brash sh*thead but when you see him being interviewed he REALLY doesn't wanna be in the public eye.

Has anyone seen his latest interview with Ariel Helwani? I felt really bad for the guy. He couldn't look Ariel in the eye, a lot of the time he didn't know what to be saying and there were times when his mind was elsewhere and he had to ask Ariel to repeat the questions as he wasn't with it.

liger

And UFC 143 will have NO Gladiator:



"The UFC will debut a new 60-second opening for its pay-per-view events at this weekend's "UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit" show in Las Vegas. It'll replace the one that's been in use for nearly a decade."
Source MMAJunkie.com

Shazbot

MrStuffins wrote: »

I feel really sorry for Diaz. Yeah, he might come across as the brash sh*thead but when you see him being interviewed he REALLY doesn't wanna be in the public eye.

Has anyone seen his latest interview with Ariel Helwani? I felt really bad for the guy. He couldn't look Ariel in the eye, a lot of the time he didn't know what to be saying and there were times when his mind was elsewhere and he had to ask Ariel to repeat the questions as he wasn't with it.

He's like that in all interviews. Nate has a similar, but not as bad, demeanor during interviews. Nick tends to shuffle and star at the ground while talking in circles. I'd say he just hates social situations with people he doesn't know.

It's good to see him come out of his shell when people ask him the right questions. He does get excited answering some questions but he clearly doesn't like the intrusion of the media.

I'd back Diaz by TKO or submission in the 4th or 5th round. I'd love to see him fight GSP. No matter who wins this they will be waiting until September or October for GSP. I wonder would they take another fight or wait for GSP.

Zero-Cool

Not sure which UFC 143 thread to post in but saw this was made first. Maybe a mod could merger?

As far as interviews go, here is a funny one of Mayhem interviewing him back in Strikeforce. It's a good thing Miller will never get his longed for fight with Diaz as Diaz would destroy him at this stage. Slightly off topic, anyone know whats going on with Mayhem these days?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSAQK6y_EXw

rain on

liger wrote: »

And UFC 143 will have NO Gladiator:



"The UFC will debut a new 60-second opening for its pay-per-view events at this weekend's "UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit" show in Las Vegas. It'll replace the one that's been in use for nearly a decade."
Source MMAJunkie.com

Ah noooooo! I love the gladiator and the cheesy music, gets me really excited every time

El Guapo!

I have to be honest. I never liked Diaz. Of course there was no denying his talent but I thought the same as everybody else....that he was basically a bully who was unprofessional and didn't give a fúck about anybody but himself.
But in the past while I'm starting to see another side to him and it seems he really is just mis-understood. The Primetime videos really opened my eyes to what he's really like and I'm actually starting to like him.

Having said that, this is a really tough fight to call. I always liked Condit. I think he seems to be a down to earth guy and a top fighter. Diaz has that incredible cardio and he could to 15 rounds tomorrow if he needed to.

I can see this fight going one of 2 ways. - Either Diaz wins by decision, or Condit wins by KO. Both guys have incredible Jiu-Jitsu so I think they'll cancel each other out on the ground and both of them will probably want to keep it on the feet.
Either way I'd say it's gonna be a cracking fight and I'm really looking forward to it.

I think I'll put my money on a Condit KO tomorrow but I'll be happy whoever wins.