Nate Diaz has always been considered a step behind his brother Nick. But tonight, he did his big bro one better by tearing through Japanese star Takanori Gomi in just over four minutes. Diaz pummeled Gomi on the feet to set up an armbar stoppage at 4:27 of the first round in Denver, Co.
Gomi was arguably the best 155-pound fighter in the world from 1998-2005 as rolled up a 24-2 record. He got a wake up call against Nick in 2007 at PRIDE 33. The older Diaz won that fight, but he also took some damage. Nate had no such problems. He was never threatened in four-plus minutes by the dangerous power puncher.
The 5-foot-7 Gomi simply couldn't solve the length riddle presented by the 6-foot Diaz. The taller fighter used his reach brilliantly. According to Compustrike, he made good on 52 percent of his punches and outlanded Gomi 44-8.
Diaz (14-7, 9-5 UFC) flicked the jab early as a range finder. It made Gomi incredibly tentative. When Diaz finally threw with bad intentions it was a blowout.
Gomi (33-8, 1-3 UFC) ate a right hook with 3:30 left in the round,� Diaz began to taunt him and dropped his hands. Diaz started to land 1-2's whenever he wanted. A stunned Gomi tried to shoot and found himself under Diaz, who pounded away. Gomi got back to his feet, but he was close to finished as he put his back on the cage.
Diaz let his hands go and battered Gomi. Gomi actually recovered for a split second by pushing Diaz to the ground, but made the silly move of going into the Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert's guard. Diaz's legs are a mile long. Gomi got twisted up and caught in a triangle. Diaz eventually transitioned it to an arm bar forcing Gomi to tap.
Diaz is back where he belongs at 155 pounds. He made the strange move up to welterweight where he went 0-2 against Dong Hyun Kim and Rory MacDonald. If he stays focused, he can certainly get right back into the mix for a run at the lightweight title. Keep in mind, he lost a narrow decision to Gray Maynard just 20 months ago. Maynard fought to a draw at UFC 125 against champion Frank Edgar. The rematch goes down in two weeks at UFC 136 in Houston.
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