Nate Diaz Wants To Move Up To The UFC Welterweight Division

by Kelvin Hunt on Jan 12, 2010 2:50 PM EST in News Comment 12 comments

'TUF 5' Winner Nate Diaz Photo: UFC.com

"I fought like garbage and I'm sorry to my fans for my performance. I was hesitant about throwing hard punches because I kept thinking he was going to go for a takedown. It looked like I was knocked down in the second but actually he stepped on my foot and when I tried to back out I slipped. I really don't think I'm going to stay at 155lbs. I don't make enough money to have to drop this much weight so I'd like to fight at 170 and only go to 55's every once in awhile. You know if you look at his face compared to mine right now you'd think there was no way he beat me in a fight but I've never been too popular with the judges." -Nathan

All I gotta say is if he moves up in weight, he definitely needs to add some muscle mass because there's no shortage of good wrestlers in that division either.

SBN coverage of UFC Fight Night 20: Maynard vs. Diaz

Poll

Should Nate Diaz Move Up To The UFC Welterweight Division

Yep

47 votes

Stay At 155

31 votes

78 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 12 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Yeah, i dont know about all that.

I like Diaz, but I dont think he would do to well as a WW.

@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner

by _Felix_ on Jan 12, 2010 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He does seem to be growing into his frame, with more functional muscle mass I actually think it’s a good idea — not because he doesn’t want to cut though.

Bloody hell.

by 3PA on Jan 12, 2010 2:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yea

he seemed a little bigger against Maynard…and if he’s anything like his brother…as he matures he’ll get bigger/stronger….but right now…I don’t know if this would be a good move…he can’t even handle the 155’ers in regards to out muscling him..

http://www.mmaforreal.com
Follow Me On Twitter@MMA4Real

by Kelvin Hunt on Jan 12, 2010 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he can’t even handle the 155’ers in regards to out muscling him..

Yeah but to be fair you can only get so strong when you’re that tall for the weight class.

But agreed his near future should be spent at 155.

Bloody hell.

by 3PA on Jan 12, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It looks like Diaz’s main problem right now is a complete lack of strength. He has great boxing skills but they have ZERO power to them. The guy could move up if he adopted a new strength and conditioning program.

by mmaislife on Jan 12, 2010 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i picked maynard to win fight but i thought diaz controlled the fight

he needs to stop his antics. diaz raising his hands over his head a few times in the match i think might have pissed off one of the judges. it’s getting old. i definitely could have seen the decision go his way but it did not. after seeing that performance maynard would have really no chance vs b.j. penn. a punchers chance at best. i’m glad he won b/c i picked him and he seems more under control than alot of other fighters but his arm length is not good and that was alves problem vs gsp. glad maynard is 10-0-1 but i think he has gone as far as he can go.

i'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. i was building a house, i don't deserve this, deserves have nothing to do with it. bang. "unforgiven"

by wolfmanshowlforever on Jan 12, 2010 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This one’s a tough call. Strong wrestlers in any division would likely give him some problems. But if he’s comfortable at 170, he might as well give it a shot.

by The Real T-Bone on Jan 12, 2010 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i say why not? he’s not going anywhere at 155. i do agree with everyone that points out if he can’t handle the wrestlers at 155, how’s he going to handle them at 170 (which is stacked with great wrestlers). he even admitted that he didn’t want to sit down on his punches, in fear of being taken down, which doesn’t make alot of sense being that’s where he should have wanted the fight to go.
but if he can bulk up to 180-185 with weights and nutrition and cuts down to 170, he might develop more power in his punches and be able to use his jits more effectivley without getting manhandled by the big ww’s. and lets face it, he’s going to be on his back alot at 170. alot depends on how much he has been depleting himself to make 155.
another thing that he probably won’t ever do and some might disagree with me on, he’s he should consider changing camps. he hasn’t progessed any in the last 2 years and his bjj is already top level, so he needs a camp that can work on his striking and wrestling. the caeser gracie camp has worked great for brother nick, but he’s in strikeforece. no offense, but if nate where in SF, he might very well be their lw champ. the ufc is a different beast and you HAVE to be more well rounded to stay at or near the top. too many good camps to speculate on, but there are plenty of alternatives.
then again, he may just not be as good as i thought or would like for him to be. :)

by bdw on Jan 12, 2010 5:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs