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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC 158: GSP VS. DIAZ
MARCH 16, 2013
LIVE FROM MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA
=====Facebook Preliminary Card Quick Results=====
-George Roop def. Reuben Duran via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
-T.J. Dillashaw def. Issei Tamura via KO at :26 of the second round
-Rick Story def. Quinn Mulhern via TKO at 3:05 of the first round
=====FX Preliminary Card=====
-Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan open up the broadcast catching people up on the GSP-Diaz hype from the week, then it's quickly onto the first televised fight of the night.
FIGHT ONE: DARON CRUICKSHANK VS. JOHN MAKDESSI (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: The crowd got antsy for action as there was a tentative start to the fight. The crowd booed as only one strike was thrown in the first minute. Cruickshank threw a kick high but it missed. Cruickshank sidestepped an attack and tried to engage, but Makdessi got away. They each finally got in a few strikes. Cruickshank got one in to the shoulder. Makdessi scored with a couple of jabs. Makdessi landed a low blow that brought a slight halt to the action. They traded some short strikes. Makdessi got in a short hook. Makdessi got in a straight kick. He went for the spinning back fist but didn't fire it off. Cruickshank spun with a kick to the body and shot in, but he got stuffed. Cruickshank landed an elbow. Makdessi landed a punch to the back of the head after sidestepping a kick. Cruickshank jumped in with a knee at the end of the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cruickshank. Not much action, but Cruickshank got a little bit more offense in.
ROUND TWO: Makdessi landed a kick to the body early. He got in a solid left. Cruickshank got up high with a kick. Both fighters changed their stances. Makdessi got in a good leg kick. Cruickshank threw another kick that was blocked. Cruickshank popped in with a nice uppercut. Makdessi came forward and landed a strike. Cruickshank didn't commit to a spinning back fist and he ate a strike. Makdessi landed award spinning kick to the body. Cruickshank threw one himself. He shot in, got stuffed and ate some strikes. Cruickshank landed a kick to the leg. They traded jabs. Makdessi got in a couple of hard jabs. Cruickshank landed a hard right. Cruickshank got in a side kick to the body. Makdessi landed a few strikes in combination. Makdessi got in a left and a nice overhand right. He landed a nice counter left. Makdessi landed a spinning back fist. Cruickshank missed a jumping strike and Makdessi landed a couple before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Makdessi. He got in more offense that round, with a lot more action overall.
ROUND THREE: Both came out firing, landing throughout the first minute. Cruickshank got in a nice left. Makdessi caught a kick and sent Cruickshank down, then let him back up. Makdessi landed a hard left. He got in a short combo. Cruickshank shot in and got stuffed. Makdessi landed a couple of jabs. Cruickshank got in a right. Makdessi landed a good left. He popped his head back with it again. He landed a nice counter. Cruickshank went down with another stuffed takedown and ate a few strikes before Makdessi let him up. Makdessi closed the distance and landed the left again. Spinning kick to the body landed. Cruickshank got in a right. Makdessi landed another combo. He got in a straight kick to the body. Cruickshank poked Makdessi in the eye. That was a blatant eye poke. Makdessi landed a hook kick and came out angry at the restart. He landed a good combo. Cruickshank missed a couple of spinning kicks that were telegraphed. Makdessi landed a nice combo. He popped him again, and kept the pressure on through the end of the round and the fight.
Penick's Analysis: 10-9 Makdessi. Took control of that fight by the second round, and really unloaded in that round. The eye poke fired him up, and should have had a point deduction. That was intentional.
WINNER: Makdessi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) The first round was far too tentative, but things started picking up from there. That said, eye pokes like that really need to be docked points.
FIGHT TWO: DAN MILLER VS. JORDAN MEIN (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Miller landed an early leg kick. Mein tried to back him up to the cage. Miller landed a couple of body strikes. Miller got in a left but got hit with a counter. Miller ducked under a strike and scored a nice takedown. Miller went for an aggressive pass and grabbed for an armbar, but Mein rolled through and got himself out. Great sequence. Miller landed a hard right. He got in a leg kick. Mein landed a solid elbow. Miller landed a hard kick to the body. Mein got in a counter strike. Miller went inside with a leg kick. They traded strikes in a short flurry. Mein landed a huge left hook that knocked Miller down. He let him stand back up instead of rushing in. Mein got in a hard right as Miller tried to regain his legs. Miller landed a couple strikes. Mein landed a few jabs that popped Miller's head back. He swarmed and got Miller down. He continued the assault on the ground and the ref had to step in. Wow. That was impressive.
WINNER: Mein via TKO at 4:42 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) Great UFC debut from Jordan Mein. Miller's never been stopped before in his professional career, and he's fought some very good fighters and very good finishers before. It was a competitive round through the first four minutes, but once Mein found his range and had Miller hurt, he was able to finish it off. Very impressive.
FIGHT THREE: ANTONIO CARVALHO VS. DARREN ELKINS (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Elkins got the clinch and they traded body shots. Elkins got in a right to the body. Elkins feigned a strike and shot in. Carvalho held it off, but ate some strikes as he got free. Carvalho landed a left hook. Elkins pressed in with a short combo. Elkins landed a hook to the body but ate the counter. Elkins shot again and then clinched against the cage. He landed a knee to the body. Carvalho turned him around and got separation, but ate a right on the break. Carvalho threw a high kick that missed. Elkins landed a left. Elkins landed a hard right and wobbled Carvalho. He landed another combination and Carvalho dropped. He popped back up and Yves Lavigne stepped right in. Questionable stoppage, but there's no question Carvalho was hurt badly there.
WINNER: Elkins via TKO at 3:06 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Good fight, good work from Elkins, but definitely a questionable stoppage on the part of Yves Lavigne.
-T.J. Dillashaw's win over Issei Tamura makes the televised broadcast.
FIGHT FOUR: PATRICK COTE VS. BOBBY VOELKER (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Voelker landed an early left. They exchanged in the center of the cage with Cote getting the best of it. Cote landed a nice combination. He backed Voelker up and landed a hard right. Voelker clinched up and Cote landed some strikes. Voelker briefly turned it around, then they continued fighting for position on the cage. Cote landed an elbow as he broke free. Cote kept the pressure on and avoided the counters. Cote landed a nice left. Voelker connected with a right and Cote shrugged in approval. Voelker scored a takedown from a body lock. Cote shot up for an armbar but let it go. Cote continued working from his back. Voelker ride to stay busy, but Cote defended well from his back. Voelker ended the round on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cote. Despite the takedown, Cote had more offense and threatened from his back.
ROUND TWO: They came out firing and each scored in an early combo. Voelker cut Cote open on the eyebrow. After another exchange, Cote walked Voelker down. He unleashed a big torrent of strikes. He pressed Voelker back, then Voelker closed in with a solid combination of his own. Cote separated from another clinch with an elbow. Voelker got in a knee. Cote turned him around in the clinch. Cote exploded with a short combo to break out of the clinch. He landed a hard kick to the body. Voelker landed a kick and a series of punches. Cote clinched again. Voelker threw Cote, but Cote popped to his feet. They traded punches again. Cote fired off a few. Voelker landed a right. Cote tried a takedown at the end of the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cote. Voelker scored better than in the first round, but not enough to overtake Cote in that round.
ROUND THREE: They exchanged punches in a flurry and Cote got hurt. Voelker hurt him again, but Cote clinched up and tried to regain his composure. Cote backed off and threw a jumping knee. Voelker tried to walk him down. He landed a strike. He backed off with an elbow. They traded strikes with Voelker getting the edge. Cote tried to get a takedown, but wound up on his back with half the round left. Voelker landed some hard hammerfists. Cote got to his knees, but Voelker kept him down. Cote got to his feet and got immediately taken down. Cote went for a triangle but Voelker got out. Cote rolled to his knees and tried to stand. Voelker scored with strikes on the way up. Voelker ended the round throwing punches from the top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Voelker. Cote was gassed and Voelker took over from there. Could be an interesting scorecard.
WINNER: Cote via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
-Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano/Miesha Tate will coach the next TUF, with 135 lb. men and 135 lb. women competing, according to Dana White.
=====Pay-Per-View Card=====
-After running down the fights left for tonight, we throw right to the first fight of the pay-per-view card.
FIGHT FIVE: MIKE RICCI VS. COLIN FLETCHER (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Ricci walked forward and engaged early. Fletcher landed a couple early leg kicks. Ricci went high with a kick that was blocked. Fletcher landed a hard kick to the body. Ricci popped in with a nice straight left. Fletcher landed another kick to the body. Ricci closed the distance and landed a hard left. Ricci landed the left a few more times. He landed a kick to the body and covered up as Fletcher caught it. Ricci landed a nice counter left and a two punch combo. He got in a spinning kick to the body. Ricci landed an inside leg kick. Fletcher missed an over hand right. Ricci landed a right, then a kick to the body. Ricci landed a few straight kicks to the body. He got in a kick to the body. Fletcher landed a kick low and the action halted. Ricci landed a couple punches. Fletcher landed a right after spinning a couple times. Fletcher clinched and ended the round at the cage.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ricci. He had the more significant offense during the round.
ROUND TWO: The two traded strikes early. Ricci landed a head kick. He caught a kick and got Fletcher down early. Ricci postured up and landed a couple elbows. He passed and landed more strikes. Fletcher tried to attack a leg, but Ricci got out and dragged him down from the back. Fletcher worked to his feet, but was busted open. The action slowed in the clinch for a bit, and Ricci finally broke free with an elbow. Ricci landed a body kick. He landed a right. Fletcher landed a body kick. Fletcher landed a kick again. Ricci got one in. Ricci landed a straight left. They traded kicks. Action slowed down considerably. Fletcher threw a spinning back fist that was blocked. The round ended to some boos.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ricci. Not a ton of action after the first half of the round, but Ricci scored a lot more.
ROUND THREE: Fletcher brought things to a clinch early, pressing Ricci to the cage. Ricci turned him around. They continued battling in the clinch as Fletcher was getting desperate. Ricci landed a few elbows to break free. He landed a couple of punches. The crowd booed as the action slowed. Ricci got in a few strikes. Ricci closed the distance and scored a takedown and passed to half guard. He postured up and landed some strikes. Ricci got Fletcher's back and went for a choke. Fletcher defended. Ricci rolled for an armbar but lost it and Fletcher ended the fight on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ricci. Ugly, slow round, bringing a merciful end to a bad fight.
WINNER: Ricci via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (*) Bad fight. Really ugly, and absolutely should not have been on pay-per-view.
FIGHT SIX: CHRIS CAMOZZI VS. NICK RING (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Ring landed a couple of early kicks and then Camozzi landed a solid right. Camozzi got in with a right. Ring landed an outside leg kick. Camozzi got in with an outside leg kick. Ring scored a right. Camozzi landed a right. Ring kept his hands low. They each missed some strikes. Camozzi landed an overhand left and Ring circled around. Camozzi got in a body kick. Camozzi landed a couple strikes. Ring landed an inside leg kick. Some in the crowd chanted "boring," and they weren't wrong. Camozzi got in a strike. Camozzi got in with a short rush of strikes and Ring kept his hands down. Camozzi again landed a left. Ring landed an outside leg kick. Camozzi got in a leg kick and a couple of punches. They traded strikes at center before the ugly round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Camozzi. Ugly start to the fight. I'm not sure what Ring's doing with his hands at his sides, but it's not doing much for him.
ROUND TWO: They traded leg kicks. Ring got in a left. Ring landed a couple more. Camozzi got in a solid right. Camozzi got in a knee. Camozzi landed a knee to the body. He landed a nice strike. He grabbed for a guillotine, but lost it and they separated. They exchanged strikes a few more times, but the round progressed with little happening. Camozzi's nose got bloodied up from jabs. Camozzi landed a solid right. Camozzi got in a knee. The round ended to more boos.
Penick's Analysis: 10-9 Camozzi. Maybe. I don't know. Rogan's making it seem like Ring is way far ahead, but it doesn't seem like that. It's just a bad fight at this stage.
ROUND THREE: Ring landed an early combo. Camozzi got in a couple strikes. Camozzi pressed in with a left. Camozzi landed a couple strikes. Camozzi got in another short combo. Ring landed a jab. Camozzi scored a couple strikes. He landed another left. He landed a left over the top. He got in an uppercut. He got Ring's back standing and drove him to the cage. He landed a knee to the head. He got in a knee to the leg. Ring got free. They traded strikes. Camozzi got in a couple strikes. He landed a couple more and Ring landed a counter. Camozzi grabbed for a headlock, but Ring got his head loose. Camozzi landed a jab. Camozzi landed a hard straight left. They traded strikes. Rogan continued to act as if Ring were up two rounds, not sure what fight he was watching. Camozzi landed a few strikes. The round ended, thankfully.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Camozzi. Ring had nearly zero offense that round, and shouldn't win this fight.
WINNER: Camozzi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*-) Awful fight. Really ugly, very little legitimate action, Joe Rogan at his worst in one-sided commentary, and we'll all be better off just forgetting that happened.
FIGHT SEVEN: NATE MARQUARDT VS. JAKE ELLENBERGER (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Marquardt landed an early inside leg kick. Ellenberger got one in himself. Marquardt slipped after a hard leg kick. Marquardt continued landing the leg kick. Marquardt caught a kick and rushed forward with a flurry. He landed a nice right in there. Ellenberger landed a strike that started a mouse under Marquardt's eye. Marquardt landed a few more outside leg kicks. Ellenberger tried to close the distance and Marquardt circled on the outside. Ellenberger dropped Marquardt with a huge two punch combo on the cage. He landed a few more and Marquardt went out on the ground. He got brought back to from a shot and tried to protest the stoppage, but he was out. Huge, huge, huge win for Jake Ellenberger.
WINNER: Ellenberger via KO at 3:00 of the first round
STAR RATING: (***-) That's a fantastic win for Ellenberger. Marquardt hasn't been beaten like that since his fight with Anderson Silva, and he had some solid offense himself before that finish. That's a certainly disheartening loss for Marquardt, but exactly the type of win Ellenberger needed.
FIGHT EIGHT: CARLOS CONDIT VS. JOHNY HENDRICKS (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Bruce Buffer mistakenly announced this as the main event. Hendricks walked forward and landed the overhand left early. He rushed in again with the flurry. Condit landed a knee and then got slammed by Hendricks. Hendricks let him back up. Hendricks landed a left. Condit landed a nice right. Hendricks rushed forward with the lefts and then scored a takedown. Condit worked back to his feet, but got dragged back down. Condit tried to attack from the bottom. Condit landed some elbows from the bottom. Hendricks ultimately stood and let Condit back up. Condit landed a few leg kicks. Hendricks swung the lefts but didn't land, then picked Condit up and tried to slam him. Condit held it off briefly, but got dragged down. Condit tried to roll out and scrambled. Hendricks grabbed a head lock. Condit got to his feet and free. Condit threw the jumping knee but it was blocked. Hendricks landed a few strikes. Condit grabbed for a kimura and then got Hendricks' back. He tried to set up a standing choke, but Hendricks held it off and Condit let go. He threw a straight kick. They traded strikes late and then Hendricks got a takedown to end the round. Hell of a fight thus far.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Hendricks. Condit's still very much in this fight, but between the takedowns and strikes that was his round.
ROUND TWO: Hendricks pressed in early and landed a few lefts again. Hendricks landed a left to the body and missed one to the head. He closed the distance and scored another takedown. He got to half guard. Condit regained guard and got to his feet. He landed a right. Hendricks tagged him with the left. Condit tried to avoid the rush and Hendricks shot in again. Hendricks took him down again. Condit landed some elbows from his back. He got to his feet as Hendricks stayed on a single leg. Condit got in a couple knees and backed Hendricks off. He landed a hard body shot. Condit pressed Hendricks back. He threw the flying knee and then Hendricks took him down. Condit got to his feet again in a nice scramble. He landed a solid right. Condit backed Hendricks up, but Hendricks snuck out, landed a punch, and then scored a takedown. Condit landed a couple elbows, then got to his feet. He pressed in as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Hendricks. Condit needs a finish here, as Hendricks is well ahead.
ROUND THREE: Condit threw an early head kick that was blocked. Hendricks tried to rush in but Condit avoided it. Condit got in a right. He landed a couple strikes. Hendricks shot and Condit grabbed for a kimura. Condit landed an elbow from the bottom. Hendricks tried to stay busy on top. Condit attacked for a kimura and used it to stand. He landed a cobo on the cage. Hendricks fired back with a few uppercuts. Condit threw a head kick in a flurry and Hendricks grabbed a hold of him. He landed some knees to the thighs. He scored another takedown. Condit landed some punches from his back. He landed some elbows and Hendricks stood, allowing him up. Condit landed a huge right, but Hendricks grabbed a hold of him. Condit got loose. Hendricks shot in again and scored another takedown. Hendricks was cut open. Condit again got to his feet. He rushed in and landed a big left. He landed a knee but Hendricks grabbed him for another takedown. Condit grabbed for the kimura as he got taken down, and scrambled to his feet. Condit landed a few punches to the end of the round. What a fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Condit. Despite the takedowns, Hendricks had little offense overall, and Condit scored a lot that frame. Too little, too late, but he was doing whatever he could until the end. Hell of a fight.
WINNER: Hendricks via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (****) That was just an incredible back and forth fight. It easily could have been 30-27 for Hendricks, but despite that, Condit was in the fight start to finish. He just didn't have the takedown defense to deal with the combination of strikes and wrestling Hendricks employed. Even hurt into the third round, Hendricks continued throwing those bombs. That was a thrilling, excellent, exciting fight.
-Hendricks called out GSP after that win. He deserves that fight next.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT NINE: GEORGES ST-PIERRE VS. NICK DIAZ (WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
ROUND ONE: GSP landed an early leg kick. Diaz tried to close the distance and St-Pierre immediately took him down. GSP landed some body punches. He landed a big elbow as Diaz tried to throw his legs up. St-Pierre stood up and dropped back down with strikes. He rolled Diaz over, then got his back. GSP held position and landed some strikes. Diaz tried to roll over and GSP sprawled. GSP landed some strikes and continued to hold control of Diaz. GSP landed more strikes as Diaz tried to roll out. He transitioned to side control, then tried to get mount. He landed a big strike as Diaz tried to regain guard. St-Pierre stood and dropped down with a strike. He landed a couple of big elbows. Diaz rolled again and St-Pierre kept the attack up. Diaz got to a knee and GSP continued landing strikes. Diaz got to his feet and GSP landed a knee to the body before dragging him back down. Diaz got back to his feet and tried to attack an arm with a kimura, but St-Pierre just tossed him down. He landed a few more strikes as the round came to a close. Diaz almost took a swing at him after the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 St-Pierre. There was just nothing from Diaz that round, it was all GSP.
ROUND TWO: Diaz landed an inside leg kick. St-Pierre landed a couple of kicks himself. He threw a few jabs and missed a straight kick. He landed a left. He got in another nice counter as Diaz missed. GSP shot in and scored another easy takedown. He tried to posture up as Diaz tried to control his body. Diaz landed a couple strikes from his back and St-Pierre landed a couple strikes. He postured up and dropped in with a few strikes. Diaz tried to roll and GSP got side mount and landed a brutal knee to the body. He landed a few more strikes and continued passing to open up. Diaz tried to get back up and GSP dragged him back down. GSP got back to guard and landed a few more elbows. Diaz rolled out of guard to his knees again, and GSP continued scoring with strikes as the crowd cheered him on. St-Pierre grabbed a head lock and got in some more knees. Diaz got loose and ate a punch. Diaz tried to do a little taunting and St-Pierre hit him with the superman punch. Diaz landed a body kick. St-Pierre landed a couple jabs. St-Pierre shot one more superman punch in as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 GSP. Not quite as dominant as the first round, but he's still completely in control.
ROUND THREE: Diaz complained that GSP was "being a bitch" in between rounds. GSP threw a jumping kick as the round started. Diaz started talking shit as GSP was hitting him with haps and kicks. GSP landed a left hook. GSP shot in but Diaz held it off. GSP then shot in again under a punch and scored the takedown. Diaz again rolled to his knees and briefly got to his feet. GSP landed a few more knees and strikes as Diaz worked to his feet. GSP separated. He threw a straight kick. He got in another jab. He landed a couple strikes and shot in but Diaz stopped it. GSP continued landing the jab. Diaz landed a hard body punch, but ate a big left from GSP. GSP landed the inside leg kick. Diaz landed a couple kicks. GSP landed a body kick, then a jab. GSP landed a hook. They started "throwing spinning shit". GSP landed a nice combination, then clinched briefly before backing off. GSP landed a vicious straight punch. Diaz got in a jab. Diaz landed a few more jabs. GSP stumbled as Diaz came in. They exchanged strikes. Diaz landed a solid left. GSP then scored a takedown with less then a minute left. He postured up and landed a couple strikes. His not was bleeding. Diaz tried to roll through and ate a few more strikes before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 GSP. Diaz had a little offense towards the end, but this is still all GSP right now.
ROUND FOUR: Diaz landed a leg kick. GSP landed a jab. St-Pierre landed a few short strikes in close. They exchanged strikes. Diaz shot in and got stuffed. He landed a solid jab. GSP continued landing jabs. He landed another hard jab. Diaz tried to throw a winging strike and missed. GSP landed a left. They traded punches. GSP landed another hook. He stuffed another takedown. GSP threw a head kick that was blocked, got in a superman punch and clinched. They traded knees to the body. Diaz landed some knees to the body and punches as well. Diaz got in a nice exchange to separate. Diaz held his hands at his sides. GSP landed a left. GSP landed another jab. He shot in and scored the takedown with two minutes left. Diaz tried to work from his back, but GSP worked right through it. Diaz walked to his feet as GSP had his back. GSP picked him up and slammed him down. Diaz got to a knee again and stood. He attacked for a kimura, but GSP held it off and landed a body strike. GSP landed some strikes on the cage as Diaz again stood up. Diaz tried to roll through, and the round ended with GSP on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 GSP. Diaz is going for desperation strikes and submissions now. He's trying to goad GSP into something stupid, and it's just not happening.
ROUND FIVE: Diaz landed a couple kicks early. He landed a good straight left. St-Pierre scored with the superman punch and then clinched. GSP landed a knee to the body. He got in another one. They separated and Diaz landed a few strikes. Diaz slipped on a head kick attempt and St-Pierre pounced. He landed some strikes and Diaz again tried to attack for the kimura. GSP shut it down and landed some more strikes. He got a hook in and Diaz rolled through. GSP landed a few more strikes. GSP landed a couple knees to the body. Diaz scrambled and got to his feet. They traded strikes and GSP clinched. Diaz landed some body shots and a knee to the body. GSP landed a couple uppercuts. They separated with a minute left. St-Pierre threw a kick up. He then shot in and scored another takedown. Diaz gained guard and the crowd was in a roar as St-Pierre finished out the round and the fight on top with strikes. Diaz raised St-Pierre's hand after the round.
WINNER: GSP via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
STAR RATING: (***+) That was a very good title fight. St-Pierre dominated Diaz in a way Diaz has never been dominated in a fight before. That was a great performance to retain his title.
-GSP said he didn't want to box with him because he's the best boxer in the sport, and his jiu jitsu is amazing. He gave Diaz tons of credit for his jiu jitsu game and his scrambles which he just couldn't prepare for. He said Nick Diaz is a good guy, and that Diaz is one of his favorite guys to watch and that's why he wanted the fight.
-Diaz said he didn't want to make excuses. He thanked GSP for giving him the credit he thinks he deserves. He said he has to figure out if he's going to keep doing this, because he doesn't know if he has it anymore. He said the superman punch upset his timing enough, and blocked what he was doing.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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