Key Stats: 9 submission wins (4th all-time), 15 total fight night bonuses (tied-3rd), 5.31 strikes landed per minute (7th)
What It Means: Everyone knows when Diaz is competing, an exciting fight is imminent. Whether he is taunting his opponent verbally or exhausting them with his nonstop pace, Diaz is a whole bag of problems to handle, and he’s always pouring it on his foe. His boxing is fluid, featuring a long jab, a smart check hook and a powerful “2.” He’ll, at times, throw side kicks and kicks to the body, but his main weapons are his hands. Diaz is as slick a submission artist as any on the ground, and few even consider going to ground with him. He is famously tough – don’t let a cut fool you into thinking Diaz is on his way out; it only means the fight has begun.
ATHLETE PROFILES: Leon Edwards | Nate Diaz
What to Look For in the Fight: Edwards does an excellent job of managing the Octagon, whether he is on the back foot or pressing forward. Against Diaz, he’ll likely find himself against the fence often, but he has shown a great ability to use his footwork and a variety of clinches to get his back off the cage. In a rare five-round non-main event, Diaz has the chance to drag a fight into deep waters, which is perhaps where he thrives the most.
