Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Most athletes in Nate Diaz’s position would be feeling the pressure a bit. He’s one of the highest paid men on the roster, but Diaz has lost two of his last three bouts, only competing four times in the previous five years. He’s also a massive underdog to Leon Edwards, who he’ll step into the cage opposite next weekend at UFC 263.
Stockton’s native son isn’t worried though. In fact, Diaz sounds more confident than ever ahead of his five-round main event slot, promising a better Diaz than ever before, and comparing his own accomplishments favorably to that of UFC 263 peers like Israel Adesanya and Deiveson Figueiredo.
“I’ve been fighting for the last 10, 15 years,” Diaz said during a UFC 263 preview (via TheMacLife). “I’ve done it all. I’ve fought all these guys. I’ve done more and done better than anybody. Keeping it real all the way through. I’m like a triathlete, get better with age. Nobody has stayed on top as long as me, and I’m still headlining shows.
“I’m out there to show people I’ll beat the best of the best. If I’m not going to fight the biggest fight I could possibly find, I’m gonna fight the best fighter that I could possibly find.”
Indeed, Diaz has a lot to gain with a victory over Edwards, which could propel him into the Welterweight title picture for the first time. However, even if Diaz comes up short again, the possibility of a rubber match with Conor McGregor is never completely out of the picture.
Insomnia
Julio Cesar Chavez is getting after it at 58!
There’s been some updates to UFC’s planning, but it seems like Darren Till will indeed get his London main event — sounds fun!
If/once this becomes official, the UFC 266 pay-per-view scheduled on Sept. 4 would move to another date.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) June 4, 2021
Cory Sandhagen works the bag:
There is truly nothing in this world more inaccurate than UFC measurements on height and reach.
Since the start of my @ufc career, there is a little misunderstanding about my height. The UFC has listed my height as 6.4″. In reality I’m 188cm tall. That’s likely 6.2″. #BigiBoy #UFCVegas28
— Jairzinho ‘BIGI BOY’ Rozenstruik (@JairRozenstruik) June 4, 2021
Teddy Atlas has cleared the air regarding last night’s mini-controversy. He does indeed know John Wayne Parr, and he claims that someone else wrote that article.
I saw ur response @johnwayneparr and as hurt/angry as you had to feel you spoke as a Champ would. Again, no idea who writer is and never spoke to him or of you. Sorry for any hurt this caused. ❤️
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) June 4, 2021
Jordan Burroughs doing Jordan Burroughs things:
Shoutout to Claressa Shields for swimming against the tide.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
I’m roughly 90% sure this is more of a neck crank than choke, but hey, tap’s a tap!
I’m going to turn this cool spinning back kick KO into a personal anecdote. This week in sparring, my buddy (and former UFC Flyweight) Joseph Morales threw a spin kick at me. I tried to side step the strike, and so it hit me in the hip rather than gut. Two days later, my hip is bruised and still somewhat immobile, and his heel is purple.
We both lost!
Tired and stuck in mount is a bad place to be.
Random Land
I’m pretty cool with heights but this seems a bit much.
Midnight Music: “Low Rider” came on the radio, and I was instantly transported to 2007, staying up late to watch The George Lopez Show.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.