UFC Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale Results Joe Stevenson Dominates Nate Diaz for Unanimous Decision

by Kid Nate on Jun 20, 2009 9:36 PM EDT in MMA Events

Joe "Daddy" Stevenson dominated Nick Diaz in route to a unanimous decision win over Nate Diaz.

The two former TUF winners met in the opening fight of SPIKE TV's The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 Finale, season 2's Joe Stevenson and season 5's Nate Diaz.

Stevenson came out offering to touch gloves, but Diaz refused. Stevenson responded with a quick double leg take-down and then fended off a dangerous guillotine attempt from Diaz. Stevenson soon threatened with a guillotine of his own. Both expert grapplers threatened with multiple submissions throughout the first frame, but Stevenson consistently dominated position.

In the second, Stevenson again shot for a quick takedown, only to fall into another guillotine which he soon escaped to dominant position. When Diaz went for a standing kimura, Stevenson quickly rolled Diaz to the ground and landed in side control. From there he worked ground and pound, racking up points while evading Diaz' submission attempts.

In the third round, Diaz again came out looking to box, but Stevenson quickly forced a wrestling match, pressuring Diaz into the fence and fighting for takedowns. Diaz reversed positions with a nifty throw and found himself in Stevenson's guard. Diaz threatened a guillotine and a rear naked choke in the ensuing ground exchange, but Stevenson escaped and reestablished dominant position, kneeing Diaz against the fence. This prompted some audible trash talk from Diaz but failed to get him out of his bind. With one minute left, they finally began fighting at a distance with Diaz attampting judo tosses and Stevenson still shooting for Diaz' legs. Diaz finally consented to a handshake after the buzzer rang.

Both fighters came into the bout off of losses. Diaz dropped a decision to Clay Guida at UFC 94. Stevenson came off a three fight losing streak to champion B.J. Penn, #1 contender Kenny Florian, and top star Diego Sanchez. Despite the incredible caliber of his opponents, Stevenson had to fear being cut by the UFC with another loss. A new Joe Stevenson appeared tonight, apparently having dramatically improved his game while training with the legendary Greg Jackson camp in New Mexico.

The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale coverage

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Joe looked good tonight. It seems Nate Diaz doesn’t handle being pushed. Guida really pushed the action and gave him troubles as well. Once again Jackson MMA pulls it out.

by fightfan942 on Jun 20, 2009 9:42 PM EDT reply actions

Joe fought Tibau after Penn and got a W. He had lost 3 of his last 4, right?

by mjw2e on Jun 20, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

JOE DADDY!!!!!

I’m so glad he won :) This was a must win fight for him. Glad he pulled through. He needs to train at Jackson’s all the time now. Hopefully he doesn’t go back to his own gym.

by cauliflower_ears on Jun 21, 2009 12:05 AM EDT reply actions

ugh what a boring fight

I have never hated Joe Stevenson more than i do right now, I need to see the compu strikes for this fight, he threw like 10 punches. Other than that one guillotine (which Nate basically gave him) he didn’t try and finish the fight once. I shudder at the thought of Guida V Stevenson, battle of the lay and prayers. At least Diaz tried to make it a fight

by Crookswood on Jun 21, 2009 12:27 AM EDT reply actions

Stevenson was under a lot of pressure. If he had lost, he could have very well been cut. He is not a boring fighter. This fight was make or break. Nate is dangerous opponent and if Stevenson didn’t take the cautious approach, this could very well have been his last fight in the ufc for now.

by cauliflower_ears on Jun 21, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions