Nate Diaz Moving to 170, Draws Rory Markham at UFC 111 in Newark
by Scott Haber on Jan 18, 2010 11:35 PM EST
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As he hinted after suffering a split decision loss to Gray Maynard at UFN 20 earlier this month, it looks like Nate Diaz (6-3 UFC) will indeed make move up to the welterweight division. Diaz's first test at 170 lbs will come against Miletich-trained striker Rory Markham (1-1 UFC) who hasn't seen action in over a year due to nagging injuries which also forced him out of a UFC 108 fight with Martin Kampmann. The report comes from MMA Junkie:
It didn't take long for Nate Diaz to get the phone call.
The Stockton, Calif.-based Diaz (11-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is expected to make his welterweight debut at UFC 111, where he could meet Rory Markham (16-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at the March 27 show, a source close to the event told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
Although a few options are being discussed, Diaz vs. Markham is considered a frontrunner of the possible matchups.
Diaz has stated that the cut to 155 is rough for him, and he'd at least like to try out 170 and possibly move between the two weight classes in the future. Although he may be biting off a bit more than he can chew, Markham will at least provide a good first test for Diaz at welterweight. Markham certainly possesses knockout power in both his hands and feet, but he lacks the wrestling of Maynard, and if Diaz gets this to the floor, he stands a good chance at submitting him. Furthermore, as someone who's had difficulties with past weight cuts as well, Markham may be at a cardio disadvantage here, so Diaz's best strategy may be to avoid the big bombs early, and drag Markham to the mat when he tires.
[UPDATE] by Anton Tabuena - With the fight against Markham not yet finalized, Diego Sanchez says he wants to fight Nate Diaz at welterweight:
YES IM GOING BACK TO WELTERWEIGHT IM LOVING MY NEW DIET...
@NateDiaz209 i agree you go robbed... i hear your going up to 170 too i would love to welcome you to welterweight lets make it happen.
[UPDATE 2] by Anton Tabuena - mmaweekly says Nate Diaz & Rory Markham have agreed to the match up:
Independent sources close to the fight confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Monday that the fight is likely to happen when the promotion returns to New Jersey... It doesn't appear that bout agreements for the fight have been issued, but sources tell MMAWeekly.com that verbal agreements are in place for the bout.
The ultra-stacked UFC 111 card now includes:
MAIN CARD -
- Georges St-Pierre vs. Dan Hardy
- Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir
- Mark Bocek vs. Jim Miller
- Martin Kampmann vs. Ben Saunders
- Ricardo Funch vs. Matthew Riddle
- Jared Hamman vs. Rodney Wallace
- Thiago Alves vs. Jon Fitch
- Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Brown
- Thomas Drwal vs. Rousimar Palhares
- Nate Diaz vs. Rory Markham
- Fabricio Camoes vs. Kurt Pellegrino
PRELIMS -
NOT YET CONFIRMED -
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Why is Matt Brown/Ricardo Almeida on the prelims?
Wonder what Luke’s thoughts are.
2010 Seahawks Goals: Master the forward pass, sack the QB, and knock Arizona off their perch.
two posts! amazing!
twitter.com/thisredengine
by Matthew Roth on Jan 18, 2010 9:40 PM EST up reply actions
Eh???
2010 Seahawks Goals: Master the forward pass, sack the QB, and knock Arizona off their perch.
by SSreporters on Jan 18, 2010 10:24 PM EST up reply actions
Okay I get it
I just couldn’t believe the first comment had no Luke/Brown posts.
2010 Seahawks Goals: Master the forward pass, sack the QB, and knock Arizona off their perch.
by SSreporters on Jan 18, 2010 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
oh i meant for a luke/matt brown joke…
twitter.com/thisredengine
by Matthew Roth on Jan 18, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
srsly
"He will lie between resentment and regret. He shed his grace. As certain as a snake sheds its skin. Laid waste to a wealth of talent--his curse being blessed with treasures that just were not gold enough"
by ProfessorBLove on Jan 18, 2010 9:50 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe Brown vs Almeida will be on Spike
I really want to see Brown vs Almeida. Also, it is somewhat unusual that they are not on the main card because both of their previous fights were on the main card, and they both won their respective bouts (Brown beat Wilks, and Almeida beat Grove). It just goes to show how stacked this card is.
Almeida is one of a few fighters that I can see breaking the top ten in Welterweight in the near future. There are others that I feel will be in the top ten, but not in the immediate future.
by chrisbboy82 on Jan 18, 2010 11:55 PM EST up reply actions
The bout order isn't even set yet guys...
calm down. This is just the order they happened to be listed in. I took out the space if that was confusing anyone.
by Scott Haber on Jan 18, 2010 10:31 PM EST up reply actions
Alright thanks.
UFC’s official website has Miller/Bocek on the main card along with Kampmann/Saunders so with Alves/Fitch being the 5th fight it’s safe to say the remaining fights will be on the prelims.
2010 Seahawks Goals: Master the forward pass, sack the QB, and knock Arizona off their perch.
by SSreporters on Jan 18, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
hahaha
what about moving rashad v rampage to this card?
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Jan 19, 2010 6:29 AM EST up reply actions
Nick Diaz took a little while to really start coming into his own, and he also has looked really good at 170 and 185 recently, maybe Nate will be the same way. He definitely has the frame to add the weight and fight there.
I would have to say that Brown v Almedia and Diaz v Markham would be the spike fights, but I would also love to see the Pelligrino v Carmones, or Palhares v Drwal fight. This is an awesome card from top to bottom.
Perhaps Rory may suffer cardio from the cut, but I think the bigger issue here (literally) is whether Nate Diaz’s frame is up to the competition at 170. I think Diaz probably wins this fight, but I do think he’s a beast at 170 cause of his reach and length, but that he might not enjoy those same advantages at welter and could get bullied around the Octagon by a 170 pounder who cuts from 185.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
Even though I am not a fan of Nate Diaz, I do think that moving to Welterweight is where he should go. He has a tall lanky frame, and when he fights at Lightweight, he looks super-skinny and dehydrated. I don’t know how much success he’ll find at Welterweight as opposed to Lightweight (where he was on the cusp of title contention but couldn’t quite breat through the top), but maybe he’ll do better in Welterweight.
since both are moving to WW, yes, it's a good fight..
I would’ve wanted Diego to fight Kenny first at LW though.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 18, 2010 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
exactly…diego’s top game is just waaaay too strong…he’s not gonna sub you from his guard but he can sure control position when he’s on top
twitter.com/thisredengine
by Matthew Roth on Jan 18, 2010 10:23 PM EST up reply actions
don't wanna be greedy
but PLEASE put that together
Bad fight for Nate.
You have to be the man... you have to be very, like, alpha male with her. You know? Decide what you do and everything. So, show her who's the boss, you know? - GSP
That tweet made it sound like those two are/were friends or at least acquaintances.
by chrisbboy82 on Jan 18, 2010 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
Diego fought his brother
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Jan 19, 2010 6:31 AM EST up reply actions
Prediction for Nate at WW:
Diaz Brother + Wrestler = Decision Loss
Keep firing Assholes!
Mind numbing, tedious and ultimately self defeating.
So we can expect a Diaz family reunion in Strikeforce around August?
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
Not if the Nightmare gets his way.
Keep firing Assholes!
Mind numbing, tedious and ultimately self defeating.
I hope he does get his way cause I think it's a good fight..
but I doubt it.. Maybe it could happen for Diaz’s second WW fight… I’m still bummed I won’t see Diego vs Kenny though.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 18, 2010 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
If it’s Markham, Diaz will get smoked. 2-1/2 months is not enough time to put on enough muscle to compete in the 170 division against a dangerous guy like Markham unless he gets into Overeem’s gummy berry juice.
Keep firing Assholes!
Mind numbing, tedious and ultimately self defeating.
Diaz said he would balloon to around 190 pounds after the fight but said moving to welterweight would not necessarily make him a bigger fighter.
Doubt he gets smoked by Markham. He’ll be just a bit bigger from his last fight, but he won’t be as drained… He will still have a huge reach advantage though..
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 18, 2010 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
And I have a feeling that he will get his way.
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
I hope so..
that’s a much much bigger fight for both guys, than one against Markham.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 18, 2010 11:24 PM EST up reply actions
No
Two guys debuting at a new weight class from another is like a catch-weight fight— there’s no point.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
by Blackout612 on Jan 19, 2010 12:56 AM EST up reply actions
so a win over Rory Markham is bigger than a win over Diego Sanchez?
and Diego isn’t debuting, he’s returning to WW where he was top 10 before.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 19, 2010 1:03 AM EST up reply actions
Seriously? It's the same thing
It’s not about doing it for the first time, it’s about how your body takes to it. That says nothing of Diego having been a WW before. He’s not going to regain his last ranking there just because he’s returning. And who cares what’s bigger? Diaz isn’t exactly on a tear and looking to solidify his place in the title picture.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Do you really think people will care more about Nate winning against Rory than Diego?
whatever weight class they fight, a win over Diego >>>> a win over Markham.
neither of those wins are guaranteed of course, but Nate fighting Diego is a much much bigger fight than him fighting Markham.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 19, 2010 1:26 AM EST up reply actions
Jon Jones fighting Machida is a bigger fight than Vera. Couture fighting Mir is bigger than Coleman. GSP fighting Anderson Silva is bigger than Hardy. We can do this all night. Bigger doesn’t always necessitate match making, particularly with a guy that’s lost three of his last four fights and is just moving to a new weight class.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Now I don't get what you're trying to argue...
there are two possible scenarios in the post above, and all I was saying is that the bigger fight would be Diego vs Nate…
all those stuff you are saying are irrelevant, and unrelated to the topic.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 19, 2010 1:42 AM EST up reply actions
You’re really reaching, weo. My points are abundantly clear. You’re suggesting that the big fight is the way to go and that is what is truly irrelevant.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
How am I reaching?
I said earlier that I want to see him against Diego than Markham. how am I being irrelevant when that is the main point of what we were talking about when you butted in?
So what really is your point? Diego vs Nate is bad matchmaking? why? cause you think Diaz will lose?
He probably will have the odds stacked against him, especially if diego doesn’t want to strike with him, but that doesn’t mean it’s a better, bigger and more entertaining fight for most fans… You’ve got Nate trying to avenge his brother’s loss against a big named guy, versus nate fighting a no named guy.. hmm I wonder what fans would prefer.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 19, 2010 2:05 AM EST up reply actions
Butted in?
I’m done with you.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
cmon blackout don't be all sensitive with me, you know what I mean. haha.
*When you joined the conversation *
don’t stop pooping out rainbows just cause we don’t agree with each other on this one! haha. :)
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 19, 2010 2:38 AM EST up reply actions
and it isn't bad match making at all..
Nate wouldn’t have to face a big WW, instead he’s facing a guy who’s shorter than him.. bigger name, relatively same size (even smaller than him I think), and both will still be acclimated to fighting at 170..
Diego would be the favorite, but it would still be a good competitive fight for both guys.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 19, 2010 1:44 AM EST up reply actions
Now you're suggesting the two fights have comparable difficulty levels?
Diego would steal Diaz’s lunch money. Markham could get subbed. Pretty black and white from where I’m sitting.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
He probably would.
Then he’d be the first man to beat both Diaz brothers. Sick.
Then if/when Shields comes to the UFC and returns to WW, he gets Diego as a welcoming fight / team mate revenge fight. Added angle: Caesar Gracie’s best MMA fighter vs. Saulo Ribeiro’s best MMA fighter. Fuck yes I’ll watch that.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
there's a lot of angles actually,
Diaz vs Diego is a very easy fight to market to people… Both are going up from lightweight, where they were apparently “drained” from cutting weight, both are recognized names and TUF winners, and Diego already has a win over his brother.
and yes, I would love to see Shields vs Diego.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 19, 2010 2:09 AM EST up reply actions
No TUF winner has been dropped by the UFC. Yet.
You have to be the man... you have to be very, like, alpha male with her. You know? Decide what you do and everything. So, show her who's the boss, you know? - GSP
well that was a comeback thing, so I'm not sure if that counts.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 18, 2010 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
id rather see him vs rory macdonald
macdonalds 20 and looks really good throw him in against a legit fighter right off the bat and see how he does
Guymon is a legit fighter..
but yes I get what you mean, and that would be a good fight.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 18, 2010 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
Just remember, Nate...
Don’t waste your money on creatine or protein powders, you can build muscle and look great by discovering Hollywood’s miracle supplement!!!
by casey manrique on Jan 18, 2010 11:58 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
How the hell is that guy going to make 170? He will need to drink some serious beefcake shakes.
"If your going to come on then come on!" - Harold Howard
Diaz said he would balloon to around 190 pounds after the fight but said moving to welterweight would not necessarily make him a bigger fighter.
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 19, 2010 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
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