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Tactical Advantages: Diaz vs. Condit

Category: Mixed Martial Arts

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For a while there it seemed like we were on a never ending rollercoaster among the top fighters in the Welterweight division. “Who’s fighting who and when” is the question that we all wanted to know. Finally the question has been answered as Nick Diaz prepares to fight Carlos Condit for the interim Welterweight title at UFC 143. This fight possesses all the elements to be one of the greatest fights of the year. Who will come out on top and be the new interim Welterweight Champion? Tactical Advantages breaks it down.

Nick Diaz

Nick Diaz is one of the most entertaining fighters in mixed martial arts today. His antics outside the cage are often criticized but unlike some in the sport, Diaz is 100% genuine in his attitude and behavior. Inside the cage his actions speak them self. Diaz has proven to be one of the most dangerous and unorthodox fighters not only in the UFC but in every promotion he has ever fought in. A longtime student of Cesar Gracie, Diaz trains daily with fighters like Gilbert Melendez, Jake Shield and of course his brother Nate. His current professional record is 27-7-0 1NC.

Nick Diaz is perhaps best known for his unorthodox and tireless striking. His seventy six inch reach allows for him to pepper his opponents with punches at what seems to be an endless rate. His ability to mix up his head and body shots leave many opponents confused as to how to defend against him. Training with boxers such as Luisito Espinosa, Andre Ward and Jason Robinson, Nick Diaz has some of the most uniquely devastating hand in the sport. Fourteen of his twenty-seven wins have come by way of (T)KO to further illustrate this point.

Opponents who have felt they are better off taking the fight to the ground enter another world of danger when fighting Nick Diaz. He is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt and is extremely dangerous off his back. Nick’s particular style of BJJ tends to be very aggressive. His long limbs make it easier for him to tie up his opponents and apply submissions, thus far awarding him eight victories. While he is an expert at submitting his opponents, Diaz has also mastered the art of avoiding submissions. In his entire career he has never been submitted.

It is quite possible no one in the sport today has conditioning equal to his. As a true athlete he regularly participates in triathlons. His regular training not only includes everything one must do to be successful in MMA but also includes marathon running, long distance swimming and mountain biking. It is probably safe to say no other fighter in the sport does all that.

As far as game plans go, Diaz will undoubtedly be happy to stand and trade with Carlos Condit. They will have an equal reach but I believe Diaz’s technical striking will give him the upper hand their. If the fight goes to the ground, it will most likely be instigated by Condit. Once again Diaz will continue to pursue transitions and submissions until Condit either taps or is unconscious.

Carlos Condit

Carlos Condit is another extremely well rounded fighter. Before coming to the UFC he was the WEC Welterweight Champion, a title he defended successfully three times before Zuffa LLC dissolved the division. Thus far in the UFC, he has fought all the top prospects at 170lbs. Condit trains at Team Jackson inAlbuquerqueNew Mexicowith some of the UFC’s elite. His professional record stands 27-5-0.

When it comes to the stand-up game Carlos Condit can do it all. His versatility in this department is vast and often overwhelming. His ability to stand and trade with opponents has proven that not only can he deliver a punch, he can take one as well. His strikes come in many forms, making him extremely unpredictable on the feet and his lack of fear about going to the ground allows him to commit fully to each and every strike. Though he is not the most technical striker, his thirteen (T)KO victories confirms it is a non issue.

Many fighters have taken Condit to the ground but few have been able to control him there. He is a purple belt in BJJ but like Diaz is very aggressive off of his back. He has great core strength which allows for some pretty impressive transitions. Though Condit has been caught in a few submissions in the past this is nothing compared to the amount of people he has submitted. (thirteen to be exact) It will be interesting to see how much time he will spend on the ground with Diaz, especially since Diaz himself has never been submitted. On the other hand Condit is precisely the kind of fighter that goes out there to challenge himself. It may be possible he will look for the submission as no one else has ever achieved this.

Weather the fight is on the feet or on the ground, one is for sure. Condit will not stop. His conditioning is some of the best in the division and a solid chin permits him to keep moving forward. It is worth noting that Condit has never been (T)KO’d inside the cage. This fight is very interesting because both fighters share similar strengths. I suspect Condit’s game plan will be much like Nick’s, go out there, impose your will and see where things lead.

By Mr.Wizzle of MrWizzle.com

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