MMA's badboy Nick Diaz (27-7-1) returns to the Octagon this Saturday night at UFC 143. Diaz faces Carlos Condit (27-5) in the main event for the UFC Interm Welterweight Title. The winner of the fight will fight Georges St-Pierre later this year when St-Pierre becomes healthy.
Nick Diaz turned pro in 2001 fighting mostly in regional promotions in California. Diaz made his UFC debut at UFC 44 in September of 2003 against Jeremy Jackson. Diaz won his first two UFC fights before losing a split decision to Karo Parisyan.
Beginning in November of 2005, Diaz went on a three fight losing steak and was cut by the UFC in 2006. After winning a local fight in Stockton, California, Diaz was called to fill in for an injured Thiago Alves at UFC 62, Diaz took advantage of the opportunity and submitted Josh Neer.
Diaz decided to leave the UFC after just two fights back. He fought in Pride, Elite XC, Dream and Strikeforce after leaving the UFC. On January 30th, 2010, Diaz won the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship with a TKO victory over Marius Zaromskis. Diaz defended his title three times before joining the UFC in 2011.
Carlos Condit was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and made his WEC debut on January 20th, 2007 against Kyle Jenson. After submitting Jenson, Condit fought for and successfully won the WEC Welterweight Title against John Alessio. Condit defended his title three times before being absolved into the UFC welterweight division in 2009.
Since losing his UFC debut to Martin Kampmann, Condit has reeled off four consecutive wins. Condit has knocked out his last three opponents including getting "Knockout of the Night" in his last two fights.
Condit was supposed to face Georges St-Pierre at UFC 137, however a knee injury pulled St-Pierre off the card and pushed the title fight back. When it was learned that St-Pierre had a torn ACL, the UFC announced that Diaz-Condit would fight for the UFC Interm Welterweight Title.
Fighter profiles below:
Nick Diaz (27-7-1)
- Key wins: BJ Penn (decision), Paul Daley (TKO), KJ Noons (decision)
- Key losses: Joe Riggs (decision), Sean Sherk (decision)
- Former Strikeforce, WEC and IFC Welterweight Champion
- Hasn't lost since 2007
- 13 wins by KO, 8 via submission
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt
- Brother Nate is UFC lightweight
- Strengths: Boxing, striking combinations, endurance
Carlos Condit (27-5)
- Key wins: Dan Hardy (TKO), Dong Hyun Kim (knockout), Rory McDonald (knockout)
- Key losses: Martin Kampmann (split decision), Jake Shields (decision)
- Former WEC Welterweight Champion
- 13 wins by submission, 12 wins by KO/TKO
- Trained by Greg Jackson
- Has won 12 of his last 13 fights
- Strengths: KO power, submissions, explosiveness
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