How good are the Diaz brothers?

[BoomStronk]

Both were elite in their prime. You can’t fight for a title without being elite or make it to the top of the sport

Sigh... if only that was really the case

 

[ChimRichalds]

Nick was great for a stretch, Nate was extremely good. Head to head I would give Nick the advantage due to his boxing being quite a bit better than Nate's. They were both entertaining as all hell though, even if I've never really cared for their personalities outside the cage.

 

[XociDe]

Nick was a legitimately good fighter. He could mix it with the best of his era.

Nate was always very sloppy but got by on endurance, toughness and ability to snatch a sub. He definitely had high level skills, just nothing outstanding.

I use past tense because they're both washed now.

 

[DOMMA]

Both brothers have similar styles:

Strengths:
Cardio
Chin
Heart
Jujitsu
Boxing

Average:
Athleticism
Speed / Reflexes

Weakness:
Wrestling
TD Defense
Strength
Muay Thai

The weaknesses kept both brothers from making it to the top. Similar skillset as Jorge Masvidal. Both were dominated by strong wrestlers, even in their prime.

 

[Rio Ferdinand]

gatekeepers at best.

 

[Sincere Guy]

Pretty good fighters actually and bring heat to the sport. Funny guys also. I mean, better than Conor that to be funny he needs to be disrespectful sometimes, much worse Chael who needed to be disrespectful every single time to be notorious.

More Diaz brothers and less Conors and Sonnens would be nice. UFC and USADA tried to fuck up with Nick for free, they lost money for sure. The man was incredibly good, fun to watch and funny and sincere in interviews. Bad decision.

 

[AmonTobin]

Nick is still one of my favourites to this day, that’s how good I think he is. Nate did quite well. Being Nick’s brother and fighting in the identical style opened promotional doors for him. Asking me who would win is down right blasphemous. They’re the Diaz Bros ffs!

 

[Canadian Kicker]

Both had very good striking and BJJ skills paired with Elite cardio/heart.

If a fighter was missing any of the three above the Diaz boys had a good chance to win.
They would outstrike a lot of guys with mediocre striking
They would submit a lot of guys with a mediocre ground game
They have also both fought a number of very well rounded guys that they were able to outpace until their cardio broke.

 

[Aluminati]

If Nick could have evolved past his hate for high school wrestler jocks, I believe he could have been UFC champion. He was still must see TV either way. Legend of the sport.

Nate beat the sports biggest star and got paid. He's now on his way to cash in on a massive payday against Jake Paul. Mission accomplished.

 

[Thick_Strong_Tight]

How good were the Diaz brothers? Are they considered elite fighters in your eyes? Who would win in a fight between them?

They're in the camp of an Arturo Gatti; fan favorites but not great really. Both pretty good BJJ, and both had good conditioning and exploited it to win in some striking exchanges, especially later in fights. Both lacked any strength or any ability to wrestle, Nate even moreso though he may actually have had the better record technically.

 

[GoshiShun17]

Journeymen with cult followings neither could stop a takedown against any credible wrestler. ​

I don't know exactly why, but this post hurt my feelings a bit. I guess truth does hurt.

 

[GoshiShun17]

Nick handled Gleison Tibau much better than Khabib did, that's for sure

Lol that wasn't necessary

 

[smart.feller]

Good fighters, but not great. They both lost to the guys they were supposed to, but sometimes lost to the guys that they should have handled easily based on their skill level (KJ Noons, Joe Riggs, Josh Thompson, Clay Guida, etc.)

 

[pankrat]

Lol that wasn't necessary

It was trolling

I don't know exactly why, but this post hurt my feelings a bit. I guess truth does hurt.

But if you actually think Nick was a journeyman, its pretty embarrassing to be so clueless while being active in a mma forum

Btw, who did beat Nick by exploiting his TDD apart from GSP?

 

[BJJ4Tone]

Journeymen with cult followings neither could stop a takedown against any credible wrestler. ​

Both have wins they shouldn't have and losses they shouldn't have. Super inconsistent.

 

[GoshiShun17]

It was trolling



But if you actually think Nick was a journeyman, its pretty embarrassing to be so clueless while being active in a mma forum

Not the Journeymen part. Just the overall knock on their wrestling.

 

[pankrat]

Not the Journeymen part. Just the overall knock on their wrestling.

Cool.

Who did exploit such a weak aspect of his game to beat Nick, other than GSP?

 

[GoshiShun17]

Cool.

Who did exploit such a weak aspect of his game to beat Nick, other than GSP?

He has at least another two or more losses, even if controversial, due to being taken down.

Sanchez, Kyro I believe off the top.

And then Nate has a few as well

 

[pankrat]

He has at least another two or more losses, even if controversial, due to being taken down.

Sanchez, Kyro I believe off the top.

And then Nate has a few as well

You referenced a couple of highly controversial decs vs before he was even 22 years old. Then GSP. Thats all.

Myths and simpleton takes are parroted ad nauseum around here

Nick had several shortcomings, involving kicks or TDs of his own. To go in there and just try to outwrestle him was far from an easy task for anybody not named GSP, unless what the typical shertard like that you replied initially would tell you

 

[chimpoehurricane]

How good were the Diaz brothers? Are they considered elite fighters in your eyes? Who would win in a fight between them?

Good as in fighting or smarter?