liontruth
White Belt
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- Mar 7, 2016
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Top 5 reasons why Connor Lost and Diaz Won
Why Connor Lost
1. Sense of obligation to knock Diaz out in Round 1.
2. He put too much faith in his left
3. He did too many flashy kicks against a serious opponent.
4. He underestimated Diaz's chin
5. He did not pursue technical /safe game plan
Why Diaz Won
1. Better Boxing Skills
2. Fight on Only 10 days notice (bad idea to choose nate)
3. Psychological Warfare and Pressure (didn't affect nate)
4. Experience Level and Zen in cage
5. He is perpetually in amazing shape
Top 5 Reasons why Connor lost
1. Sense of obligation to knock Diaz out in Round 1.
It may have been to back his word to the media and fans, perhaps fulfill a bet on himself, or to maintain reputation for a spectacular finish.
2. He put too much faith in his left.
His left is a great weapon but should not be invested in with all marbles. He may have did this for reason 1, or also because he knew he should not grapple with Diaz or box in pocket for long.
3. He did too many flashy kicks
- and moves focusing too much on his reputation and image as a businessman, and less as a focused fighter. He invested in this in order to improve his brand although I cautioned against this when I saw him showing off and talking about wheel kicks because Diaz is a long endurance fighter, not a short twitch muscle/sprint fighter. You blow your wad against Diaz and he will begin to pepper and turn it on.
4. He underestimated Diaz’s chin.
This also may be due to Reason 2 or a combination of both. Diaz brothers are of same genetics. They have rarely ever been knocked down and the key analytic is that when they do, they still come back pushing pace. Other fighters lose alot of energy being hit but not Diaz bros. Connor it had the opposite effect, he was not Zen in there, and exerted all of his energy too early not considering rounds 3,4 and 5.
5. He did not pursue technical /safe game plan
This reason also makes me respect Connor a whole bunch. He has courage and made an exciting fight. We didn't see any Diaz counter style and instead came to just fight. To his credit he came to fight like Diaz did. Similar approach. He did not come to play the sport. Fighters like Condit and GSP come to win the sport. Diaz Bros come to fight. Coming to win would mean leg kicks Round 1 and 2 or 3 and conserving , counters and movement, then assault on round 3 4 and 5. Diaz will not gas out, but if you don’t have superior wrestling which Connor does not, then you better slow him down by chopping those lead legs. He respected Diaz Bros too much to do this route imo, and did not want to try to win this way.
Top 5 Reasons why Diaz Won
1. Superior Boxing Skills
Anyone who knows boxing can see that Nate has better boxing and displayed better boxing during the fight. Connor was throwing wild punches trying to get in on the inside relying on his overhand and looping left. Diaz is a disciplined seasoned boxer that is technical, he's not looking for knockouts. This fight aside Connor actually has good crisp boxing, and superior movement better than all of the featherweights and probably most light weights, and while his movement is better, his boxing is but not on par with Nate imo.
2. He was called 10 days notice to fight (bad idea)
Nate was one of the most dangerous opponents you could call for a short notice fight. You have to consider, if you're going to call any other fighter out for 10 days notice, who more prepared mentally and physically than Diaz Bro's? You have to look back at the history to understand. Nick and Nate have a long history with the UFC of being called on short notice fights for their whole careers. Nick used to talk about it back in the day all the time. Nate has fought injured on short notice on several occasions. This was "shocking" to as mainstream media/fans but just another fight for Nate. He's been there and he knows pressure.
3. Psychological Warfare and Pressure (did not affect nate)
Mounting pressure such as 10 days to fight, one of the biggest ppv in UFC history, fighting its biggest names, and a whole load of expert mind games and psychological warfare at the hands of the one of the best mind players in the business Connor Mcgregor? Hold up guys for one freaking moment. Did you forget - Nate's bigger brother is Nick Diaz. Nick f'ing Diaz. You realize what this means right? He grew up with this guy. Do any of you have a bigger brother/little brother? Bigger brothers know what its like. We know we beat the shit out of our little brothers growing up to make them tougher because we love them. Connor was shit talking with one of the mentally toughest kids in the business. Someone who has been through struggle and always been the underdog. Perpetual underdogs get stronger and better when the pressure is on. Nate didnt mentally flinch even one moment through the entire 10 day mental warfare jam packed media bonanza. By Connor not being able to invade Nate Diaz's head, it messed with his own head in the process. Hence, one - being highly entertained by Nates behavior in interviews. (A form of praise) Two, Punching Nates hand during stare down because he couldnt keep his composure when he realized he was losing the staredown. Finally Three, flinching during the weigh in, which was probably just reaction but definitely bothered Connor later since hes such a prideful guy
4. Experience Level
Nate has fought more guys in the UFC and better fighters. Even all Connor fans will agree that Nates line up is superior based on amount and combined skill level. There are things you learn in the heat of the moment in the final hour that you can never quite train for. Connor's mat time outside from training was not on par with Nate's regardless of his win/loss ratio.
5. He is perpetually in amazing shape
A 10 day notice will not stop this guy from being in great shape. Not getting a camp or given proper notice can limit his ability and skill level potential, but it isnt slowing Diaz's cardio. He will not gas or crumble. He is physically prepared for a fight because he trains all of the time. Yeah its a maybe true he was "chillaxing" in cabo as he mentioned with food poisoning. Regardless, if you call him skinny, fat, gazelle or whatever - the Diaz bros are best endurance athletes in the business hands down.
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