True or False: Nate Diaz is the Best Boxer In the LW Division (POLL)

[Arkridge]

What do you guys think? Speaking purely from a boxing standpoint, not overall striking. Is Nate the best pure boxer in the LW division?

 

[ThePatriot]

I'd say so

 

[Ar145984]

The LW division is stacked, it's hard to say. From a purely boxing sense, it seems when a person tries to box with Nate, they rarely beat him in the long run. He is great at distance control, pacing himself, has great conditioning and a good chin. Like Conor, I would like to see Nate face opponents with more reach than him. His fights at WW (rory, etc) showed the difference in strength but I wonder what happens in terms of reach. He fought with guys with similar reach at LW, but they tend to be grapplers too (Like DHK)


Regarding LW though I think his boxing is certainly up there, take away TD threats or hard kickers and he usually does very well.

 

[VAfan]

I'd go with yes, especially after last night. not great power but he's incredibly accurate. combine that with an endless gastank and you've got a dangerous dude.

 

[Arkridge]

I'd go with yes, especially after last night. not great power but he's incredibly accurate. combine that with an endless gastank and you've got a dangerous dude.

His accuracy means more than the power imo. He connects right on the button with so many shots. Guys can only eat so many. That, and Diaz is great at making guys gas. When your face is getting peppered like that, it's incredibly difficult to remember your breathing.

 

[Forever Young]

We've never seen him in a boxing match so I don't think we can say either way.

Is he the best MMA puncher in the LW division? Yes I think so.

But MMA Punching is very different from boxing, and you can't directly compare the two.

 

[$uicideboy$]

well andre ward calls him when he needs a southpaw sparring partner

 

[Werdun]

Id say boxing yes. Striking no. But its still usually very bad idea to stand and trade with this guy, even when you are "better" or atleast more well rounded striker like cowboy. I cant believe that conor thought he could stand and trade with a diaz...

 

[Arkridge]

well andre ward calls him when he needs a southpaw sparring partner

That speaks volumes if you ask me.

 

[Quantum Jake]

ward told me he could hang with the pro boxers at his weight

 

[IWANTTOTRAINUFC]

IDK. He's up there for sure. Gil is pretty good too. Pierson imo is probably the best. Would definitely love to see Diaz/Ross

 

[Arkridge]

We've never seen him in a boxing match so I don't think we can say either way.

Is he the best MMA puncher in the LW division? Yes I think so.

But MMA Punching is very different from boxing, and you can't directly compare the two.

What is the difference between an "MMA puncher" and a boxer. Nate's boxing looks pretty damn clean and crisp to me.

 

[countswagula]

It's hard to look at those things in a vaccum. His hands were almost entirely neutered against Bendo and RDA, obviously you could make the point that the threat of the takedown and low kicks played a big part in that, but there isn't a clear line where boxing ends and other aspects of MMA begin.

 

[Woliwo]

Not sure if he is the most skilled one.
But his jabbs and straights are really impressing.

 

[waldywaldy]

By a long shot.

 

[Arkridge]

Not sure if he is the most skilled one.
But his jabbs and straights are really impressing.

His 1-2 combinations are a thing of beauty.

 

[Forever Young]

What is the difference between an "MMA puncher" and a boxer. Nate's boxing looks pretty damn clean and crisp to me.

Being in position to defend kicks, elbows, knees, takedowns, means that you have to do things differently. Or, at least it should, lol.

Plus the whole ring/cage thing. They're similar, but different. Boxing skills of course help in MMA, and Nate has proven that he has those skills aplenty. But, shit, Conner did too lol. To be truly successful at punching in MMA, you have to be employing the skills that are germane to that endeavor.

I mean shit, can you even stockton slap someone in 12 oz?

 

[DCarf]

IDK. He's up there for sure. Gil is pretty good too. Pierson imo is probably the best. Would definitely love to see Diaz/Ross

Diaz would crush Pearson, Pearson got stanky leghed by Cole Miller. I do enjoy Pearson's fights but Nate is a nightmare matchup for Ross

 

[Arkridge]

Being in position to defend kicks, elbows, knees, takedowns, means that you have to do things differently. Or, at least it should, lol.

Plus the whole ring/cage thing. They're similar, but different. Boxing skills of course help in MMA, and Nate has proven that he has those skills aplenty. But, shit, Conner did too lol. To be truly successful at punching in MMA, you have to be employing the skills that are germane to that endeavor.

I mean shit, can you even stockton slap someone in 12 oz?

I mean, you can turn your glove oveer in a slap position. I guess that's...almost the same thing? Lmao

 

[BJJesus]

I think Giblerts is a little better but not by much. Nate does have great hands probably top 3 at LW. The only bad part of his boxing game is he is too heavy on his lead leg and is open to leg kicks. RDA showed us that but he has started checking them.