UFC on Fox 7 featured a compelling lightweight bout between contenders Josh Thomson and Nate Diaz. Thomson was coming into this fight from the Strikeforce promotion, where he put on some wars with Gilbert Melendez.
Tonight’s fight proved that Thomson has what it takes to compete on the biggest stage, as he stopped Diaz in the second round.
In the first, both fighters looked to establish their rhythm, and Thomson was looking to strike from the outside against Diaz with leg kicks. Diaz landed some good combinations of his own, and kept Thomson moving backwards. The second started out much like the first until Thomson landed a devastating head kick to Diaz, knocking him down to the canvas where Thomson swarmed until he got the finish.
This was Thomson’s biggest win under the UFC promotion, as Diaz was a former No. 1 contender in the lightweight division. Now 20-5-1 in his fighting career, he has the chance to become a champion in one of the UFC’s most competitive division. Tonight’s fight showcased a patient Thomson who proved he can end the fight with one strike.
For Diaz, he is more than likely moving up to the welterweight division as his training partner Gilbert Melendez is one of the top contenders at lightweight. For Thomson, he will move up the rankings and get a top contender for his next bout. Maybe the loser of the Ben Henderson vs. Melendez bout will be his next opponent.
Regardless of who he faces, Thomson is finally putting everything together at the perfect time, and is the only fighter to ever finish Diaz in the UFC.
