*** HIGHLIGHTS! Watch Lawler Stop Diaz Right Here! ***
Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler are collided a second time tonight (Sat., Sept. 25, 2021) in a five-round, main card Middleweight clash from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, at UFC 266. It’s been 17 years since the first bout between these two martial arts legends, and a little over five years since Diaz last made the walk to the Octagon. Despite some last-second weigh-in shenanigans, there was major hype surrounding this match up, which promised to provide both action and nostalgia. After all, neither Diaz nor Lawler are known for boring fights, yet no one could really know what to expect from these veterans at this stage of their careers.
Strap in for the people’s main event and follow along below for live updates and highlight clips:
Round One
Diaz opens with a wild spin kick and takedown attempt, which see him eat some knees and heavy punches. Lawler is going after him immediately! Diaz fires a check hook. Things have settled a bit, but Lawler is still right in Diaz’s face. Body shot from Diaz, who then takes a punch upstairs. Left hand partially connects for Diaz. Now a two-piece combination and a body shot. Lawler rips the lead leg, lands a left. The two trade in the clinch. Counter body shot by Lawler, then a hard left to the chin. Lawler’s hand are looking fast! Lawler rips the calf again, but Diaz puts together a good combination in response. Diaz is throwing CLASSIC Diaz combinations, targeting the body with hooks really well. Both men landing well. Back and forth combinations. Lawler puts a hard combination together with Diaz’s back to the fence, but he fires right back. Insane volume through the first five minutes! Excellent round, and I have no idea who won it.
Early action right from the gates!!
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— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
Both getting into their rhythm
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— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
Round Two
The two return to exchanging immediately, and Lawler lands big with some hooks and a knee. Diaz immediately answer with a hard combination of his own, but a body kick backs him off. Diaz puts together some good punches with his back to the fence. Diaz landing well as Lawler looks for his openings. Lots of half-speed punches from each man. Lawler returns to the left kick to the liver. Diaz lands hard with a body shot-overhand combination. Lawler turns it up, lands a good series of punches of his own. Uppercut connects for “Ruthless.” Lawler really finding his range and doing well in the second half of the round. Hard left to the body from Lawler, who is matching Diaz’s volume and pushing him backwards. Another close one, but this one goes to the former UFC champion. 10-9 Lawler
Round Three
Diaz rips a trio of body shots to open the third. Lawler immediately returns the favor! Out of nowhere, a right hand from Lawler drops Diaz! Diaz is badly hurt and does not return to his feet when Lawler prompts him, resulting in the stoppage. Wow!
Lawler walkin’ him down @Ruthless_RL
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— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
Result: Robbie Lawler defeats Nick Diaz via third-round knockout — WATCH HIGHLIGHTS!
For complete UFC 266: “Volkanovski vs. Ortega” results and play-by-play, click HERE!