UFC 196 free fight: Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi full fight video

Before Nate Diaz fights Conor McGregor in the UFC 196 main event, watch him dispatch and armbar Japanese MMA legend Takanori Gomi in today’s free fight video.

It’s easy to look back at Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi as a no-brainer win for Nate, but heading into this matchup at UFC 135 on September 24th, 2011, the opening betting lines had both men available at -120 (it did close at -250 in Diaz’s favor). Diaz was coming off back-to-back losses at welterweight to Dong Hyun Kim and Rory MacDonald, while “The Fireball Kid” suffered a guillotine choke loss to Clay Guida.

Of course, PRIDE NEVER DIE and all that, there were a select few who thought Gomi was going to beat Nate. They were very wrong. Diaz thoroughly outstruck a hapless Gomi for almost the entire round before Diaz went from an armbar, a triangle choke, then another armbar, at which point Gomi tapped at 4:27.

You can watch the full video of this fight at the top of the page.

Here’s Brent Brookhouse’s play-by-play of the whole fight:

Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi – Round 1 – Diaz flips out the jab early. Punch from Diaz hurts Gomi and another one lands. Gomi is sticking his head down and flailing with the hook but it just isn’t getting there. Diaz is jus popping him a bit. Body shot by Gomi, now a right hook by Diaz that lands hard to the head of Gomi. Diaz just popping away with his punches and Gomi just looks slow and ineffective. Diaz continuing to hurt Gomi and this is just not good. Gomi with a takedown but Diaz tries to get his back and they’re back to standing and Diaz is landing at will here. Takedown by Gomi again and Diaz transitions to an armbar, now a triangle. Gomi trying to slam his way out. Transition back to armbar by Diaz and that’ll do it as Gomi taps. Nate Diaz wins by submission (armbar), round 1.

And the Bloody Elbow community’s reaction to Diaz’s easy win over Gomi:

Diaz will return to welterweight for a short-notice main event vs. featherweight champion Conor McGregor in the UFC 196 main event on Saturday, March 5th.