EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Nick Diaz was supposed to be the first brother to earn a shot at UFC gold, but instead, it might be younger brother Nate Diaz getting thrust into a shot at the championship.
The Stockton, Calif. native came into Jim Miller’s home state and overwhelmed him, leading to a second-round guillotine submission win at UFC on FOX 3. It was the first time in Miller’s career he has been stopped, as all of his previous losses have come via decision.
The victory sends Diaz surging up the lightweight ladder, and potentially in line to fight the Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar winner.
Miller didn’t get off to a bad start.
In fact, the first round trended his way early, as he punched his way into the clinch and worked to the body while holding Diaz against the fence. That was the early trend, which Diaz finally bucked when he scored a smashing left hand that sent Miller down. Miller recovered quickly but it was clearly the best punch of the round.
But early in the second, it was clear that Diaz had found his rhythm, as he started taunting Miller and inviting him in. Miller didn’t shy away from contact, once running in with a flying knee, but Diaz was in control from that point forward, scoring with left hands and knees to the body.
The end came when Miller went low for a takedown. Diaz wrapped his hand around Miller’s neck, and Miller tried a trip takedown, but Diaz sunk in the guillotine and they ended up on the ground. Diaz ended up with the choke mounted, and Miller had no choice but to tap out.
“He had my number,” Miller said. “Nate is a tough guy. I knew it was going to be a tough fight coming in. He was landing strikes and hurting me.”
It was clearly the biggest win of Diaz’s career. Before the fight, UFC president Dana White had said that a victory could put him in line for a lightweight title shot.
“I’m trying to be No. 1 in this world,” Diaz said.
He may have to wait for a while to get a shot at the belt though. Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson have to settle their newfound rivalry first, and Anthony Pettis may also have something to say about Diaz jumping him in line.
The win — his third straight in the UFC — made Diaz 16-7.
Miller fell to 21-4.