Ozzy Diaz
USA
Re-scheduled against Gautier
Diaz (undisclosed) is scheduled to compete against fellow middleweight Ateba Gautier at UFC 328 in Newark on May 9, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
After withdrawing from UFC 320, Diaz's next opponent waited until UFC 324 to fight a bout he subsequently won. Now that Diaz is available, he and Gautier will prepare for each other again. Diaz's last fight is a decision win over Djorden Santos at UFC 313.
After withdrawing from UFC 320, Diaz's next opponent waited until UFC 324 to fight a bout he subsequently won. Now that Diaz is available, he and Gautier will prepare for each other again. Diaz's last fight is a decision win over Djorden Santos at UFC 313.
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Won't fight at UFC 320
Diaz (undisclosed) won't fight against Ateba Gautier at UFC 320 in Las Vegas on Oct. 4, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Diaz is dealing with an unspecified medical issue and will not compete in Las Vegas. It's unclear if Gautier, who holds a professional record of 8-1-0, will stay on the card.
Diaz is dealing with an unspecified medical issue and will not compete in Las Vegas. It's unclear if Gautier, who holds a professional record of 8-1-0, will stay on the card.
Facing Gautier in October
Diaz will take on Ateba Gautier at UFC 320 in Las Vegas on October 4, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Diaz will head into the bout looking to build positive momentum coming off his recent decision victory over Djorden Santos in March, marking his first UFC victory. The 6-foot-4 American will hope to use his in-ring experience to overcome a slight disadvantage in reach compared to the younger fighter from Cameroon. With a combined 14-3 professional record in KO/TKO finishes, fireworks can certainly be expected in this one, though Diaz has shown the ability to get the job done in different ways as well (3-0 professional record in submission/decision finishes.)
Diaz will head into the bout looking to build positive momentum coming off his recent decision victory over Djorden Santos in March, marking his first UFC victory. The 6-foot-4 American will hope to use his in-ring experience to overcome a slight disadvantage in reach compared to the younger fighter from Cameroon. With a combined 14-3 professional record in KO/TKO finishes, fireworks can certainly be expected in this one, though Diaz has shown the ability to get the job done in different ways as well (3-0 professional record in submission/decision finishes.)
Picks up first UFC victory
Diaz defeated Djorden Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 313 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a nice bounce-back effort from Diaz on the heels of a first-round knockout loss to Zhang Mingyang in November. Known for neither his durability nor his cardio, Diaz managed to eat 131 significant strikes from Santos and land 135 of his own. While it would be a stretch to say he got stronger as the fight progressed, he certainly didn't tire as badly as his opponent, and that ended up being the difference. Diaz's roster spot should be secure for the next little while with the win.
It was a nice bounce-back effort from Diaz on the heels of a first-round knockout loss to Zhang Mingyang in November. Known for neither his durability nor his cardio, Diaz managed to eat 131 significant strikes from Santos and land 135 of his own. While it would be a stretch to say he got stronger as the fight progressed, he certainly didn't tire as badly as his opponent, and that ended up being the difference. Diaz's roster spot should be secure for the next little while with the win.
Santos up next
Diaz will fight Djorden Santos at UFC 313 on March 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Diaz is coming off a poor showing during his UFC debut, which resulted in a swift defeat at the hands of Zhang Mingyang. Diaz will have four inches of height and 3.5 inches of reach working in his favor against Santos, though his opponent has not lost a professional fight since 2019.
Diaz is coming off a poor showing during his UFC debut, which resulted in a swift defeat at the hands of Zhang Mingyang. Diaz will have four inches of height and 3.5 inches of reach working in his favor against Santos, though his opponent has not lost a professional fight since 2019.
Quickly finished in UFC debut
Diaz lost to Zhang Mingyang via TKO (strikes) at 2:25 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Macau, China.
ANALYSIS
Diaz has major power and significant durability issues. That's what happens when every single fight you are in is a car crash and ends almost instantly. Diaz was nearly doubled up in significant strikes by Zhang (17-9) and finished when a low kick, elbow combination found its mark. A former competitor in both LFA and Bellator, Diaz was also knocked out in his lone appearance on Dana White's Contender Series, although that came against a high-end opponent in Joe Pyfer. Diaz, already 34 years of age, would appear to be on an extremely short leash.
Diaz has major power and significant durability issues. That's what happens when every single fight you are in is a car crash and ends almost instantly. Diaz was nearly doubled up in significant strikes by Zhang (17-9) and finished when a low kick, elbow combination found its mark. A former competitor in both LFA and Bellator, Diaz was also knocked out in his lone appearance on Dana White's Contender Series, although that came against a high-end opponent in Joe Pyfer. Diaz, already 34 years of age, would appear to be on an extremely short leash.