UFC 262 was when we were supposed to get Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards, but the UFC did a little shuffle of the schedule — pushing Edwards and Diaz to UFC 263 instead. And thankfully keeping it a five-round fight.
We may not have seen Nate Diaz since 2019, but every MMA fan knows that Nate always shows up for big time fights. Diaz had everything to gain by taking a fight with a red hot surging Leon Edwards, who was on an eight-fight winning streak to start the night. A win over Edwards would toss a wrench in the works of the welterweight division and could turn everything (ranking wise) upside down.
Leon Edwards no doubt knew what was on the line in taking a fight with Nate Diaz. A loss would shatter everything he had worked so hard for, but with a win over the fan favourite Diaz, a title shot could be on the horizon.
Some might confuse this as a main event fight, and were it not a PPV, it very well could have been – just the buzz and energy it gave from the Glendale, Arizona crowd made it stand out. Fans were not shy on who they were behind as soon as Leon Edwards and Nate Diaz made their walk to the octagon, clearly in full support for Diaz. But as the fight got underway, Diaz was quickly down. Edwards sliced Diaz up with some power elbows during the third round. Though there was a late scare in the fifth round, and a near-finish from Diaz, Leon Edwards held on to get the unanimous decision.
PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE
Check out the pros’ reactions to the welterweight fight between Leon Edwards and Nate Diaz.
Wow I think Leon just lost the title shot to Colby just cause how the fight ended 🤷🏾♂️ #UFC263
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) June 13, 2021
Wowwww. Heart skipping beats that last minute #UFC263
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) June 13, 2021
HE HAD HIM SHOOOOK . #UFC263
— BriannaTheBull (@briannathebull) June 13, 2021
I’m so happy that was 5 rounds! #UFC263
— Mallory Martin (@MalloryyMartin) June 13, 2021
And once again Nate Diaz shows up and even after losing a fight his stock rises. That flurry is all that’ll be talked about! It’s about memories /land Diaz leaves people with memories. #ufc263
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 13, 2021
😳😳😳 #UFC263
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) June 13, 2021
Mannn Nate Diaz is fun to watch bet he’s fun to fight too 😎 #UFC263
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) June 13, 2021
What a WAR 🔥🔥🔥
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 13, 2021
There’s no feints from Nate Diaz rn. It’s making it easy for Edwards to keep his eyes peeled open to see every clear attack Diaz is throwing. #UFC263
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 13, 2021
THIS IS CRAZY!! #UFC263
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 13, 2021
What an insane last 60sec of a fight!!! Diaz almost capitalized at the end but Edwards with a phenomenal performance and showed so much heart!
Gotta think he gets a title shot now being on a 9 fight W streak! #UFC263
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) June 13, 2021
Gaaaaaah I’m missing everything 😫😫😫 Diaz is such a fucking g https://t.co/3KpHxinGxe
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) June 13, 2021
