UFC 143 had some awesome fights and one of the prospects on the card was Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson who came into the fight on a 62 fight win streak In Kickboxing and MMA and proved why everyone should be keeping an eyes on him. He clearly had the advantage over his opponent Dan Stittgen who could not get anything going against Thompson, who constantly switched stances and took Stittgen off his game. Stephen Thompson ended the fight with a flashy slapping high kick to the chin of Stittgen knocking him out 4:13 in Round 1.

Dustin Poirier showed control and a beautiful ground game against Max Holloway, he worked to get a takedown and got to full mount and Holloway tried to buck and Poirier transitioned into an armbar. Poirier had Holloway's arm fully extended and somehow gets out but Poirier's experience paid off and locks up a triangle and moves to top position. He extends the arm while the triangle is locked and Holloway must tapout. Dustin Poirier wins by submission (Mounted Triangle-armbar) 3:23 in Round 1.

Ed Herman as always fought his heart out against his opponent Clifford Starks. Clifford Starks was clearly winning the fight with his strait right hand and going into the 2nd round it was looking like Starks might take this fight when Ed Herman pulled off a great outside trip takedown and immediately goes to side control and gets mount, Starks turns and Herman takes his back and goes for the rear-naked-choke, after adjusting his grip Herman forces Starks to tap 1:42 in round 2. Ed Herman earned his spot on the next UFC Ultimate Comebacks DVD.

Roy Nelson Vs. Fabricio Werdum was definitely Fight Of The Night for a reason. As always Roy Nelson is there to have a brawl and honestly Werdum was not having it, Fabricio showed control the whole time with his Mauy Thai whipping Roy Nelson in the clinch and throwing nasty vicious knees which landed on “Big country's” chin constantly. Before I go on I just want to say the Roy has the heart of a Lion and the best chin I have ever seen in MMA, I'm sure Junior Dos Santos will agree with that. Fabricio looked great in his return to UFC and all the Strikeforce guys that have come over to UFC have been forces in the UFC Heavyweight Division. Fabricio has beat top guys throughout the world and has been in every major MMA organization (Pride, Strikeforce, and UFC) and he is back and proved it standing up with Roy Nelson for 3 rounds winning the fight by Unanimous Decision.

Now on to the Main event Nick Diaz Vs. Carlos Condit, which has caused drama and discussion all over twitter and other MMA social networks. I stayed unbiased before the fight and refused to pick a winner because I think both of them have the skills to beat GSP and they both have been dominate in MMA throughout their careers. With that said I want to say that I had Nick Diaz winning Round 1, Round 2 because he was clearly being aggressive and moving forward the whole time, even giving Carlos Condit the Stockton slap. Condit starting getting into his Rhythm in the 3rd round and was putting together combos and punches but still was moving backwards while scoring and the same for the 4th Round. Nick Diaz came out in the 5th round and was more aggressive than the 2 previous rounds and gets a great takedown, which was the most effective thing that was done all fight and went for submissions as the final bell rang giving him the 5th and final round. The Judges obviously saw a different fight than I did giving Condit 4 rounds when it was clear that Diaz had won more than just 1 round. I don't know what the commission is going to do about the judges because they seem to make more mistakes as time goes on. Nick Diaz showed his frustrations towards the judges after Condit was awarded the Interim Welterweight Championship saying

“I’m not gonna accept that fact that this was a loss. I’ve lost fights before and I’m not going to accept that either. I pushed him back the whole fight, I got the takedown. I’m the guy who won on top. If I didn’t think I was ahead when I had him on the ground I would have finished that arm lock and you know Carlos is a great guy I am happy for him and his family. I think I am done with this MMA, I had a great time out here, you guys paid me way too much but I don’t think I’m going to get enough to keep going with this. I’ve had a great time, Cesar Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Good Job Carlos you’re the man… I don’t need this shit I pushed the guy backwards he ran from me the whole fight. I landed the harder shots, he landed ittie bittie leg kicks the whole fight so you know if that’s the way you have to win in here I don’t think I want to play this game no more. I’ll help out my team, I’ll help out my brother but I’m done with this shit.”

Honestly I don't want Nick Diaz to retire because he is one of the most active fighters in MMA and always brings the fight 209 style and the fans love that. I don't agree with how the Nick Diaz post fight interview went as far as walking away from the sport because I think he can come back and get another great fight and win because he is a great fighter. To see Nick Diaz and Badr Hari retire in the last month has been devastating for me as a MMA writer and combat sports fan but there will always be prospects out there to take their place not their legacy. Long Live Nick Diaz, “The King of 209”


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