UFC 263 has two title fights but many considered the people’s main event to be Nate Diaz vs Leon Edwards. It’s also fitting that the fight also made history as the first five-round contest outside of title fights and main events.
Edwards handily picked apart Diaz for four rounds, then in trademark fashion, the Stockton superstar came back and almost finished him at the very end. Edwards was saved by the bell, but he did earn a hard fought decision win.
Watch highlights from the bout below, along with a snippet from our play-by-play of the event.
Some gamesmanship from @NateDiaz209
Stream #UFC263 on @ESPNPlus ▶️ https://t.co/xBUo2VAE4Z pic.twitter.com/EeKMOxGIYW
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 13, 2021
@NateDiaz209 always keeping it interesting #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/eek1BYhX8J
— UFC (@ufc) June 13, 2021
Big left lands for @Leon_edwardsmma
Stream #UFC263 on @ESPNPlus ▶️ https://t.co/xBUo2VAE4Z pic.twitter.com/nKPg51m9xD
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 13, 2021
The elbows of @Leon_edwardsmma have opened Nate Diaz up
Stream #UFC263 on @ESPNPlus ▶️ https://t.co/xBUo2VAE4Z pic.twitter.com/7DEraqJyi6
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 13, 2021
In true @NateDiaz209 fashion #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/NuyLDlunMB
— UFC (@ufc) June 13, 2021
Another huge left lands and @Leon_edwardsmma is cruising
Stream #UFC263 on @ESPNPlus ▶️ https://t.co/xBUo2VAE4Z pic.twitter.com/dQRLjWdUSw
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 13, 2021
NATE DIAZ ALMOST PULLED THE UPSET IN THE FINAL ROUND #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/n6oUBiO9ro
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 13, 2021
That ending had us ON OUR FEET #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/9LfYNDCRUY
— UFC (@ufc) June 13, 2021
Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards, Round 5
Leg sweep again from Edwards. Diaz pops back up. Diaz clinches and drags Edwards to the fence briefly. Edwards with a hard left. Inside low kick too. Diaz with a straight left. Diaz clinches and looks for a takedown. Knee to the body. Body kick from Edwards on the break. Edwards with a fast combo. Edwards with a beautiful combo underneath and over the top. Wow. Diaz is chasing and missing. No he’s caught him now! EDWARDS IS WOBBLED! Diaz is all over him! He keeps pointing at him and clipping him! One minute to go! It’s all Diaz! Edwards ducks but gets clipped again! OH MAN! Edwards grabs him and holds on! 20 seconds! Nate lands again! Edwards makes it to the horn. WOW! 10-9 Diaz but 49-46 Edwards. Oh my god that round was awesome.
Leon Edwards defeated Nate Diaz via unanimous decision (49-46,49-46, 49-46)
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