So the biggest news this week was all about the comeback of the UFC’s prodigal son Nick Diaz. And in his return from a six-and-a-half-year exile, the elder Stockton bad boy will be pitted against the inimitable “Ruthless” one, Robbie Lawler.
It’s a rematch that takes place 17 years after these two revered veterans first met as hungry, tenacious 20-year-olds climbing up the ladder. And whether you’ve seen it or not, now’s the perfect time to revisit this firefight from UFC 47’s main card.
There are way too many notable moments in those fast-paced six and a half minutes of action. Robbie’s patented aggression, Nick’s customary taunts, Dana White’s favorite referee playing grumpy teacher and warning him for talking too much.
But the story of the fight was Nick’s right hand. It’s the bookend punch that dropped Lawler in the opening minutes and finally got the job done in round two. This was definitely one of those pairings that had the makings of a classic right from the get-go.
Diaz vs. Lawler II co-headlines UFC 266, the second non-title, non-headliner bout scheduled for five rounds on September 25th. That’s a two-month wait, but at least we have this one to tide us over.
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