Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 141 co-main event between Donald Cerrone and Nate Diaz
Dec 28, 2011 - 1:30:42 PM ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 141 co-main event between Donald Cerrone and Nate Diaz

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Predict the outcome of Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz - who wins and how?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST


This might be the toughest fight I've ever been asked to be predict.  I always underrate Nate Diaz, and I refuse to make that mistake again.  I've also been on the Cerrone bandwagon ever since his victory over Jamie Varner.  Not that Varner was a monumental opponent or anything, but Cerrone came out and beat Varner specifically and intentionally at Varner's own game: wrestling.  Both Diaz and Cerrone come to the cage with the same mindset, the same skills (Cerrone is the better kickboxer, but Diaz's overall standup game is dangerous), and the same overall talent level.

Honestly, I have no idea how this fight it going to play out, and I have no idea who's going to win.  I do know that the idea of betting on Cerrone at -277 is psychotic.  From a betting perspective, place a small bet on Diaz and hope it hits.  But the fight itself, I guess Cerrone by decision, but it's really just a guess.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR



I think Diaz wins this by submission. Nate is so long and lanky that he's able to pull off submissions at times that you're not expecting. Cerrone is a good fighter, but I think Diaz will stick to his gameplan and pull off the submission sometime in the second round.




ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

This fight between Donald Cerrone and Nate Diaz should easily be the fight of the night, if only for the fact that these fighters will come out and go toe to toe with no hesitation.  Diaz and Cerrone can both take a beating, so I see this fight going the distance with Cerrone edging out Diaz in a split decision.  Either way, as fans, we're the winners.


ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I'm picking Donald Cerrone in a close three round decision. In his last four fights, Diaz is 2-2. Cerrone is on a six fight win streak.  Cerrone's strengths are in his Muay Thai, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling. Diaz's strengths are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and boxing. Simply put, Cerrone is a more complete fighter with more ways to win. Cerrone wins this fight and is one step closer to a title shot.


JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
 
There is a reason that fighters don't try matching Nathan Diaz technique for technique; it's an incredibly risky game to play. Since arriving in the UFC in 2007, no one in the lightweight division has ever really beaten up Nathan Diaz . I scored his fight with Clay Guida for Diaz, Joe Stevenson took a lay and pray decision off of him in 2009, and I thought he beat Gray Maynard when they had their rematch.
 
I just can't imagine anyone with Donald Cerrone's skill set actually beating up Diaz, but for whatever reason, I think that's the most likely outcome here.
 
I know this fight will be awesome, but I have no idea how it will play out. I feel like Donald Cerrone is on the precipice of elite status in the lightweight division and with Diaz having a rough go of things over the last few years, I think Cerrone gets the win.