Nate Diaz
Diaz gets next crack at lightweight belt
UFC lightweight contender Nate Diaz will be the next challenger for the lightweight title.
UFC president Dana White revealed the news to FUEL TV, simply stating, “Nate Diaz will fight the winner.”
The winner he is referring to is the winner from this evening’s main event of UFC 150, which features champion Benson Henderson and top contender Frankie Edgar.
Diaz earned his top contender status after going on a three-fight tear in the division, including his “UFC on FOX 3” submission win over Jim Miller.
Prior to that victory, he defeated Takanori Gomi and Donald Cerrone at the tail end of 2011.
The top of the lightweight division has been in somewhat of a vicious circle over the past few years. In the past five lightweight championship bouts, the same four faces have been present.
Edgar earned the title from B.J. Penn at UFC 112 and would then go on to defend the title in a rematch at UFC 118. Following the title defense, Edgar fought Gray Maynard to a draw at UFC 125, though he did defeat Maynard in their rematch at UFC 136.
But Edgar’s reign ended when he met Henderson for the first time at UFC 144, losing to the former WEC champion via unanimous decision. Now, the two meet again, making this the third immediate rematch in the last six 155 lb. title tilts.
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