Welterweight fighters Nate Diaz and Mike Perry are scheduled to fight this weekend. The bout will be live on Netflix inside Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. It is part of the “Rousey vs. Carano”-led MVP MMA 1 card.
Diaz Returns to the Cage
Nate Diaz, who first gained prominence on The Ultimate Fighter in 2007, is returning to the cage. Now 41, the Stockton slugger has competed for a UFC title and defeated top-ranked contenders. He famously handed Conor McGregor his first loss.
For Diaz, the fight represents another brawl. Diaz’s strategy involves weaponized pace, using consistent straight punches and pull counters. This is designed to fatigue his opponents by never giving them a chance to rest. If wrestling occurs, he aims to keep the scramble going and work at the gas tank with submission threats.
Perry’s Bareknuckle Boxing Success
Mike Perry has built his name after his UFC career by diving headfirst into bareknuckle boxing. “Platinum” became the face of BKFC. He also secured a substantial payday by boxing Jake Paul, which helped him land this opportunity on Netflix.
Perry has been more active in recent years and will probably show up in better physical shape. Despite being known as a brawler, Perry has shown good transitional skills on the canvas and can land powerful takedowns.
Keys to Victory
Tiring Perry out feels like Diaz’s best chance at victory. Diaz is outgunned in terms of pure power and even durability at this stage of their respective careers. It’s not likely his jiu-jitsu is likely to come into play, either, as Perry was historically fairly difficult to ground and will be the bigger man.
Diaz does have the height and reach advantages. If the Southpaw can start popping his jab and 1-2, Perry is famously bad at moving his head. Diaz should be looking to strand him on the outside, make him miss, and then punish the brawler as he slows down.
On the other hand, Perry should smash Diaz. He’s younger, faster, and more powerful. Conversely, Perry very much fits the classic archetype that gets chewed up by the Diaz brothers. He’s confident in his knockout power and loves to swing for the fences, two traits that the Diaz brothers have countered many, many times in the last couple decades.
The Stakes
Neither man has fought in the cage in several years, so anything could happen.