MMA Weekly:Nate Diaz ends Josh Neer's three-fight win streak

The main event of UFC Fight Night 15 that took place at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska had Josh Neer walking out to the tune of Stone Sour’s “Bother” (which we find a bit melancholic, by the way) while a visibly pumped up Nate Diaz walks alongside his brother Nick.

Both fighters are coming strong with their winning streak where Nate Diaz boasts of 10-2 for MMA and 5-0 for UFC, and Josh Neer coming in confident with his three-fight win streak.  It was indeed a fight in a tight enclosure.

The first round found Neer getting the initiative on the first half, starting with a leg kick and an attempt for a ground play but Diaz was able to escape and get back on his feet.  It was Diaz who was mostly on the offensive towards the end of the first round where he was pounding Neer from halfguard.

Neer tried to intensify his attempts at suppressing Diaz on the second round but Diaz proves to be slick he always gets away.  On the third round Diaz tried to come out with a combination of punches and takedowns.  It was obvious the two are evenly matched it took the judges to decide (on a split decision 29-28, 28-29, 29-28) that Diaz wins.

Diaz, as what he usually does, praised his opponent and warned all future challengers.

Here are more highlights:

• Eric Schafer (12-3-2) def. Houston Alexander (8-4, 1 nc) Alexander, having lived in Omaha since 1980 was obviously the crowd’s favourite but was not match to Schafer’s 6’3” height and a 4” reach advantage.  Alexander did a good start with a knee that obviously hurt Schafer badly.  It was Alexander’s lack of sufficient ground game that did him in.  This could be his last for the UFC.
• Jason Brilz (16-1-1) def. Brad Morris (10-4) by TKO (strikes) at the second round.  Brilz, all fired up in front of his own townfolks dominated the game from the time the bell rang.  It was obviously a one-sided bout that the referee decided to put a stop to it and raised Brilz’s hand which have been busy hammering away at the hapless Australian.
• Clay Guida (24-6) def. Mac Danzig (19-5-1) via unanimous decision.  Guida has been known for his high-energy fighting style and this is what he exactly used in this bout.  He was a bit overwhelmed by Danzig at the beginning of the first round but he was able to eventually turn the game around.
• Alan Belcher (12-4) def. Ed Herman (16-6) by split decision
• Alessio Sakara (17-7, 1 nc) def Joe Vedepo (9-2)
• Wilson Gouveia (11-5) def. Ryan Jensen (13-5)
• Joe Lauzon (16-4) def. Kyle Bradley (13-6, 1 nc)
• Mike massenzio (11-2) def. Drew McFedries (7-4)
• Dan Miller (9-1, 1 nc) def. Rob Kimmons (21-4)