UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz
(Malleus_brando/Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0)
UFC 137 Penn vs. Diaz was a great Pay Per View with an action packed fight card and a lot of displayed emotions. The fight last Saturday was initially supposed to be George St. Pierre vs. Carlos Condit for the UFC Welterweight Championship.
This event showcased two co-main events, a main event, and a few other fights. The two co-main events were Roy Nelson vs. Mirko Cro Cop and Matt Mitrione vs. Cheick Congo. The main event was B.J. Penn vs. Nick Diaz.
Nelson vs. Cro Cop was an intense fight. Roy Nelson has a record of 16-6, stood at 6-foot-0, 252 pounds, and has a 73 inch reach. Mirko Cro Cop had a record of 27-9-2, stood at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, and also has a 73 inch reach.
This fight was mostly dominated by Nelson. He started the first round with fierce right hands and a great ground and pound game. He continued to do so in the second round, but got cut open by Cro Cop by some intense uppercuts. Cro Cop survived a mounted crucifix in the second round, but was later knocked out by Nelson in the third. Legend Mirko Cro Cop announced retirement after the fight.
Saddleback student, Brian Duenas, 21, undecided, said “Nelson had the weight advantage and used that to his advantage. Cro Cop got winded too fast.”
The fight between former NFL lineman Matt Mitrione and Cheick Congo was fought very cautiously. Their effort and performance was booed by the crowd.
The Main Event was a bloodbath and an amazing fight. B.J. Penn has a record of 16-7-2, stood at 5-foot-9, 169 pounds, has a 70 inch reach, and is recognized as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time. Nick Diaz has a record of 26-7, stood at 6-foot-0, 170 pounds, has a 76 inch reach, and is one of the best fighters in the sport right now. Both fighters are black belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
In the first round, Penn and Diaz came out very aggressive with each throwing a large amount of punches. B.J. was the first to get Nick on the ground. He put him on his back and looked like he was going to submit him.
The second round was all Diaz. B.J. had some good uppercuts and leg kicks, but Nick outboxed him and showed a lot better cardio. Diaz hit him with big body shots and a lot of punches to the head. He busted open Penn’s eye to the point where he was bleeding pretty bad. B.J. showed so much heart and would not give up. Penn really took a beating and was exhausted by the end of the second round.
In the third and final round, Penn showed even more heart and fought back to the last second. It just wasn’t enough. Diaz was far more conditioned and has some of the best cardio in the business. He wore out B.J. by the end of the fight.
“It was a good fight, but Penn got tired a lot faster.” Duenas said. “Diaz was just too fast and his cardio was fantastic.”
After the fight was over, Nick Diaz called out George St. Pierre saying that he wasn’t really hurt and that he was scared of him. That was a sign of arrogance and smart tactics. A few minutes later Penn told announcer Joe Rogan that he plans on retiring because he is tired of going home to his daughters looking all battered and bruised up. If he officially retires, we will all miss “The Prodigy,” and he will go down as one of the greatest UFC fighters ever.
“Diaz is a punk and St. Pierre would destroy him. St. Pierre is a better fighter,” Duenas said. “Bj is getting old and he will always have his kids in the back of his mind. Penn made the right choice on retiring. He has no need to fight or prove a point anymore, we know he’s one of the best ever.”