UFC 135: Round-by-round recaps

Nate Diaz (156) vs. Takanori Gomi (155) Round 1 Odd recap of the Nick Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi to act as intro to Gomi's fight with his brother Nate with UFC announcers Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg failing to mention the most salient and indeed hilarious aspect of that fight -- that Nick's victory was overturned due to him being as high as a kite flown from the highest height, up through the atmosphere, where the air is clear. One has to think that the same reasons why Nick was able to outfight a prime Gomi still apply in the matchup with his brother -- Nate's volume punching should wear down Gomi while his height and reach advantage should keep his chin away from the heavy hands of the former Pride Light Champion. Diaz starts out by firing out the jab as expected. Gomi struggling with the reach disadvantage. Nate drops Gomi with a jab. Gomi managed to land a shot to the body but this is a bad start with Nate landing at will. Gomi lunges in with an overhand punch and then a body punch. Diaz dominating with his usual boxing style, hurts Gomi with a hard right hook. Gomi managed to clinch up with Nate a couple of times but doesn't do anything with it. Diaz starting to really feeling it, putting together combinations and throwing with both hands. Gomi is dropped but quickly comes back. Nate hurts him again and Gomi goes for a desperation single-leg. Nate threatens on the ground and Gomi quickly gets back to his feet. Nate continues to lay into Gomi standing, just displaying brilliant boxing technique. Gomi is again forced to go for a takedown to get out of the firing line but that puts him in the crosshairs of Diaz's BJJ. Nate traps him in a triangle choke but can't quite get it, with Gomi fighting strongly including powerboming the Stockton fighter. Nate however quickly switches to the armbar and that's all she wrote at 4:27 of the first round. Nate Diaz defeats Takanori Gomi via submission (armbar) at 4:27 of the first round.