When did Nate Diaz make his UFC debut?
Nate Diaz is unquestionably one of the most adored fighters to have ever competed in the UFC. In this article, we delve into Diaz’s momentous UFC debut, shedding light on the event, his opponent, and the impact he had on the sport.
Nate Diaz’s UFC Arrival
Nate Diaz began his journey in the UFC as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 5, where he won the lightweight tournament against Manny Gamburyan via second-round TKO in June 2007.
The Stockton slugger made his official UFC debut against Junior Assuncao on September 19, 2007, at UFC Fight Night 11. The event took place at the Palm’s Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event marked the beginning of Diaz’s incredible UFC career that spanned over 15 years and saw him enter the octagon a whopping 26 times.
Nate Diaz’s Incredible Debut
During his fight against Manny Gamburyan in the TUF 5 finale, Nate Diaz walked into the octagon brimming with confidence and swagger. Gamburyan sunk a deep guillotine early as the fight began, but Diaz slipped out and pulled guard. Diaz attempted to get back on his feet, but Gamburyan took his back, and the fight went to the ground again.
Whenever Nate Diaz pulled guard, he attempted to submit his opponent, changing between triangle chokes, kimura, omaplata, and armbars for the final two minutes. In the second round, Diaz stunned Gamburyan early with his iconic 1-2 before Gamburyan shot for a takedown that caused his shoulder to dislocate. Nate Diaz won the fight via second-round TKO.
Likewise, in his first official UFC outing against Junior Assuncao at UFC Fight Night 11, Nate Diaz put his incredible technical abilities on full display. Diaz went for an early clinch and secured a standing kimura lock that he used to throw Assuncao.
After that submission attempt failed, Diaz went for another kimura, ending in a half-guard. When they both returned to their feet, Diaz rocked Assuncao and locked him up in a guillotine choke. Junior Assuncao tapped out at 4:10 minutes into the first round.
Aftermath and Legacy
After his debut, Nate Diaz became one of the UFC’s most beloved and fan-favorite fighters. Diaz became known for his incredible submission abilities and unbelievable “tank-like” durability as a fighter. While the Stockton native never won a title in the promotion, fight fans worldwide gravitated toward his unfiltered authenticity and unapologetic demeanor.
During his incredible 15-year run in the UFC, Diaz faced world-class fighters like Conor McGregor, Donald Cerrone, Benson Henderson, Jorge Masvidal, and Tony Ferguson. Nate Diaz continues to enjoy a cult following in the MMA world alongside his elder brother Nick Diaz.
Conclusion
Nate Diaz’s UFC debut marked the beginning of an illustrious career. With his incredible skills and durability inside the octagon, Diaz achieved unprecedented success and became one of the most popular fighters in UFC history.
