Rumor: Nate Diaz vs. Josh Neer at UFN 14

[Diegonightmare]

Josh Neer vs. Nate Diaz in works for UFC Fight Night 14
by Dann Stupp and Bruce "PhyteGuru" Huckfeldt
on May 29, 2008 at 11:00 am ET

Josh Neer (24-6-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) and "The Ultimate Fighter 5" winner Nate Diaz (9-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) will likely meet at UFC Fight Night 14 in September.

A source close to one of the fighters told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) about the lightweight fight and said bout agreements are expected to be signed shortly. The fight has been rumored for the better part of a month.

UFC Fight Night 14, which airs on Spike TV, takes place Sept. 17 and serves as a lead-in for the eighth season of "The Ultimate Fighter."

Neer, who most recently scored a unanimous-decision victory over veteran Din Thomas at UFC Fight Night 13, had left the organization for nearly two years before the victory. After consecutive losses to Josh Burkman and Nick Diaz, Neer fought outside the UFC and went 6-1 with five stoppages in organizations including the IFL and Greensparks Full Contact Fighting.

We first reported his involvement with the event earlier this month, but an opponent was still being finalized.

Diaz, who won the sixth season of "TUF" after fellow finalist Manny Gamburyan suffered a shoulder injury during the live finale, has now posted four victories in the UFC. The four consecutive submissions wins have come over Gamburyan, Junior Assuncao, Alvin Robinson and Kurt Pellegrino.

Diaz had been campaigning for a fight with the highly touted Tyson Griffin, but instead, he will apparently get veteran Neer.

Back in August 2006, Neer dropped a third-round submission to Nate's brother, Nick Diaz.

For more on UFC Fight Night 14, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

For the latest fight card from The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale, check out the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

Source

Fuck yes. I love watching either Diaz brother fight. I can't wait to see how the career of "young Nate Diaz" - as Rogan called him after the triangling of Pellegrino - progresses.

[Badluck_33]

I really like Nate Diaz alot, even though he's a bit "thuggish" with the whole "209" bullshit.

WAR DIAZ!

[hunterkiller]

And someone said earlier the UFC doesn't "pad" a fighters wins. Diaz by easy submission. Props to Nate for wanting a tougher opponent in Tyson Grffin.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by thecoylewis

Props to Nate for wanting a tougher opponent in Tyson Grffin.

Agreed, he's consistently been asking for better competition. I'd love to see a Diaz-Griffin fight. There's no doubt it'll happen in another fight or two.

[Noise Chopped]

Was kinda hoping it'd be Guida...Griffin...Gamburyan...

Whatever, though. And someone's really got their idea of a thug screwed up if they associated with another repping their area code - I like Nate and his personality.

[Lefthookstcrook]

Originally Posted by thecoylewis

And someone said earlier the UFC doesn't "pad" a fighters wins. Diaz by easy submission. Props to Nate for wanting a tougher opponent in Tyson Grffin.

Neer aint no slouch man, in fact its the exact opposite the guys tough as nails.I cant see Nate just running through him with an easy submission, the guys been around the block hes got 31 fights(24-6-1) with 20 stoppages, and only four decision wins.

I like Nate Diaz just as much as the next guy but he was taking a beating from Kurt in the first round. If Neer can keep his composer i wouldnt be shocked to see him win this.

But if i had to bet id pick Diaz by Sub rd3(acually let me see the betting odds first)

[hunterkiller]

Originally Posted by TUF5

Neer aint no slouch man, in fact its the exact opposite the guys tough as nails.I cant see Nate just running through him with an easy submission, the guys been around the block hes got 31 fights(24-6-1) with 20 stoppages, and only four decision wins.

I like Nate Diaz just as much as the next guy but he was taking a beating from Kurt in the first round. If Neer can keep his composer i wouldnt be shocked to see him win this.

But if i had to bet id pick Diaz by Sub rd3(acually let me see the betting odds first)

No slouch, but meant to be a stepping stone. You can always tell. Instead of pitting a guy up with contenders within the division, they bring in someone from the past or a newbie altogether as a stepping stone. He was probably meant as a stepping stone for Din Thomas and when Din couldn't get past him, he got the axe. Diaz by submission and it's bye bye Neer again.

[Quintessential Studmuffin]

Would have much rather seen Diaz/Manny II,Diaz/Clementi,or Diaz/Griffin.

Diaz by UD. Neers good,but I think Diaz can outstrike him,and is just as good,if not better then Neer on the ground.

[Ifightforaliving]

you guys know my boy nate 2nd rd triangle

[Noise Chopped]

Kurt Pellegrino wasn't a slouch, for the record...I think Nate's probably one of the most legitimate (if not the most) guys to come out of TUF. And in that division? Probably the most stacked division in the UFC.