The Stockton Slap versus The Left Hand Shot
By: Derek Moody
2/28/2016, 8:30 a.m.
Tweet to: @DerekMoody619
Conor McGregor versus Nate Diaz is sure to answer one question; who’s the baddest man on the planet? Both are notorious at verbal warfare and often back up their mouths with their performances, unwilling to fall back from the verbal onslaughts and stances. Two openly opinionated fighters, if given a platform, are always guaranteed to satisfy and entertain the onlookers. One is made for the lights camera and action, molded to his boss’s perfection, the other is everything the boss despises uncontrollably, meant to be kept in the shadows somehow stealing the spotlight.
Finally, a fight where both competitors equally run their mouths and consistently back it up, Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor vs #5 Lightweight Nate Diaz. Fight fans have wanted this to happen for over a year, knowing it’ll be a stand-up bloodbath with many profane hand gestures and verbal assaults. Mystic Mac strikes again with his prediction regarding Nate Diaz, that with “his soft body and his lack of preparation, he will not be able to handle the ferocity. End of the first, I feel he will be put away.” Yet to make an inaccurate prediction during his UFC campaign, it’s hard to foresee any other outcome.
Some of the top MMA analysts have stated several times that Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz has been the fight and should be the fight. Nate is fortunate big brother Nick is on suspension or he’d once again miss out on the big money fight he’s always asked for. Also, see predictions on tonight’s big event!
Stockton Slap vs Left Hand Shot
The Stockton Slap isn’t known for finishing fighters but is well known for effectively pestering foes, mentally destroying opponents, and causing sheer embarrassment. Made famous by his older brother, Nick Diaz, but more often used by Nate Diaz, the slap almost always triggers an emotional response thwarting a fighter’s game plan due to frustration. A heavy volume of punches some delivered with 50 percent power, combined with a few slaps and profanity, will almost always break a fighters will. Most recently Michael Johnson, who is also a great striker, was picked apart and embarrassed, welcoming Nate Diaz back to relevancy.
The extremely accurate Left Hand Shot delivered by Conor McGregor ended the six-year championship reign of Jose Aldo, dating back to WEC, with just one shot. If connected just right, the fighter on the receiving end will be placed on the shelf for the next 90 days going thru concussion protocol. Six of his seven UFC opponents have fallen victim to it. The moment the left hand shot is the most accurate and precise finisher in MMA. A close second would be Rousimar Palhares’ inverted heel hook (minus being held too long) or Ronda Rousey’s deadly armbar .
Advantages for McGregor & Diaz
Footwork and movement are the factors that’ll help McGregor easily pick his shots at will. Diaz is very flat footed, slow and predictable, though effective with his striking his striking will be a non factor if he can’t catch McGregor. With arguably the best footwork in the MMA, his elusiveness gives him an astronomical edge that every opponent he’s faced has struggled with. Working with Ido Portal is beyond enhancing to anyone’s movement; with McGregor already having amazing footwork and movement, he’s entering the realm of untouchable.
Mentally, Diaz can’t and won’t be broken like Poirier, Brandao, Siver, and Aldo. The mental aspect is where Diaz normally gains some leverage. Mendes took the fight on such short notice there wasn’t time for McGregor to work his magic or he may have been added to that list as well. Diaz also took the fight on short notice, but the verbal warfare has been going on since December, so it’s impossible for McGregor to aggravate Diaz, seeing that this is a game Diaz also excels in.
Even Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos was broken, which would have hurt dos Anjos more than his broken foot. His belt would have changed hands on March 5th. Nate Diaz is second all time in UFC bonuses with six Fight of the Nights, one Knockout of the Night, and five Submissions of the Night, only behind Joe Lauzon.
For Diaz to win, he’ll need McGregor to make a mistake, possibly a slip throwing a head kick or a spinning back kick. If a scrum on the floor were to happen, Diaz would need to capitalize, seeing that the submission game is his only advantage and way to victory. McGregor hasn’t lost in six years or come remotely close to losing since joining the UFC. However, his two recorded losses both came via submission.
Three Possible Outcomes
Diaz Submission, McGregor TKO, or McGregor KO are the only viable outcomes at UFC 196. It’d be very interesting to see Nate Diaz lock on a triangle for the victory, which I’m sure would ruin McGregor’s shot at history in the near future capturing multiple belts. The most realistic outcome is McGregor by TKO, even though Diaz has an outstanding chin. With a McGregor win, he’ll still be on pace to fight at UFC 200 to stake his claim at history potentially winning another belt.