via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 11: Robbie Lawler reacts to his victory over Rory MacDonald in their UFC welterweight title fight during the UFC 189 event inside MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 11, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 11: Robbie Lawler reacts to his victory over Rory MacDonald in their UFC welterweight title fight during the UFC 189 event inside MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 11, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas erupted as Nick Diaz finally made his much-anticipated walk to the Octagon after six years. He faced Robbie Lawler in a 5-round middleweight clash.
Lawler started the fight aggressively with an explosion, but Diaz found a home for his shots as well. Diaz started to find his rhythm and started using his exceptional boxing. The elder Diaz brother threw a lot of strikes, including some great body shots.
Seeing Nick Diaz back in the ring is 🔥. Amen!!!!! #UFC266
— Theo Von (@TheoVon) September 26, 2021
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The second round started in the same manner, with both fighters engaging in a phone booth brawl. Diaz had thrown over 200 strikes before the second round had ended. In the second period, Lawler stacked Diaz up against the fence, but that didn’t stop the Stockton native from throwing.
The third round turned out to be the last round as Lawler hurt Diaz, who couldn’t answer the referee’s call. Hence, the fight was stopped. With his win, ‘Ruthless’ drew level with Diaz, who had beaten him in 2004.
Lawler was full of respect for Diaz in his post-fight interview. Diaz made no excuses for his loss and the fans applauded him for the fantastic fight he offered.
Twitter reacts to Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler 2
Fans were very excited to see Diaz vs Lawler 2 play out the way it did. This was a war, but the ending was somewhat anti-climactic.
REDEMPTION FOR RUTHLESS!
[ @Ruthless_RL| #UFC266 ] pic.twitter.com/2rglBBUhSw— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
What a war!!! Diaz vs Lawler 2 was epic. @ufc @nickdiaz209 #respect
— Brodie Hunsaker (@HunsakerBrodie) September 26, 2021
Lawler vs Diaz 2 was a instant classic, never thought I would see Nick get finished.
Insane pace by two legends. #UFC266
— Bryan Greer (@Crunch_Tyme) September 26, 2021
UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson reacted to the fight.
This is what I’m talking about baby!! #UFC266 #diazvslawler
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) September 26, 2021
Fans gave the two veterans the props they deserved for putting on a fight at an insane pace.
Wow this is really happening @ufc #UFC266
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) September 26, 2021
Great fight so far #UFC266
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) September 26, 2021
Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman reacted as well. Middleweight Derek Brunson shared his thoughts too.
Both warriors Lawler & Diaz ! 🙏🏾 #UFC266
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 26, 2021
Nick Diaz my boy , you don’t have to explain yourself . G’s up 💯 #UFC266
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 26, 2021
Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler 2 colorized pic.twitter.com/sqTqenxZSD
— Shael Connen (@shael_connen) September 26, 2021
Some fans called for the UFC to put Diaz vs Lawler 2 to the hall of fame.
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@ufc has to put Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler 2 #266 into the hall of fame right now!
— 😉 (@itsclout2k) September 26, 2021
It was genuinely a very entertaining fight for as long as it lasted. Diaz showed that he still possesses the heart of a true fighter. However, if fans will get to see the legend back in action again, remains to be seen. As for Lawler, it was a much welcome win for the former UFC welterweight champion to break his recent skid.
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