MMA is full of personality, and while most fighters are known solely for their work in the cage, there are those that harmonize their combat skills with an everyday persona. The interesting combination of utter brilliance and defiance possessed by these figures is masked by the brash and controversial reputation of Nick and Nate Diaz. Both of these views of the Northern California natives shine constant spotlights over them, whether they like it or not. Both in and out of the Octagon, the prosperity of these raw characters ceaselessly generates backlash that triggers something called the ‘Diaz effect’.
“If we are going to be fighting, then we aint’ friends.”
After dismantling B.J. Penn with ease, this is what Nick Diaz had to say about relationships with his fellow competitors. These words are so simple yet perfectly characteristic of the temperament of both Diaz brothers. And while this manner is not common or marketable, it is who they are, even inside the octagon.
A tantalizing figure in any sport that is able to back up his or her words always seems to rile the people up (just look at Chael Sonnen). The first thought that comes to the mind of any MMA fan when hearing the word ‘Diaz’ may be positive, negative, annoyed, or amused, but in that opinion lies passion. Like them or not, the Cesar Gracie protégés seem to find their way into the mind of just about everyone, and that is just the beginning.
The dynamic personality of these world-class fighters is similar to the ‘get in your face’ mantra that they carry into battle. There is a distinct killer weapon that both Diaz’s employ in their fights, and having mastered it has brought the brothers some serious success.
Every fighter going into a fight has a scheme or blueprint for what they need to do. Even ‘having no game plan’ is in fact it’s own tactical plan. Studying future opponents, and establishing ways to exploit their flaws is crucial, yet only a portion of creating a game plan. The physical execution of a strategy once the cage door shuts ends up being all that matters. This is what the Diaz effect impedes.
The boys from Stockton are perpetually quick to begin a relentless onslaught of high volume punches, knowing the importance of this immediate attack. The ability to get right in the face of opponents early in fights characterizes this highly successful offense. Their reaching stiff jabs are able to fluster opponents, while also breaking down their sense of security. Just as many great fighters have said ‘everyone has a game plan until they get punched’. When opponents start to eat these small jabs, the beginning of the long and painful end has already begun. And the fact that so many fighters underestimate the real power of strikes thrown in bulk is what stuns them the most. Quickly the fighters begin to think solely about trying not to get hit, but then Boom! Another jab comes their way leaving no room for mental or physical recovery. The constant effort of evading this vicious attack prevents the fighter from executing a plan of attack or looking for openings, and instead elicits survival mode.
Imagine a professional NASCAR driver competing in the Indy 500. Now think about if there was a person in the passenger seat constantly flashing a blinding light in the driver’s eye. The light isn’t bright enough to actually compromise the driver’s vision, yet after only a few flashes he or she can no longer focus on racing, and the prepared strategy to come out victorious. The driver is now trying to regain his vision and clear mind that the small, relentless, and previously insignificant light robbed him or her of. Meanwhile other cars race by and leave this driver in last place of a long, frustrating race.
In addition to ruthlessly shoving strikes into opponents’ faces causing the initial agitation, these two of a kind fighters employ another tactic, also capable of severe mental disturbance. They welcome fighters to exert their ‘best’ as the fight commences. The durable Stocktonians will wear opponents’ strongest strikes, defend the sharpest submissions, and shake off explosive takedowns, almost allowing their opponent to ‘get it out of his system’. After successfully weathering the barrage, the brothers then promptly begin with the Diaz offensive. Any fighter exerting all the weapons at their disposal then watching, as every one of them are rendered useless will vandalize a clear mind. The demoralizing adrenaline dump that a fighter gets after experiencing his optimum assault fall so prominently short when the Diaz’s eat up their strongest attack and scoff at it, is a paramount ingredient to the Diaz effect. When Nick Diaz defended his Strikeforce title for the last time, he allowed the wild and powerful Paul Daley to give everything he had at the expense of his face, just before Diaz put him away.
When someone succeeds at something, there are going to be people angered at this fact. While some of this animosity is out of spite, many times this displeasure is caused by the lack of understanding of a person’s triumph. While every fighter has their fans and haters, the Diaz brothers continue to spark infuriation among those that simply don’t know why they keep winning. It comes down to a physically subtle, yet mentally daunting ability possessed by Nick and Nate Diaz. And even understanding this skill doesn’t mean just anyone can replicate it. This fighting style is a mere reflection of the rough attitude, and undying work ethic that the Diaz brothers share and embody. While these boys endure a disparaging and misunderstood reputation, they continue inflicting the Diaz effect and remaining victorious at the expense of anyone in their path to UFC gold.
