Nick Diaz squares off against BJ Penn in the new main event at UFC 137 in Las Vegas on Saturday in what promises to be a stone cold classic. This pair, both uber-talented and equally controversial, have each been involved in their fair share of thrilling encounters down the years so many fans are salivating at the thought of their coming together.

It’s hard to pick five of Diaz’s best performances as a good number of his 25 MMA wins have been after grueling, back and forth, wars of attrition. But in no particular order here are the ones that live longest in the memory.

Versus Robbie Lawler at UFC 47:

This was the fight that made Diaz. Lawler was about as feared striker as you could find at the time in the UFC having forged a fearsome highlight reel of KO’s in the octagon up to that point. He was heavily favoured to continue in the same vain against Diaz. The Stockton, California fighter shocked everyone by not only standing with his opponent but also taunting him! Diaz put Lawler out of his misery in the second when he connected with a right hook that KO’d the “Ruthless” one. Diaz had arrived.

Versus Takanori Gomi at Pride 33:

Since the high of beating Lawler some three years earlier Diaz’s career had suffered a few setbacks, namely losing three in a row in the octagon. Despite returning to form and winning three in a row he was again underdog when he squared off against Japanese ace Takanori Gomi in Pride. Gomi was rated by many as the number one lightweight fighter in the world at the time and started strongly knocking Diaz to the ground and ending up in his guard.

The American soon pulled himself back into the fight with his patented pitter-patter, volume striking which his opponent struggled to deal with throwing wild haymakers to no avail. Towards the end of the first Gomi was visibly gassed. It was much of the same in the second until the fighters went to the floor and Diaz gained a submission victory via Gogoplata. Their enthralling battle was a fight of the year candidate.

Shortly after it was announced that Diaz had failed a drugs test testing positive for marijuana so the fight was unfortunately declared a “No Contest”.

Versus Frank Shamrock at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Shamrock

This was Diaz’s first appearance in Strikeforce and he faced off against legend Frank Shamrock. Shamrock had been and done it all in MMA but by the time he faced Diaz he was very much in the twilight of his career. In one of his most dominant performances of his career Diaz was dominant in all areas owning Shamrock in his feet and surprisingly on the ground too – mounting Shamrock at the end of the first. He ultimately defeated Shamrock in the second with a crippling body shot followed by punches on the mat. It was said that Shamrock was carrying a rib injury coming into the bout. It would be his final MMA appearance.

Versus Evangelista Santos at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg

It promised to be a slugfest and for the best part of two rounds the pair went at each other hammer and tongs. Cyborg chopped away at Diaz’s front leg with vicious kicks throughout while Diaz kept coming forward and tagging his opponent with his trademark short, volume striking. Something had to give and towards the end of the second Cyborg took Diaz to the ground but soon got caught in an expertly manufactured armbar by Diaz. The fight was stopped ten seconds from the end of the round and Diaz kept hold of his Strikeforce Welterweight Championship.

Versus Paul Daley at Strikeforce: Diaz versus Daley

However dangerous Cyborg was standing Daley arguably posted even greater danger to Diaz standing with his dynamite fists. Diaz, as ever, though wanted to stand with Daley and the pair produced one of the most exciting opening rounds in MMA history. Earlier on Diaz’s felt the full power of Daley when a flurry by the Englishman put him to the ground. Diaz turtled-up and eventually was able to return to his feet. Diaz soon was back in full flow, pressuring his foe around the cage with his quick-fire but accurate striking.

Diaz was starting to dominate the contest until the final minute when Daley landed a bomb and Diaz again fell to the mat. Daley flailed away at Diaz who looked in serious trouble. However Diaz again managed to survive the onslaught and get back to his feet.  With just seconds remaining Diaz caught Daley and the English fighter fell to the floor where Diaz swarmed all over him. The fight was stopped with three seconds left!

Matt Hyde

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