UFC 141 Results: Why Nate Diaz Deserves a UFC Lightweight Title Shot

Nate Diaz went out and took care of business last night at UFC 141.

Donald Cerrone was riding a six-fight win streak and had all the momentum in the world going into the bout, but Diaz was not to be intimidated and came out swinging early and often, using his superior boxing to frustrate “Cowboy.”

Now riding a two-fight win streak of his own, it’s time for the younger Diaz to take a leap into title contention.

After a year where the 155 lb. division was a cluster of possible contenders and a waiting list for a title shot that seemingly lasted forever, the upper echelon of the lightweight division is now virtually empty and with a win over Cerrone, Diaz finds himself at the top of the heap.

Gray Maynard, Clay Guida, Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard all suffered huge setbacks in their previous bouts and other than the winner of the UFC 144 bout between Joe Lauzon and Anthony Pettis, Diaz is the only man on the roster that has anything resembling a title shot-worthy win streak.

Nate has been on a tear since moving back to 155 in September, destroying Takanori Gomi within a round at UFC 135, and he looked better than ever against Cerrone this weekend.

While the UFC doesn’t usually hand out title shots so easily, the lightweight division has eaten itself alive over the past 12 months and Diaz is the last man standing in the division.

A fight with the former TUF winner against Frankie Edgar or Benson Henderson would be easy to market due to Diaz’s exciting style, and with the rising popularity of his brother Nick, the UFC has a built-in storyline with the siblings both trying to capture their first UFC title.

It seemed nearly impossible just a few months ago, but the time has come for the kid from Stockton to get his first crack at UFC gold.