photo by Esther Lin for Showtime
Nick Diaz discusses Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos fight.
Nick Diaz headlines “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg” on Jan. 29 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., and thinks welterweight is the right division for Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos.
Santos made the move from middleweight to the 170-pound division in his last outing, finishing DREAM champion Marius Zaromskis by technical knockout.
“He looked good at that weight. I think it’s a lot better for him,” said Diaz. “I think this fight is a better weight for him to fight at.”
“I think he’s a good fighter and I think he should do better at this weight,” added the Cesar Gracie trained fighter. “It’s going to be harder to beat him at this weight than at 185 pounds.”
“I think everything is going to be better for him at this weight,” he added. “He’s not the most technical fighter, and he’s not the biggest fighter, so that kind of leaves him out, so he’s got to fight at 170.”
Diaz categorizes Santos as a “brawler” with good kicks.
“I think he’s kind of a brawler and he kicks well. He’s a kick boxer, brawler, but he‘s a good fighter. He has knockout power. He hits hard, is explosive. He kicks well.”
Diaz has scouted Santos and knows what he brings to the table.
“I expect him to be training hard for this fight,” said Diaz. “I’ve studied him and people he’s fought as well as anybody.”
“I’ve seen his weaknesses and I’ve seen his strengths in fights and I think that fighting at 170 he should do better than at 185.”
The fight with “Cyborg” will be Diaz’ second title defense since being crowned the first Strikeforce welterweight champion.
“I think this is the best opponent for right now,” said Diaz of Santos.
Asked whether he’d rather the fight with Santos be take place standing or on the ground, Diaz has no preference.
“I don’t think that sort of thing is going to make a difference for me.”
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