Pros Pick: Diaz vs. Daley

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One of MMA’s most entertaining fighters will have his skills on full display Saturday night inside the Valley View Casino Center in gorgeous San Diego at Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” (Showtime 10 ET/PT).

Nick Diaz, a participant in more entertaining wars than Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris combined, will put his Strikeforce welterweight title on the line against former UFC contender Paul “Semtex” Daley. The showdown promises to be a thriller, as the styles of both combatants mesh perfectly. And considering Diaz’ propensity to engaging in wild brawls, it’s not out of the question that “Semtex” could take the belt back to England with him.

Will Daley’s power and striking snatch the title away from Diaz, or will the cagey champion be too dynamic to lose his belt? The pros think they know the answer.

Ricardo Liborio: Nick Diaz is more well-rounded and fights five rounds over and over. He really has to be aware of Paul Daley’s striking skills [though]; he hits very hard. [I pick] Nick Diaz by decision. It will be an amazing fight.

Nam Phan: I say Diaz by decision but I wouldn’t be surprised if Daley gets a KO upset.

Dan Hardy: Daley by KO in the second round. Diaz will try walking forward [and] punching like usual, but [he] will get hit hard and cut in the first round. The second round will be the same with Diaz trying to get the fight to the floor, but failing. He will get hurt with a knee and knocked out towards the end of the round with a left hook.

Frank Shamrock: Nick [wins]. Destroys him with THC-laced BJJ and gangster boxing.

Javier Vazquez: If Nick Diaz fights smart, he will use his striking to get the takedown and submit Daley. Diaz sometimes has a habit of trying to beat guys at their own game. It might cost him in this fight [if he does that]. I still pick Diaz to win by submission. He’s too slick on the ground and I think it will eventually get there and he will catch him, probably with an arm lock on Daley’s right arm.

Greg Nelson: Paul has the striker’s chance for sure, but Nick has that as well and the submission threat. Nick also has tons of experience dealing with good strikers. Nick has always cracked me up; he is as real as it gets. I am going with Nick.

Gilbert Melendez: Diaz by whatever he wants.

Erik Paulson: Nick Diaz is a stud. He needs to take him down and finish him on the ground. Don’t strike with a striker who has KO power. Be like water my friend!

Mike Whitehead: Diaz by KO in the second round.

Travis Wiuff: I think Diaz is one of the most underrated fighters out there. He’s fought so many tough guys and has beat up most of them. I love his attitude. [He’s got] great standup, great ground game, great camp. I am taking Diaz by second-round stoppage.

Mike Easton: Nick wins.

Doug Marshall: I think Diaz will wear him down like he always does. That guy’s cardio is outta control and it looks like no one can hurt him. Cyborg blasted his legs about 30 times and he kept coming! So I’ll take Diaz [via] third-round triangle.

Sam Hoger: How can Daley beat Diaz? A riddle it will be! On the ground Diaz [is] better and standing he has a bit too much reach. I love Daley’s “keep it real” attitude but he is meeting the poster boy for keep it real. And to talk trash in this case I think he is singing the wrong song because Diaz will be way too much by the time this day is gone. I'll be rooting for Daley though.

Tim Kennedy: The only chance Paul has is in the first round.  While he has more than just a “punchers chance,” I don't see him being able to hang with Diaz's pace or cardio.  Nick is the better wrestler, grappler, and perhaps ever more rounded as a striker.  I see Nick playing the up-and-down game and finishing off Daley by submission in the fourth round.

Ron Foster: I'm a huge fan of both guys, but this is a bad matchup for “Semtex.” This should be a great fight for about two or three rounds. Nick Diaz will use his long jab and machine-gun punches while Semtex will be looking to land his game-changing left hook and low kicks to neutralize his opponent. After watching a much smaller Jorge Masvidal use his superior boxing to avoid damage and frustrate Daley, I think Diaz will be able to do much of the same. The fact that Nick is a southpaw will make it very difficult for Daley to land that big left hook. I believe Semtex will eat a hefty serving of right jabs and straight-left hands right down the pipe early and will be forced into using low kicks only trying to stay on the outside of Diaz's long-range punching. I don't think this is an easy fight for Nick Diaz but in my opinion he has many more ways to win this fight. Paul Daley always have that one punch KO power, but I just don't think he will be able to pull it off against the iron-chinned Diaz. Should be a very exciting fight, but at the end Nick Diaz will remain Champ. Diaz by TKO.

Keith Berry: Diaz is tough as s--t. He will weather the storm and get the TKO in the third or fourth. He might get a little rocked, but he will get the W.

Michael Guymon: Daley is one hell of a dangerous fighter with the power he possesses in his hands. Unfortunately he is fighting someone like Nick. Nick’s frustrating style and all around game will end Daley's night with a submission in the fourth round.

Ray Elbe: This is a great fight...for Daley. Styles make fights and Diaz uses the clinch for takedowns, which will expose him to Daley's striking and muay Thai clinch. I hate picking against a Cesar Gracie guy, but because of the matchup...Daley by KO 4:20 in the second round.

Benji Radach: Diaz has the ability to win this fight by utilizing all his skills. However, Daley has some good takedown defense that could frustrate Diaz and cause him to receive a knuckle sandwich that doesn't taste well. This being said, if Diaz scrambles or sets up a good takedown, I'd say Diaz wins by a nasty choke. However, if Diaz can't force or set up a good shot I see some serious punch-drunk action in Diaz's near future!

Jason Miller: I usually don't weigh-in on [fight predictions], but I think I should comment here. This is a style clash that will result in a loss for Diaz. Diaz' weak link is undoubtedly his takedowns: he had a mountain of trouble taking down a much smaller K.J. Noons, and in a pure kickboxing contest, Daley has a definite advantage. Although Diaz is a more well-rounded fighter, it is doubtful that we will get to see a lot on the ground in this fight. Daley by KO.

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