for 15 minutes, turning Cerrone's face into a bloody mess and easily winning a unanimous decision victory.
Cerrone and Diaz had been talking trash to each other in the run-up to the fight, had to be restrained from fighting each other at a pre-fight press conference this week, and declined to touch gloves before the fight, with Cerrone instead giving Diaz the finger. But once the opening bell rang, it was Diaz who did all the fighting.
In the first round Diaz brutalized Cerrone with high-volume punching, hitting Cerrone in the face again and again and again. By the middle of the round Cerrone's mouth was bleeding and he appeared to have trouble keeping it closed, as if he might have had a jaw injury. It was a dominant first round for Diaz.
Cerrone was better in the second round, changing up his approach to attack more with leg kicks and knocking Diaz off balance with trips and sweeps. However, Cerrone wasn't able to do much of anything when he succeeded in knocking Diaz down, and Cerrone still ate a lot of punches from Diaz. The second round was closer, but I still gave it to Diaz.
By the third round Diaz knew he was in command and was cruising with his high-volume punching, easily battering away at Cerrone and clinching the win. The only question in the final moments of the fight was whether there would be any type of ugly post-fight scene, but instead the men shook hands and hugged afterward, and shook hands again when the judges' scorecards were announced, with Diaz winning 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.
The win improves Diaz's record to 15-7, and it was as good as he has looked in the Octagon, Cerrone, fighting for the fifth time in 2011, looked tired and worn down, and his record falls to 17-4. In the end, Diaz was classy as he walked out of the Octagon.
for the fight," Diaz said. "Sorry about all the s--t that went down."
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Dong Hyun Kim def. Sean Pierson via unanimous decision at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Sean Pierson takes a breather at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Dong Hyun Kim punches Sean Pierson at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Dong Hyun Kim throws a front kick at Sean Pierson at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Efrain Escudero attempts a choke on Jacob Volkmann at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Efrain Escudero throws a punch at Jacob Volkmann at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Jacob Volkmann throws a punch en route to a decision win over Efrain Escudero at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Diego Nunes throws a kick at Manvel Gamburyan en route to a unanimous decision win at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Diego Nunes kicks Manvel Gamburyan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Diego Nunes punches over Manvel Gamburyan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Danny Castillo def. Anthony Njokuani via split decision at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Anthony Njokuani throws a kick at Danny Castillo at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Anthony Njokuani throws a knee at Danny Castillo at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Danny Castillo takes down Anthony Njokuani at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Danny Castillo takes down Anthony Njokuani at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Ross Pearson def. Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Ross Pearson def. Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
UFC Octagon girl Brittney Palmer carries the round three card at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Junior Assuncao tries to get on top of Ross Pearson at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Ross Pearson charges Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Ross Pearson clinches and knees Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Ross Pearson throws a knee at Junior Assuncao at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Jimy Hettes punches Nam Phan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Jimy Hettes takes down Nam Phan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Jimy Hettes ground and pounds Nam Phan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Jimy Hettes ground and pounds Nam Phan at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Johny Hendricks def. Jon Fitch via 12-second KO at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Jon Fitch stunned at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Johny Hendricks celebrates his win over Jon Fitch at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Johny Hendricks def. Jon Fitch at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Johny Hendricks knocks out Jon Fitch at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson celebrates his win over Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson knocks out Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson knocks out Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson knocks out Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone lands a punch on Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz punches Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Donald Cerrone keeps distance from Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz punches Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem throws a right hand at Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem knees the body of Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem hurts Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem finishes Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem watches his fallen opponent Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem celebrates his win over Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Alistair Overeem def. Brock Lesnar via TKO at 2:26 of round one at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Brock Lesnar announces his retirement after his loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Brock Lesnar kisses his wife after leaving the cage at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz celebrates his win with his teammates at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone loses the unanimous decision to Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz walks to his corner at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone show each other respect at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone kicks Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz kicks Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone pushes forward against Nate Diaz at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz raises his arms at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz punches the body of Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz punches Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz connects cleanly on Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Donald Cerrone lands a kick to Nate Diaz's face at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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UFC 141 Fight Night Photos
Nate Diaz punches Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Nate Diaz attacks Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 141 Fight Night Photos Donald Cerrone sits in his corner at UFC 141 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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