pay-per-view from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Cerrone (17-3), who is fighting for the fifth time this year, won in UFC fights against Paul Kelly, Vagner Rocha, Charles Oliveira and Dennis Siver. Diaz (14-7) lost to Dong Hyun Kim and Rory MacDonald earlier this year before getting back on track with a submission win over Takanori Gomi in September.
Round 1: After the customary display of middle fingers in lieu of the glove touch, referee Herb Dean gives the signal and Cerrone comes charging out with a right hand that Diaz ducks under. After extricating himself from Diaz's grasp, Cerrone lands a nice right, but Diaz keeps the pressure on. Cerrone's looking flat-footed and making for an easy target for Diaz so far. Diaz pops his head back with consecutive punch combos, and Cerrone looks lost. He's got no head movement at all, and Diaz is hitting him at will. Cerrone's taking it, for now at least. He fires back with a head kick and then one to the thigh, but Diaz keeps coming forward. Cerrone slips off a head kick attempt but it back up quickly. Diaz is all forward movement, and he has no trouble finding Cerrone's face. Cerrone is bloodied up and sucking air with his mouth open. Ten seconds left. Diaz clinches and Cerrone adds a knee before the horn. So far it's everything we expected. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Diaz.
Round 2: Diaz marches straight ahead to resume his attack, and Cerrone still seems out of sorts. Cerrone lands a nice left hand counter, then pushes/trips Diaz down but declines to follow him. Jumping knee by Cerrone, then another trip. Diaz keeps coming and lands a couple stinging lefts. Now Cerrone is firing back, but it only makes Diaz up his pace. As an aside, all three ring girls are freaking out over this fight. It's easily the fight of the night so far. Cerrone puts Diaz down again with a kick to his leg, but Diaz is back up quickly. Another leg trip by Cerrone, and Diaz rises just a little bit slower. Diaz stings Cerrone and sends him reeling back, but Cerrone recovers. A chant of 'Diaz!' starts up just before the horn. Cerrone is looking bloody and exhausted. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Cerrone.
Round 3: Diaz flashes the double-bird from across the cage before the round begins. At least they speak a common language. Diaz gets his punch combos working right away, and he's talking to Cerrone in there after nearly every punch now. Cerrone can't do much but bleed at the moment, and Diaz's confidence is growing with every punch he lands. Cerrone trips him down again, but he doesn't seem to have the energy to follow with anything. Good knee by Cerrone, but Diaz responds with a flurry of punches. Diaz kicks and Cerrone again kicks his leg out from under him. He's going down hard on those, and the noise is impressive, but they don't seem to bother Diaz much. Diaz comes forward behind a hook and Cerrone nails him with a nice jumping knee. Diaz batters Cerrone with more brutal hooks and Cerrone comes back with a head kick. What a fight. They finish as they started: hammering away with wild abandon. Cerrone extends his hand at the horn and Diaz takes it, nodding in begrudging appreciation. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Diaz.
Nate Diaz def. Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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.
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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
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.
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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
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.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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
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
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
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
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.
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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
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
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.
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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