Breaking Down Diaz/Shamrock

Stephen Quadros breaks down Diaz/Shamrock:

I feel this will be a long grueling battle of wills. To beat Frank Shamrock, Nick Diaz has to stay busy with his hands and keep the fight at long range by using his jab. Behind the mirage of his boxing Diaz should wait patiently for Shamrock to close the distance to get into striking range and use that opportunity to take Frank down and work for a submission. If he simply dove in for a takedown, Diaz will have problems as opposed to setting things up with punches.

Frank needs to do what no other fighter has yet to do to Nick Diaz, hurt him. To achieve this Shamrock needs to stand in the pocket, stay low and land the right hand. A straight right or an overhand right will be the keys for Frank. Accuracy will be crucial; a fist to the cheek or the hairline will not suffice, it must connect with the tip of the chin or the jaw to do the deed.

I honestly don’t think there will be much groundfighting in this match. But if it go to the floor, and stays there, Nick will definitely have the edge. If Frank can get inside Nick’s reach and land quickly he will be the better on his feet because I perceive him to be the stronger of the two.