Former MMA Referee Says UFC Champion Kamaru Usman Would Get ‘Lit Up’ by Nick Diaz on the Feet

Posted on by Matt James

Former MMA referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy spoke out on his ‘Weighing In’ podcast and talked about a potential blockbuster welterweight bout. Fan-favorite fighter Nick Diaz recently spoke to TMZ and revealed that he wanted an undisputed title shot against reigning champion Kamaru Usman.

However, given the fact that Diaz hasn’t won a fight since 2012, it’s virtually impossible for the UFC to justify giving him a title shot. On the flip side, it’s all be certain that the UFC will rope in big numbers having a superstar like Nick Diaz on the poster.

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Would Nick Diaz spark Kamaru Usman?

Fans of Nick Diaz would categorize his fighting style as controlled chaos as seen in his striking banger against Paul Daley back in Strike Force. Per ‘Big’ John McCarthy, Kamaru Usman would get ‘lit up’ on the feet against Nick Diaz and would then resort to shooting in for takedowns.

This is a rather bold statement, especially when looking at the way Kamaru Usman’s striking has evolved in recent years.

“If there’s one thing that you know about Nick, he’s gonna come and give you everything that he’s got,” McCarthy said on his podcast. “Would I mind seeing him against Kamaru? No, I wouldn’t, other than this: Kamaru would stand with him until he started getting lit up and then he’s gonna go and use his wrestling – which he should. I’m not saying he shouldn’t, but what is Nick always complaining about? People wrestling.”

“He’s a handful as far as the way he creates situations that he just touch, touch, touch, and he’ll throw power in there, and he’ll take shots to give shots, and he just keeps this buzzsaw action going that makes you start to become more defensive than offensive.” [h/t mmajunkie.com]

Following Usman’s KO of Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261, most fighters aren’t going to take ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ lightly in the stand-up department. While Nick Diaz has some unorthodox striking weapons, it’s hard to say whether he’ll be able to rock Usman on the feet. Not to mention, Diaz’s comeback fight against Robbie Lawler left plenty to be desired.