The Diaz Brothers Continue To Look To Improve Their Kicking Game
Both Nick and Nate Diaz have always been feared MMA fighters. Their boxing skill and ground game are not of this world. However, their kickboxing skill leaves something to be desired. The Diaz brothers are “kicking-up” their kicking game recently though. They have focused their training efforts much more squarely on kickboxing which, as already stated, seems to be their only weak spot in their fighting.
For example, look at Nate Diaz’s last fight when he lost by decision to Conor McGregor. It was a vast difference from his first fight versus McGregor when he won pretty easily by submission in the second round. During the second fight McGregor both controlled the fight and really weakened Diaz by delivering powerful leg kicks throughout the fight. Diaz obviously didn’t have much of an answer. The reason McGregor and his camp thought to do this was that they knew there wouldn’t be much of a response, in turn, from Diaz because of how weak his kickboxing is and that’s something that the whole world knows.
Since then, Diaz has trained with world renowned kickboxer and action star Jean-Claude Van Damme. Most know Van Damme as a movie star but few know about his incredibly successful professional kickboxing career. Van Damme compiled an impressive 18-1 career when he was kickboxing professionally and it was no mistake either. Van Damme helped show the Diazs how to use their kicks to help keep distance with their opponent as well as to add variety to their repertoire in order to help surprise their counterparts more often. Both brothers have also since worked with longtime Muay Thai and Kickboxing champ Joe Schilling to help sure up their kickboxing.
Right now, neither Nick nor Nate have any upcoming bouts scheduled. Nick was recently reinstated to the UFC after a year and a half suspension for yet another marijuana positive. So expect him to come back into the UFC fold sometime soon. Nate hasn’t fought in a year and that’s no fault of his own as he’s wanted several fights in that period and just hasn’t gotten them. Most do expect a re-match with Connor McGregor within the next year and a half depending on the success or failure of McGregor’s boxing career. One thing is for certain though, if either of the Diaz brother truly improves his kicking game – watch out.