Grappling Experience
Nate is a Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu of which he received from Cesar Gracie. He has trained extensively and competed both in the gi and no gi grappling. The strong areas of his grappling game include his guard where he has finished many of his opponents, some of which BJJ black belts, via triangle choke. He also has a dangerous guillotine choke. With his long slender limbs, opponents are in danger where Diaz can apply a triangle choke or some variation of head and arm choke usually when trying to shoot on him. Nate has limited take downs but sometimes uses take downs from the clinch position or pulls his opponents into his guard.
Striking Experience
Nate employs a boxing style of MMA striking where he can use their long reach. At 6 feet tall, Nate is relatively tall for his weight division and uses his reach advantage in his striking. He is a south paw and utilizes a ‘punches in bunches’ style of boxing. With a sturdy chin, Nate often takes powerful blows from his opponents unaffected that would knock out most fighters in his division. He, like his brother, is prone to being cut above the eyes however.
Conditioning
Nate regularly competes in triathlons and so always has great conditioning and rarely seems to get tired in his fights.
Ideal Match ups
Nate usually fairs well against opponents who want to stand up and brawl with him. This was evident in his fights against Takanori Gomi and Conor McGregor. As he is comfortable on his back, wrestlers with limited stand up striking skills often have no choice but to take him down but face the risk of being triangle choked or arm barred.
Bad Match ups
Most of Diaz’s losses came from judge’s decision as he is very difficult to knock out or submit. He has had difficulty with technical strikers with great cardio such as Rafael Dos Anjos, Josh Thompson and Benson Henderson who can out point Nate through the duration of the fight.