4. Nate Diaz
Opponents engage Diaz on the ground at their own peril. The Cesar Gracie-trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has 25 submission attempts to his credit, and nearly a third of them (eight) have resulted in tapouts. Diaz’s long list of victims includes Junior Assuncao, Alvin Robinson, Kurt Pellegrino, Melvin Guillard, Marcus Davis, Jim Miller, onetime Pride Fighting Championships titleholder Takanori Gomi and reigning UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor. Chokes have been “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5 winner’s weapon of choice on the ground and account for seven of his eight successful submissions: four guillotines, two triangles and a rear-naked. Diaz has been awarded 15 post-fight performance bonuses, tying him with Joe Lauzon for the most in UFC history.
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