Stockton, California’s Nathan Diaz improved to 10-2 at UFC Fight Night at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, NB. The 23 year-old went the distance with Josh Neer (24-7-1) to pull out a 29-28 split decision victory.

Diaz and Neer covered every square in of the mat while battling it out for a full fifteen minutes. Diaz was slammed to the mat early in the first only to return the favor with an impressive takedown of his own later in the round. From their feet, Diaz ended the round with a series of rights and lefts while Neer’s back was pinned against the cage.

Neer scored two significant takedowns in the second round and attempted to choke the “Ultimate fighter 5” winner; however a resourceful Diaz fended off the attempt. Diaz held his own throughout the period with strikes, but it was Neer’s round in the end.

Diaz adjusted his game-plan heading into the third round and it proved to be beneficial. Diaz scored more takedowns in the final round while successfully taking Neer’s back at one point. Neer spent most of the round fighting with his back against the mat, but the submission attempts and ground defense was not enough to keep Diaz from winning the fight.

“Josh Neer, he ain’t no black belt in jiu-jitsu like the other guys I’ve been fighting,” Diaz stated. “This mother------, this dude right here can fight.”

The “Carpenter” Clay Guida (4-3) outworked his extremely game opponent Mac Danzig (18-5-1) to earn a 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 unanimous decision victory.

An opening exchange looked promising for Danzig, the superior striker, although Guida found a loophole in Danzig’s game and was able to seemingly take him down at will. That same story played out again and again throughout the 155lbs match-up. Danzig was able to land a few choice shots, but was never able to stop from being muscled to the mat. Towards the end of it all, the “Ultimate Fighter 6” winner was exhausted and Guida held true to his mantra by keeping busy and pushing the action.

“He hit me hard a couple of times, and I knew I could take him down off the transitions,” said Guida.

Hard times continued for Ed Herman (14-7) when he lost a 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 split decision to the now 4-3 Alan Belcher. Herman’s raw talent and determination will never be questioned, however this loss drops his UFC record to a shaky 3-4.

Mixing up strikes and kicks, Belcher seemingly won the first round, until he was planted to the mat twice by the never say die Herman.

Herman came out strong in the second, blasting Belcher with a body shot. Belcher however, dished it right back by putting together a body-body-head combination that sent Herman reeling backwards against the cage. The Team Quest member recovered, and despite being hit with a good left-hook and leg kicks, Herman was able to score a much needed takedown while working Belcher over at the horn.

Belcher stuffed Herman’s takedown shots in the third while selectively landing single punches, namely more left hooks and straight rights. Herman was not finished just yet however, when he put together a late rally that included a nice takedown and mount just before time expired.

“It’s was a very close fight. I don’t disagree with the judges at all. Could have went either way,” said Belcher.

Hometown favorite Houston Alexander (8-4) gave the crowd a reason to get out of their seats early when he virtually lifted Eric Schafer (10-3-2) off the mat with a fearsome knee to the body. The excitement would not last long however, when Schafer quickly exposed Alexander’s weakness on the ground.

Schafer weathered the storm of punches from an attacking Alexander and the 30 year-old nearly ended the bout with a tight guillotine choke. Looking for a way to take him to the mat nearly halfway through the round, Schafer double-legged Alexander and simply took over from that point forward.

Schafer landed a number of solid elbows and punches from the mount. With time winding down, Schafer transitioned to side control and forced the tap via arm triangle with just seconds left in the first.

“I actually heard their corner yell, ‘A minute left.’ I was grounding and pounding him, and he didn’t seem to be hurt at all. So I’m like, ‘I better get moving and go for a submission while there’s a little bit of time left.’

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