Props: Sherdog

Quoteworthy:

"He's just a really smart fighter for this fight. He did a really good job in preparation and everything. I almost want to say I'm proud of the guy. I mean like, it's a good example of someone getting their sh*t together and doing everything they gotta do to bring their all, you know. ... I've said it a bunch of times, I'm going to put punches in, you're going to have to try to throw me down and I'm a jiu-jistu fighter, a black belt under Cesar Gracie. People know it's a mistake to take me down like that and get caught up in a submission."

Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz is nothing but complimentary towards Evangelista Santos after he retained his title by nearly ripping off the Brazilian's arm in the second round of their main event fight at last night's (Jan. 29) event in San Jose. The two brawlers engaged in a thrilling back and forth war of attrition -- that is until "Cyborg" made the fatal mistake of taking down a Cesar Gracie jiu-jitsu black belt. Not long after, Diaz took a limb and that was all she wrote. Now that he's won nine straight, talk has turned to a boxing match against Fernando Vargas but when he steps back in the Strikeforce cage it will likely be against current number one contender Paul Daley. While "Semtex" has heavy hands, what happens when the fight hits the floor? Who can think of a fresh opponent for Diaz that can match his grappling skills?