The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner Nate Diaz (10-4) will get a chance to break out of an 0-2 slump when he tangles with Melvin Guillard (22-7-2) in a lightweight match up at UFC Fight Night 19 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Sept. 16, 2009.
Diaz is coming off a disappointing unanimous decision loss to Joe Stevenson at TUF 9 Finale on June 20. It was his second straight loss inside the Octagon after winning five straight and further diminished his chances at a division title shot, which could have possibly been within reach with a few more impressive wins.
The good news is that the fighter out of Stockton, Calif., is just 23 years old. In the grand scheme of things the loss to "Daddy" seems like a minor speed bump; however, it appears to be tough to swallow nonetheless. He and Stevenson each earned $25,000 bonuses for putting on one of three "Fights of the Night."
"The Young Assassin" has also had his share of troubles inside of the Octagon (and out) but lately has managed to get his life and career back on track.
The talented 26-year-old Louisiana native appeared to have slayed his personal demons, destroying Denis Siver at UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" in July 2008 — his return fight after being released by the
UFC for, among other things, his relationship with illegal drugs.
He followed that up with critical win against Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizard Gleison Tibau at the TUF 9 Finale less than a month ago.
A big win over a name like Diaz and Guillard is right back in the thick of things.
UFC Fight Night 19 is expected to feature a lightweight rumble between Roger Huerta and Gray Maynard. It will serve as the lead-in for the upcoming tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), which features Kimbo Slice and a solid collection of 15 other heavyweight fighters competing in a tournament-style format to earn one "six-figure contract."
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