The following is a new article on UFC.com
10/25/2006
A Homecoming for Diaz on November 18
By Thomas Gerbasi
Welterweight contender Nick `Diablo’ Diaz has traveled the world over the course of his five year mixed martial arts career, from Tokyo to Atlantic City and back. But on Saturday, November 18, `Diablo’ only has 40 miles to drive to get to the Arco Arena in Sacramento to face Gleison Tibau at UFC 65.
The Stockton, California native, 14-6 as a pro, is coming off perhaps the most impressive win of his UFC career in August as he showed a complete MMA game in submitting always-tough Josh Neer at UFC 62. Diaz is looking forward to returning home for this upcoming bout.
“I don’t know too much about Tibau, but I’m sure he’s very tough and I’m looking forward to giving my hometown fans a great performance,” he said.
In the 23-year-old Tibau (23-2), Diaz will be taking on an American Top Team fighter who specializes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and started fighting back home in Rio Grande Norte, Brazil when he was just 15 years old. Despite the pressure of making his UFC debut on November 18th, he is ready for whatever Diaz brings to the table.
“He looks to have unorthodox boxing, a long reach and very good jiu-jitsu skills,” Said Tibau. “He also has a lot of experience fighting in the UFC, which helps, but I feel very comfortable fighting, and my training has been great with ATT, so I am well prepared.”
This bout, part of an exciting nine bout card headlined by the UFC heavyweight title match between Tim Sylvia and Jeff Monson and the UFC welterweight championship rematch between Matt Hughes and Georges St. Pierre, will air live on pay-per-view from the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.
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