For 24 out of the 25 minutes of their fight at UFC 263, Leon Edwards controlled almost every aspect of the fight. His strikes, kicks and almost everything else he did had caused considerable damage and drew significant blood to Nate Diaz's face and body.
But as he absorbed that damage, generally looking unconcerned, Diaz had one trick left in his back pocket. With a Stockton slap and a powerful punch, Diaz stunned Edwards and his legs wobbled.
Diaz was ultimately unable to find the final strike to finish Edwards off, and Edwards won a hard-earned decision. But the legend of Nate Diaz once again grew in defeat, and a significant portion of the UFC roster weighed in with their thoughts on the fight, as well as praise and disbelief regarding Diaz's performance and perseverance.
And once again Nate Diaz shows up and even after losing a fight his stock rises. That flurry is all that'll be talked about! It's about memories /land Diaz leaves people with memories. #ufc263
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 13, 2021
Nate Diaz is one of a kind. #ufc263 #tothedeath
— Gilbert Melendez (@GilbertMelendez) June 13, 2021
😳😳😳 #UFC263
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) June 13, 2021
THIS IS CRAZY!! #UFC263
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 13, 2021
What a WAR 🔥🔥🔥
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 13, 2021
Wow I think Leon just lost the title shot to Colby just cause how the fight ended 🤷🏾♂️ #UFC263
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) June 13, 2021
We will never ever in our lives see another fighter/man/personality like @NateDiaz209 ... thank you for a lifetime of entertainment!
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) June 13, 2021
Nate Diaz almost pulled off one of the craziest upsets in UFC history #UFC263
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 13, 2021
Only Nate Diaz could withstand that kind of punishment and almost win in round 5. Leon started forgetting about the leg kick and started throwing wide hooks in close. Dangerous thing against Nate.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 13, 2021
Mannn Nate Diaz is fun to watch bet he's fun to fight too 😎 #UFC263
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) June 13, 2021
I will knockout Nate Diaz after I knockout Woodley
— Paul Paul (@jakepaul) June 13, 2021
Nate Diaz almost pulled off one of the craziest upsets in UFC history #UFC263
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 13, 2021