Nate Diaz vs. Dong Hyun Kim

Dong Hyun Kim secured a close victory over Nate Diaz in a showdown of welterweight up-and-comers on the Main Card of UFC 125 on New Year's Day. While the three round bout was short on heavy standup and wild action it was a treat for aficionados of the ground game. Most of the bout was spent with Kim seeking to pass or inflict topside damage on the world-class guard of Diaz. Diaz found himself underneath time and again due to the clever inside trips and single-legs of Kim, who had used them to great effect in maintaining his undefeated Octagon record heading in.

Diaz, owner of a world-class guard who trains with many of the best top-game grapplers in the business, including Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez at California's Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu camp, appeared to believe that if he ended up on bottom his BJJ game would be more than enough to sweep or submit Kim. It turned out not the case, as Kim repeatedly evaded the sub attempts of Diaz and frequently passed on Diaz, albeit for only brief stretches of time. It was a skillful display by the Korean Judoka, who also managed to drop enough heavy punches from top position to secure the Unanimous Decision victory and move one step closer to a title shot.