UFC on FOX: Nate Diaz throttles Jim Miller in main event

East Rutherford, NJ, United States (AHN Sports) – Despite lacking name value, there was hardly a dull moment in any of the four main-card fights, including the main event where Nate Diaz stopped Jim Miller via tapout due to a choke in round 2 at UFC on FOX 3 Saturday at the Izod Center.

It was the third straight win since dropping back to lightweight for Diaz, who earned the No. 1 contender distinction.

The triumph made quite a case for title shot for Diaz, 27, of Stockton, Calif., but it also raised his stock as became the first man to finish Miller in his home state of New Jersey.

Though there was tentativeness in the opening round as he tried to adjust, Diaz buckled down in the next round. He launched a thundering strike that rocked Miller, who was forced to shoot for a takedown, which led to his loss.

Diaz, the Ultimate Fighter Season 5 champion and winner of numerous victories in Strikeforce and World Extreme Cagefighting, was able to use all the weapons, including superb ground work and taunting, expected in a typical Diaz bout.

Miller, who previously held the distinction as perennial lightweight contender, tried to keep pace with his suddenly rejuvenated foe amidst encouraging chants from the home crowd, but the 28-year-old native of Sparta Township, N.J., was simply outmatched.

In the second round, Diaz started letting loose, both with his hands and with his mouth while unleashing shots and utilizing the clinch to pick apart the stunned Miller, who went for a takedown, but Diaz was able to sink in a choke.

Miller desperately tried to get out, but that nasty guillotine choke grew tighter, forcing the tap at 4:09 of the second round. Both fighters were bloodied after the thrilling clash.

Diaz will wait to face the winner of the lightweight championship rematch between Ben Henderson and Frankie Edgar this summer.

The Diaz-Miller main fight, considered by MMA fans and enthusiasts the UFC’s best event so far in 2012, sealed the action-packed offering of the third edition of UFC on FOX.

The critical welterweight collision between Johny Hendricks and Josh Koscheck did not disappoint as Hendricks closed in a title shot by eking out a controversial 3-round split-decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) in a fight that could have gone either way.

The key clash between Alan Belcher and Rousimar in the middleweight class was also filled with thrilling actions. Belcher posted an upset via a TKO win due to ground-and pound strikes at 4:18 of the first round.

The heavyweight action saw Lavar Johnson stunning Pat Barry in the first round. Johnson used a combination to knock out Barry at 4:38.

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