As the Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz match-up has been officially made, Cesar Gracie believes that his fighter can emerge victorious over the man who is considered as the "Greatest Of All Time" in mixed martial arts. The trainer also thinks that the fight will end via knockout.
The Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz fight is set to take place on January 31st at UFC 183, for the UFC's Super Bowl weekend card. Both fighters are coming off two straight losses; Nick Diaz against Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre, respectively, and Anderson Silva against Chris Weidman.
Both men are also coming off long hiatuses. The Stockton, California native took a break after his frustrating loss to St-Pierre while the former middleweight champion is still on rehabilitation following a broken leg injury during his second fight agianst Weidman in December 2013.
While the Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz fight is still months away, Cesar Gracie believes that his fighter will be able to defeat the former Brazilian champion and pound-for-pound king.
"Nick is hard to knock out, he was knocked out only once in the beginning of his career," Gracie told MMA Fighting. "Anderson is bigger than Nick, but he's turning 40 now and his chin is not the same anymore."
"If Nick can get in there and punch him, I think he wins this fight," he added.
While Nick Diaz is known for his boxing and accurate punching, Anderson Silva's claim to fame is his exceptional Muay Thai skills, using all his eight limbs for striking, and fighting in the clinch.
This is why Cesar Gracie also sees the entire fight standing, with either one of the fighters getting knocked out.
"I believe it's going to be a standup fight the entire time," Gracie explained. "Nick is better on the ground, his jiu-jitsu is better, but I believe it's going to be a standup fight and it won't last five rounds."
"I think it will be over before five rounds, someone will get knocked out," he added.
