Nate Diaz (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

According to the judges, Leon Edwards bested Nate Diaz for the decision victory at UFC 263. But, the way the Diaz sees it, if it wasn’t for the clock and final horn, he would have won.

Edwards outscored Diaz in many exchanges throughout the opening four rounds, and landed several takedowns. In round five, however, Diaz badly stunned the well-rounded fighter with a booming left.

The welterweight managed to hang on until the final horn, however, and was awarded the decision win. While discussing how close he was to finishing Edwards afterward, Diaz said this (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Fight was a wrap,” Diaz said. “In a real fight in the real world, that’s a wrap. So, yeah. He was sleep-walking.”

The 36-year-old Diaz  also reported that a cut he incurred in training camp, impacted his motivation to prepare for the post-poned bout.

“I got cut in training, that’s why we had to push the fight back for a month. I kind of lost all motivation to train and work out hard and all that, so I kind of just lingered around for a month to get ready for war like that. At the end of the day, I feel like he won or whatever, but I feel like I’m the better fighter still regardless, and I feel like the peak of the fight is what matters anyway in the end.

“No hate on Leon, congratulations to him and why would you fight anybody but the top guy if you’re going to fight at all,” Diaz said. “I wish it would’ve went my way, but it’s all good.”

The loss dropped Diaz’s record to 20-13. Edwards, meanwhile, now carries a record of 19-3, with 1 no contest.