Edwards vs. Diaz Predictions: Early UFC 262 Preview
We’re still a few weeks away from UFC 262, but the fight world is buzzing about what is expected to be a star-studded card. Headlining UFC 262 is Charles Oliveira, the submission specialist, as he takes on Michael Chandler in Oliveira vs. Chandler.
But, if we’re being completely honest, it’s the other co-main event that has everyone excited in Edwards vs. Diaz. That’s right, for the first time in 18 months, Nate Diaz is making his return to the octagon. Diaz is one of the most exciting and most popular fighters in the entire company and is sure to drive a ton of eyeballs to the fight.
Diaz’s opponent, Leon Edwards, is a force and overwhelming favorite. So, who is going to win Edwards vs. Diaz at UFC 262? Let’s take a look and go over some early Edwards vs. Diaz picks.
Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz Prediction
These are two fighters at very different points of their respective careers, and because of that the Edwards vs. Diaz odds are a bit skewed.
Leon Edwards is the No. 3 ranked welterweight in the entire world. If he is to beat Diaz at UFC 262, Leon Edwards could be in line for a shot at the best UFC fighter in the world, Kamaru Usman. He hasn’t lost a fight since 2015, when he fell via decision to Usman.
Edwards is a complete fighter, but doesn’t do anything at a true elite level. He’s a good striker, he’s good in contact and he can grapple. What Leon Edwards doesn’t do particularly well is finish fights.
Edwards is 18-3-0 and eight of those victories have come via decision, including five of his last six wins. His last time out in the octagon was ruled a no contest after an accidental eye poke rendered his opponent, Belal Muhammad, unable to continue fighting.
He is the better fighter here and shouldn’t have much trouble against Diaz. But what version of Nate Diaz will we see in Edwards vs. Diaz?
The last time we saw Nate Diaz in a UFC fight was 2019 as he took on Jorge Masvidal for the BMF belt. It was a massively entertaining slugfest, but in the end it was Masvidal that came out on top due to a doctor’s stoppage.
Now, just a few weeks away from Edwards vs. Diaz, the odds aren’t in his favour to get back to his winning ways.
I am pretty confident that Edwards will win this fight. Diaz isn’t the scrapper that he once was, despite being massively entertaining. But, I also am fairly confident that Edwards won’t finish Diaz.
In his career, Diaz has suffered one true KO/TKO and it came when a shin caught him square on the forehead during a high kick from Josh Thomson in 2013.
The man doesn’t quit. If I was going to bet on a finish it would be Diaz upsetting Edwards before the final bell.
We’re still a little far away to be giving out official picks as a lot of prop markets are yet to open. But the way I’m going to play it is by betting on Edwards to win via decision. His outright odds are too short to just take him to win at -440.
I’m extremely tempted to go with Diaz here as he’s one of my favorite fighters. But I think Edwards outlasts him in Edwards vs. Diaz at UFC 262.
Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz Pick
Edwards to win via Decision (Odds Pending)
Click here for full Edwards vs. Diaz odds
UFC 262 Expert Picks
This UFC 262 early preview is just a teaser. Make sure you check out our UFC picks section for the bestinsight around from Christian Broughton every week. Christian is one of the very best UFC handicappers in the business and always brings his unique perspective to the Octagon. Chrsitian's UFC picks go live every Wednesday. Be on the lookout this week for his UFC Fight Night picks and Predictions.
Nate Diaz Record
Below, find Nate Diaz's full professional MMA record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Date | Round | Time |
| Loss | 20–12 | Jorge Masvidal | TKO (doctor stoppage) | November 2, 2019 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 20–11 | Anthony Pettis | Decision (unanimous) | August 17, 2019 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Loss | 19–11 | Conor McGregor | Decision (majority) | August 20, 2016 | 5 | 05:00 |
| Win | 19–10 | Conor McGregor | Submission (rear-naked choke) | March 5, 2016 | 2 | 04:12 |
| Win | 18–10 | Michael Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | December 19, 2015 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Loss | 17–10 | Rafael dos Anjos | Decision (unanimous) | December 13, 2014 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 17–9 | Gray Maynard | TKO (punches) | November 30, 2013 | 1 | 02:38 |
| Loss | 16–9 | Josh Thomson | TKO (head kick and punches) | April 20, 2013 | 2 | 03:44 |
| Loss | 16–8 | Benson Henderson | Decision (unanimous) | December 8, 2012 | 5 | 05:00 |
| Win | 16–7 | Jim Miller | Submission (guillotine choke) | May 5, 2012 | 2 | 04:09 |
| Win | 15–7 | Donald Cerrone | Decision (unanimous) | December 30, 2011 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 14–7 | Takanori Gomi | Submission (armbar) | September 24, 2011 | 1 | 04:27 |
| Loss | 13–7 | Rory MacDonald | Decision (unanimous) | April 30, 2011 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Loss | 13–6 | Dong Hyun Kim | Decision (unanimous) | January 1, 2011 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 13–5 | Marcus Davis | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | August 28, 2010 | 3 | 04:02 |
| Win | 12–5 | Rory Markham | TKO (punches) | March 27, 2010 | 1 | 02:47 |
| Loss | 11–5 | Gray Maynard | Decision (split) | January 11, 2010 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 11–4 | Melvin Guillard | Submission (guillotine choke) | September 16, 2009 | 2 | 02:13 |
| Loss | 10–4 | Joe Stevenson | Decision (unanimous) | June 20, 2009 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Loss | 10–3 | Clay Guida | Decision (split) | January 31, 2009 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 10–2 | Josh Neer | Decision (split) | September 17, 2008 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 9–2 | Kurt Pellegrino | Submission (triangle choke) | April 2, 2008 | 2 | 03:06 |
| Win | 8–2 | Alvin Robinson | Submission (triangle choke) | January 23, 2008 | 1 | 03:39 |
| Win | 7–2 | Junior Assunção | Submission (guillotine choke) | September 19, 2007 | 1 | 04:10 |
| Win | 6–2 | Manvel Gamburyan | TKO (shoulder injury) | June 23, 2007 | 2 | 00:20 |
| Loss | 5–2 | Hermes França | Submission (armbar) | October 12, 2006 | 2 | 02:46 |
| Win | 5–1 | Dennis Davis | Submission (americana) | August 12, 2006 | 1 | 02:00 |
| Win | 4–1 | Joe Hurley | Submission (triangle choke) | June 15, 2006 | 2 | 02:03 |
| Win | 3–1 | Gilbert Rael | TKO (punches) | May 5, 2006 | 1 | 03:35 |
| Win | 2–1 | Tony Juares | TKO (punches) | March 10, 2006 | 1 | 03:23 |
| Loss | 1–1 | Koji Oishi | Decision (unanimous) | August 27, 2005 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 1–0 | Alejandro Garcia | Submission (triangle choke) | October 21, 2004 | 3 | 02:17 |
Leon Edwards Record
Below, find Leon Edwards' full professional MMA record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Date | Round | Time |
| NC | 18–3 (1) | Belal Muhammad | NC (accidental eye poke) | 13-Mar-21 | 2 | 00:18 |
| Win | 18–3 | Rafael dos Anjos | Decision (unanimous) | 20-Jul-19 | 5 | 05:00 |
| Win | 17–3 | Gunnar Nelson | Decision (split) | 16-Mar-19 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 16–3 | Donald Cerrone | Decision (unanimous) | 23-Jun-18 | 5 | 05:00 |
| Win | 15–3 | Peter Sobotta | TKO (punches) | 17-Mar-18 | 3 | 04:59 |
| Win | 14–3 | Bryan Barberena | Decision (unanimous) | 02-Sep-17 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 13–3 | Vicente Luque | Decision (unanimous) | 18-Mar-17 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 12–3 | Albert Tumenov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 08-Oct-16 | 3 | 03:01 |
| Win | 11–3 | Dominic Waters | Decision (unanimous) | 08-May-16 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Loss | 10–3 | Kamaru Usman | Decision (unanimous) | 19-Dec-15 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 10–2 | Pawel Pawlak | Decision (unanimous) | 18-Jul-15 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 9–2 | Seth Baczynski | KO (punches) | 11-Apr-15 | 1 | 00:08 |
| Loss | 8–2 | Cláudio Silva | Decision (split) | 08-Nov-14 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 8–1 | Shaun Taylor | KO (punch) | 13-Sep-14 | 3 | 03:30 |
| Win | 7–1 | Wayne Murrie | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 05-May-14 | 3 | 03:13 |
| Win | 6–1 | Wendle Lewis | KO (punches) | 14-Dec-13 | 1 | 01:20 |
| Win | 5–1 | Adam Boussif | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 13-Sep-13 | 1 | 02:10 |
| Win | 4–1 | Jonathan Bilton | TKO (knees) | 01-Dec-12 | 2 | 01:11 |
| Win | 3–1 | Craig White | Technical Decision | 03-Nov-12 | 2 | 05:00 |
| Loss | 2–1 | Delroy McDowell | DQ (illegal knee) | 25-Feb-12 | 3 | 02:40 |
| Win | 2–0 | Pawel Zwiefka | Decision (unanimous) | 19-Nov-11 | 3 | 05:00 |
| Win | 1–0 | Damian Zlotnicki | TKO (punches) | 05-Jun-11 | 1 | 02:15 |