Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

No one in the UFC has yet been able to figure out Nate Diaz, but Josh Neer sure came close.

It took a split-decision, but Diaz stayed unbeaten in the octagon by edging Neer in what essentially became an action-packed grappling exhibition at the Omaha (Neb.) Civic Auditorium.

Both Diaz and Neer wove their way into and out of trouble on the ground, and though neither fighter was able to finish, they both managed to put the other in trouble at several different moments of the bout. In the first, Neer tried a d’arce choke, then in the second, tried a guillotine. Diaz, meanwhile, used a couple of slick transitions, one from a knee bar to take Neer’s back as the first round ended, another taking Neer’s back later on after slipping out of a takedown try.

Diaz likely cemented the win by controlling most of the third, scoring an impressive early takedown, then another with a judo throw, earning full mount and pushing the action.

“I train hard, and I just work my ass off,” Diaz said. “I ain’t never quitting. But Josh is a tough dude. I wish him good luck in the future and hope he whips everyone else.”

Diaz moved to 5-0 in the UFC, and hasn’t lost a bout since being submitted by Hermes Franca during a WEC fight in Oct. 2006. Neer fell to 21-7-1.

In another lightweight bout, Clay Guida outlasted Mac Danzig to earn a unanimous decision victory.

Guida grinded his way to a win by keeping a relentless pace and scoring a series of takedowns that put him in control of the action for most of the bout’s duration. Danzig had his moments in the standup, but could not keep the position long enough to win rounds.

“You know what, he hit me pretty hard a couple times, but I knew I could take him down off transitions,” said Guida, who won his second straight in improving to 23-9. “He’s very slick on his back. I just wanted to put him on his back and hold him there.”

Danzig threatened in the third round with a takedown of his own, but likely realizing he was down in the fight, he gambled by trying a kimura. Guida, however, escaped and gained position by taking Danzig’s back. By the end of the third, Danzig was visibly frustrated with his inability to keep the fight standing.

SPECIAL FEATURE UFC Fight Night Photos Action from Diaz-Neer and all 10 matches.

Middleweight Alan Belcher won a razor-close split decision over Ed Herman in another undercard bout.

Belcher got the better of the standup portion of the fight, while Herman scored several takedowns, but was able to do little with any of them until the last minute of the bout, when he took Belcher down and quickly mounted him, throwing unanswered punches from the top until time expired. In a close fight, it could have been the difference, and Herman rose with his hands in the air, but two of the three judges disagreed, giving the decision to Belcher for his superior standup, utilizing crisp jabs and leg kicks to accumulate more damage.

In an exciting light-heavyweight fight, Eric Schafer returned to the UFC and back to the win column with a first-round submission over Houston Alexander.

After losing two straight fights in the octagon, Schafer received permission to fight outside the UFC and won a pair of bouts before returning.

The first few seconds didn't go well for him. He ate a couple of Alexander knees from the clinch early, but withstood the storm and eventually took the Nebraska native to the ground, where the Wisconsin-based black belt holds a distinct advantage. Schafer tried a guillotine, but Alexander pried himself free, only to find Schafer in full mount position. Schafer rained down punches and elbows from the mount, and then transitioned to an arm triangle. Alexander tapped out with seven seconds remaining in the round.

“I actually heard their corner say ‘there’s a minute left,” said Schafer, who dedicated his win to the late Evan Tanner. “I was throwing punches, but he didn’t seem to be hurt, so I had to go for the submission.”

In an untelevised bout, former IFL middleweight champion Dan Miller made a successful UFC debut, choking out Rob Kimmons via rear naked choke in just 87 seconds.

UFC to team up with troops
During the night, UFC President Dana White announced a special event scheduled for Dec. 10. Titled “UFC Fight for the Troops,” the evening will benefit Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The Fund’s goal is to build a facility dedicated to treatment of military personnel and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and psychological health issues. The card will take place in Fort Bragg, N.C.

Full results
Nate Diaz def. Josh Neer via split decision
Clay Guida def. Mac Danzig via unanimous decision
Alan Belcher def. Ed Herman via split decision
Eric Schafer def. Houston Alexander via arm triangle, Rd. 1
Alessio Sakara def. Joe Vedepo via KO, Rd. 1
Wilson Gouveia def. Ryan Jensen via arm bar, Rd. 2
Joe Lauzon def. Kyle Bradley via TKO, Rd. 2
Jason Brilz def. Brad Morris via TKO, Rd. 2
Mike Massenzio def. Drew McFedries via kimura, Rd. 1
Dan Miller def. Rob Kimmons via rear naked choke, Rd. 1

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