Ozzy Diaz overcome with emotion after first 15-minute fight, pre-UFC 313 adversity
LAS VEGAS – Ozzy Diaz beat Djorden Santos with a unanimous decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Diaz, who had to go 15 minutes for a win for the first time in his career.
Ozzy Diaz def. Djorden Santos
Result: Ozzy Diaz def. Djorden Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Diaz (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Santos (10-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: Diaz and Santos landed the eighth most combined strikes in UFC middleweight history – 270 total, with Diaz with a narrow edge at 136-134. Even where they landed their strikes was nearly even.
Mar 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ozzy Diaz (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Djorden Santos (not pictured) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Diaz on the fight’s key moment
“He’s a very tough man. I don’t know what his game plan was, but I was a little too patient in the first round. Being patient and being kind to my own mind is what won me that fight. There were some crazy exchanges. He caught me good, but just resetting at all times (helped).”
Diaz on going three rounds
“This is a new feeling for me. It’s the first time I’ve gone 15 minutes, and it’s very uncomfortable. I’m in a lot of pain, but I’m all right. I’m good. … I sacrifice a lot to be here – everything I love. I went all in on this camp. I worked on myself so much in this camp.”
https://twitter.com/UFCEurope/status/1898538515182367077
Diaz on what he wants next
“I need to heal up first, but we’ll talk to my coaches and see where we go.”
To hear more from Diaz, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.