Neer is coming off a tough loss to Josh Burkman at UFC 61; Diaz is in need of a win, or at least a strong performance. Not much doing in the opening minute. Quick break because Neer lost his mouth guard. Diaz unleashes a flurry of punches up against the fence. Continues to rock Neer and push him backwards. Diaz hits a kick to the head and Neer makes a "bring it" gesture. Diaz is cut, but he continues to rain down punches. Neer answers with several big shots of his own and a knee. Diaz gets a final shot in just after the end of the round. Neer had his moments, but Diaz wins round 1.

They both come out swinging in round 2. Diaz continues to work on Neer and Neer keeps taking it. Diaz continues to rock "The Dentist" with punches and occasional kicks and knees. Herb Dean briefly stops the fight, but from where I'm sitting I can't see why. Back to action. Eventually Diaz backs Neer into the fence, and picks him up for a double leg. Diaz continues to rain down punches through Neer's guard, but Neer gets back up. Diaz continues to hit Neer, but either Neer is ridiculously tough or Diaz doesn't have much behind his shots. Neer rocks Diaz with a shot. Round ends with Diaz atop Neer. Diaz takes this round, too.

Round three ends up with Diaz right back on top of Neer. Long enough to sink in the kimura at 1:42. That was precisely the performance Diaz needed to get back on track.