This past weekend’s UFC 244 marked the promotion’s 500th live event, and the organization is marking the occasion with “an internally curated list of 500 Unforgettable Moments from UFC history.”
Scheduled to be released in seven installments, UFC Fight Pass 500 Moments shines a spotlight on some of the most memorable highlights – and lowlights – from the UFC’s 26-year run, both in and out of the cage.
UFC Fight Pass officials have committed to sharing video of a few of those key moments with MMA Junkie, as well. Today, it’s cleverly numbered moment No. 420, when the mercurial Nick Diaz introduced the world – including fellow MMA legend Robbie Lawler – to the Stockton Slap at UFC 47 on April 2, 2004.
Here’s how the UFC set up the iconic strike:
No. 420: THE STOCKTON SLAP
There’s no telling how long it has been around the 209, but UFC fans across the globe were introduced to the Stockton Slap at UFC 47 when Nick Diaz took on Robbie Lawler. After stalking around the Octagon letting the world… and more importantly, Robbie Lawler, know that Stockton, CA was in the building, Diaz landed the signature open hand. The slap put a confused smile on the face of Lawler and just in time for Lawler to wipe the grin off his face and get his head back into the fight, Diaz followed it up with a shot that left him wobbling. The Slap was eventually taken overseas to Japan where Diaz dusted it off in Pride, then to Strikeforce before bringing it back to the UFC and being most generous with his slaps in his fight with Carlos Condit. Although Nick Diaz hasn’t seen time in the Octagon for almost 5 years now, the Slap has lived on through his brother Nate who has taken the Slap to new heights, giving out plenty of his own that are reserved for the A-Listers such as Anthony Pettis, Conor McGregor, even Dana White. STOCKTON!
Full fight here: https://www.ufc.tv/video/nick-diaz-vs-robbie-lawler-ufc-47
The first installment of the list is currently live at UFC.com.
Check out a few more memorable moments below:
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UFC Fight Pass 500 Moments video: Nick Diaz's 'Stockton Slap' is No. 420
