The Ultimate Fighter 9 finale will take place tonight at The Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada. The big event, which will be broadcast live on Spike TV at 9:00pm ET, features a 10 fight card headlined by a throwdown between Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida. Also on the docket is a battle between two high profile lightweights, Joe "Daddy" Stevenson and Nate Diaz. Bookmaker BetUS.com has Diaz listed as a -165 moneyline favorite in their Joe Stevenson vs Nate Diaz Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale Odds.

Joe Stevenson, who at point was a challenger for the lightweight belt, is in desperate need of a win. "Daddy" has lost three of his last four fights and has shown an inability to get past the division's top fighters. The 27 year old father of four has fallen to B.J. Penn, Kenny Florian, and Diego Sanchez all within the past year and a half.

Stevenson left his California home in preparation for tonight's fight with Diaz, electing to train with MMA guru Greg Jackson in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Torrance native, who has a 34-10 professional record, is hoping the switch will bring about a different result in the Octagon. However, the veteran fighter knows beating Diaz will not be an easy task.

"I see a man that is very dangerous the whole time, not just at one point," Stevenson said. "Sometimes people think that they've got him in trouble and that's when he attacks. He's the most dangerous when you think he's at his weakest. And that's something I'm not going to let happen to me."

In contrast to Stevenson, Nate Diaz has won five of his last six fights. The Ultimate Fighter season 5 winner lost a split decision to Clay Guida in his last Octagon appearance (UFC 94 in January). 

The 24 year old Diaz is adept at fighting on his feet and his jiu-jitsu background makes him a formidable opponent on the ground as well. Stylistically, he could present the same kinds of problems that B.J. Penn did to Stevenson.

Diaz, who is 10-3, indicated that he is more than ready for tonight's scrap and that Stevenson better be as well.

"He's (Stevenson) one of the top guys in the division and it's going to be a tough fight," Diaz said. "I hope he's [trained] as hard as I [have]."

BetUS.com Joe Stevenson vs Nate Diaz Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale Odds:

Joe Stevenson +125

Nate Diaz -165

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