"I fought like garbage and I'm sorry to my fans for my performance. I was hesitant about throwing hard punches because I kept thinking he was going to go for a takedown. It looked like I was knocked down in the second but actually he stepped on my foot and when I tried to back out I slipped. I really don't think I'm going to stay at 155lbs. I don't make enough money to have to drop this much weight so I'd like to fight at 170 and only go to 55's every once in awhile. You know if you look at his face compared to mine right now you'd think there was no way he beat me in a fight but I've never been too popular with the judges." -Nate Diaz

The Ultimate Fighter season 5 winner Nate Diaz gives his thoughts to GracieFighter.com about his split decision loss to Gray Maynard at last night's UFC Fight Night 20. The lanky Ceaser Gracie product looks poised to join his brother Nick and make the move up to the welterweight division.

The move could perhaps bring about a much-needed change for Diaz, who has lost three of his past four bouts, with previous losses coming to Joe Stevenson and Clay Guida. Diaz's move to welterweight would put more size on his lanky six-foot frame and with his sharp boxing skills and dangerous ground game, he would be a competitive match up for a number of UFC welterweights.

Diaz would be following in his older brother Nick's footsteps if he makes the move. Nick Diaz has bounced around through multiple weight divisions during his career, fighting at lightweight, welterweight and most recently catchweight bouts of 179 and 180 lbs. The elder Diaz will move back to welterweight in his next outing when he takes on DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis at Strikeforce: "Miami" on Jan. 30 for the promotion's vacant welterweight title.

Despite his recently slump, Nate Diaz has put together a solid 6-3 record in nine fights with the UFC, scoring notable Octagon wins over the likes of Manny Gamburyan, Kurt Pellegrino, Josh Neer and Melvin Guillard.