Nick Diaz wants to fight GSP

[VolcomX311]

Strikeforce champ Nick Diaz says Georges St-Pierre just fine for his next opponent

by John Morgan on Feb 01, 2010 at 6:30 am ET
For as much praise as new Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz (21-7 MMA, 3-0 SF) receives for his grappling prowess, it's his voluminous striking attack that has led to his most recent surge in popularity.

Never was that more evident than in this past Saturday's "Strikeforce: Miami" main event, where Diaz defeated DREAM champ and vaunted striker Marius Zaromskis at his own game.

Now the question for Diaz becomes, "What's next?" And the scrappy Californian isn't afraid to ask for the best.

"I want to fight Georges St-Pierre," Diaz said. "That's the one fight I'm talking about."

Calling out the UFC's welterweight champion may prove an exercise in futility for Diaz. The company has stood by its vow not to cross-promote with other organizations, and every effort by fans, media and "crazy Russians" to get UFC brass to waver has fallen short.

Performances like Diaz's on Saturday night must get UFC president Dana White to at least take notice of the efforts of his former employee, but the likelihood of the exec offering up his champion is slim-to-none.

In the meantime, Diaz will have to find targets within Strikeforce's grasp.

Many observers believe Jay Hieron (19-4 MMA, 2-0 SF), who on Saturday fell victim to a technology failure and was once again unseen by fans not in attendance, should be next in line, but Diaz isn't so sure.

"I'd rather fight someone that's a little more important than Jay Hieron," Diaz said. "His fight wasn't even on the main card. Why am I going to fight him when no one saw [his fight]? I don't even know who he is.

"They keep bringing me these guys that nobody even knows who they are."

While Diaz's recent Strikeforce victims Scott Smith and Frank Shamrock might beg to differ, Diaz has a point. While his latest win will undoubtedly garner him further respect in the worldwide rankings at 170-pounds, Strikeforce might find it difficult to convince the public that bright prospects like Andre Galvao (3-1 MMA, 0-0 SF) or Tyron Woodley (6-0 MMA, 3-0 SF) are prepared for the matchup.

Fans have for years called for a rematch of a 2004 UFC bout between Diaz and current Strikeforce middleweight contender Robbie Lawler (17-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC), but the new 170-pound champion seemed to rule out that possibility.

"I fought Robbie before, and we fight at different weights (now)," Diaz said. "But we're friends as far as I'm concerned, so I don't even want to talk about something like that.

"Robbie Lawler's not talking [expletive] trying to fight me, so I'm not going to have anything bad to say about him."

A rematch with former EliteXC foe K.J. Noons (7-2 MMA, 0-0 SF), a recent Strikeforce signee, is also possible. But the bout would almost certainly be a catchweight affair, something that neither fighter would necessarily be keen to, and Noons is creeping up on two years without a mixed martial arts contest – a fact not lost on Diaz.

"Who is Noons?" Diaz asked. "He hasn't fought in forever. This guy doesn't even fight anymore. He quit. He's scared.

"What's he going to do? Is he going to fight or what?"

A rematch (or third meeting if you count their legendary post-fight hospital encounter) with Joe Riggs (32-11 MMA, 3-3 SF) was ruled out with "Diesel's" Saturday night loss to Hieron, so Diaz's next move is currently uncertain.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker seems to think a bout with DREAM fighter Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (35-10-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) could prove fruitful, but with the 34-year-old mired in an 0-2 slump and lacking a bankable name in the U.S., there is certainly no guarantee that the promotion's broadcast partners will buy into the plan.

So after notching his 10th win in his past 11 bouts, Diaz will sit back and wait for the smoke to clear. For his next appearance, Diaz asks only that his employers bring him the very best opponent – and paycheck – the sport has to offer.

"I want to fight the best," Diaz said. "I want to fight the people who everybody thinks is the best out there because they don't seem to notice me. They don't put me on any magazines. They don't put my brother on any magazines.

"Whoever you're going to pay me the most money to fight, I'm going to fight. ... I'm down to fight whoever."

For more on "Strikeforce: Miami," check out the MMA Events section of MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com).

Strikeforce champ Nick Diaz says Georges St-Pierre just fine for his next opponent | MMAjunkie.com

In a theoretical GSP/Diaz, I give it to GSP. Though Diaz has the ground sub game on GSP, GSP has the TD and ground control on Diaz. I wouldn't see GSP keeping it standing, and I don't see Diaz being able to stop him (in said theoretical fight).

[Rodja]

I'm so tired of Nick Diaz. He's a good fighter, but his antics are just annoying.

[AE14]

Diaz wouldnt stnad a chance

[johnnyjuice]

rodja i feel the same as you! if he fights gsp i hope he beats his as@ good!

[VolcomX311]

Diaz needs to beat noons before he can talk smack. Plus he fights guys that are 4-5 inches shorter than he is...thats why his hands look better than they are bacause he just stiff arms his punches. But if he really wanted some of gsp...he needs to got through at least three guys like kos, daily, saunders, alves etc.... he aint fightin nobody in strikeforce. Plus his brother did lose to gray...if you got 15 minutes to fight, then dont wait til 2 minutes left to try and finish..and then say you would have won if there were more time....omfg...gimme a break diaz bros...if you knock em out or tko em then it was a fluke, if you submit them then you got lucky, and if you win a descision then they got robbed because if they had another round they would have finished you. they got more excuses then anyone.

Not more then Tito

[Kristofer68SS]

lulz at thread title.

I would watch, Diaz might hang for a round or two.

I want Spider vs GSP.

[VolcomX311]

lulz at thread title.

I would watch, Diaz might hang for a round or two.

I want Spider vs GSP.

I want Spider v GSP, too, but I get the feeling that we're sort of in the minority. Whenever this is brought up, I read a lot of people brushing GSP off as a non-competitor against Silva; too short, too small, too Canadian. Though all those facts may be true, I believe that stylistically, GSP is Silva's cryptonite.

[Kristofer68SS]

I want Spider v GSP, too, but I get the feeling that we're sort of in the minority. Whenever this is brought up, I read a lot of people brushing GSP off as a non-competitor against Silva; too short, too small, too Canadian. Though all those facts may be true, I believe that stylistically, GSP is Silva's cryptonite.

oh, it would be a great fight.

Though, i believe spider wins.

[VolcomX311]

oh, it would be a great fight.

Though, i believe spider wins.

I'm split on this. I do feel as a general statement, that Silva the superior fighter in comparison to GSP, but I give GSP the TD/ground control strength, where his strength so happens to be Silva's "seemingly" only weakness.

I think a Silva/Machida fight would be even more epic (in theory), if they weren't friends.

[Kristofer68SS]

I'm split on this. I do feel as a general statement, that Silva the superior fighter in comparison to GSP, but I give GSP the TD/ground control strength, where his strength so happens to be Silva's "seemingly" only weakness.

I think a Silva/Machida fight would be even more epic (in theory), if they weren't friends.

wont happen, you can take that to the bank.

[VolcomX311]

wont happen, you can take that to the bank.

I know, thus the "(in theory)" caption

[LiveWire224]

Yeah? What do you hear about Echevierra and the Diaz brodders? What about them? What about Gaspar Gomez? What is he gonna do when you start moving 2000 keys?



F*ck Gaspar Gomez! And f*ck the f*ckin' Diaz brodders! f*ck 'em all! I bury those c0ckroaches! ! !

[Rodja]

lulz at thread title.

I would watch, Diaz might hang for a round or two.

I want Spider vs GSP.

GSP/Andy probably will never happen because GSP is going to try out for the Olympics at 163 lbs.

[AE14]

I doubt Anderson/GSP happens for a variety of reasons, but the olympics being a big reason, and Anderson is naturally much bigger. I do not see that lasting very long for GSP.

[Rodja]

I doubt Anderson/GSP happens for a variety of reasons, but the olympics being a big reason, and Anderson is naturally much bigger. I do not see that lasting very long for GSP.

GSP has just as good a chance as any other MW in the UFC. Andy's weakness is TD defense and GSP's strength is TD/GnP. Size would go to Andy, but I'd actually give the strength to GSP, especially since he works with so many other guys that are bigger than him and they all talk about his strength.

Total side note, but I think it's absolutely hilarious and hypocritical that so many people throw out AAS accusations at so many people, yet, somehow, Andy has come out unscathed in that department. There have been so many claims that he walks around at ~230 (which I say is total bull****), but thy all forget that he fought at 167 at the beginning of his career. Kinda makes me throw up an eyebrow or 2...

[AntonG42O]

GSP has just as good a chance as any other MW in the UFC. Andy's weakness is TD defense and GSP's strength is TD/GnP. Size would go to Andy, but I'd actually give the strength to GSP, especially since he works with so many other guys that are bigger than him and they all talk about his strength.

Total side note, but I think it's absolutely hilarious and hypocritical that so many people throw out AAS accusations at so many people, yet, somehow, Andy has come out unscathed in that department. There have been so many claims that he walks around at ~230 (which I say is total bull****), but thy all forget that he fought at 167 at the beginning of his career. Kinda makes me throw up an eyebrow or 2...

maybe because he doesnt have a sean sherk like physique? havent you see the videos of him devouring Micky D's

[Rodja]

maybe because he doesnt have a sean sherk like physique? havent you see the videos of him devouring Micky D's

It's not like he is very soft and that is a huge weight gain for anyone, let alone someone in a combat sport.

[AntonG42O]

It's not like he is very soft and that is a huge weight gain for anyone, let alone someone in a combat sport.

yea and most importantly, he hasnt even gotten slower with all that weight. in the forrest fight he was snappin punches just as quickly as at 185 2 years ago

[Mulletsoldier]

Some notes, brethren:

a) GSP was on a Francophone radio station as well as a domestic MMA T.V., program stressing that, despite rumors, the probability of him even attempting to qualify for the 2012 Olympics are massively blown out of proportion. The rumors themselves stemmed from his wrestling coach - a Montreal gym owner who does (or has) competed on the Canadian Men's team - claiming that GSP is "Olympic Caliber."

b) GSP is currently and has been for some time "bulking up," past his normal ~190 walking weight - ostensibly in preparation for a permanent move to MW. It is highly possible that GSP will have one more fight in 2010 (after Hardy) at WW, and then spend the remainder of the calendar year transitioning to a 210 walking weight in order to compete at MW.

c) Size seems to be an irrelevant factor in a Spider/GSP fight, save for Anderson's length: if he can effectively establish range, then he could possibly negate GSP's TD attempts. That fact notwithstanding, Anderson does not effectively use his size and strength - though his Thai Clinch seems to suggest he is strong - and I simply cannot see him having the advantage in that aspect.

d) Out of the current, probable fights for Anderson, GSP has by far and away the most viable opportunity to defeat him, and do so convincingly. This victory would be contingent on a wide-range of factors, and obviously Anderson's fight against Vitor will give us some insight on how the Spider handles an explosive athlete - that is, unless you consider Chris Leben an explosive athlete! To date, Anderson has not faced a top ten pound-for-pound opponent, and I am highly interested in seeing this fight, if for no other reason than that. You could make the case that both Florian for Penn, and Fitch, Alves and Penn for GSP were all top-ten pound-for-pound at the time of their fight. I think it is amazing how readily Anderson crushed a top-five LHW, though.

[AE14]

I think the length will be the biggest issue for Anderson. However, I will say this, I would not be the least bit surprised to see GSP a permanent fixture at 185 and Anderson a more frequent competitor at 205, especially if Shogun is able to defeat Machida. A Shogun v. Anderson title fight would be interesting.