After Strikeforce welterweight champion “Diablo” Nick Diaz (21-8) TKO’d DREAM welterweight champion “Whitemare” Marius Zaromskis (11-3) at Strikeforce in Miami last Saturday, he called out Fighters.com and UFC welterweight champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (19-2).
“I want to fight Georges St. Pierre,” Diaz told the post-fight press conference in Miami. “If they give me an option, that’s the only fight I’m talking about. I want to fight the best. I want to fight the people that everybody thinks is the best out there.”
Whoa, son. Slow down.
Fighters.com is as big of a Diaz fan as anyone, but let’s all be honest about who Diaz is and why we love him. Diaz is a bulldog-tough, talented fighter that loves to mix it up before, during, and after fights.
But, Diaz had a run in the UFC’s welterweight division. He beat guys like “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (17-5) and Drew Fickett (35-6), but lost to “The Heat” Karo Parisyan (18-5), ninth-ranked lightweight “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-3), and tenth-ranked lightweight “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1). Note that two of those guys have since dropped to lightweight.
But, even more ridiculous is who Diaz said he wouldn’t fight.
“I’d rather fight somebody that’s a little more important than Jay Hieron.[His] fight wasn’t even on the main card, so why am I going to fight him?”
True, “Thoroughbred” Jay Hieron (16-4) fought on the undercard in Miami, primarily due to politics, not popularity or talent. In fact, Strikeforce had to scramble to stream the fight due to the outrage from MMA fans that Hieron wouldn’t be televised. But, in that fight Hieron beat “Diesel” Joe Riggs (31-11), a fighter who beat Diaz at UFC 57. Why are you going to Hieron, Nick? Because he just beat a guy you couldn’t beat. There’s a good reason.
Diaz also said, “Who is [KJ Noons]? He hasn’t fought forever. This guy doesn’t even fight anymore or something or quit, is scared.”
Again, Diaz must’ve taken to many hits to the head or hits off the pipe because I can tell you who KJ Noons (7-2) is. He’s the guy TKO’d Diaz for the EliteXC 165-pound title in 2007. The fight was stopped by a doctor due to the damage Diaz took to his face from Noons’s boxing attack.
Diaz is certainly more popular than either Hieron or Noons, but that’s just marketing, not fighting. And, Diaz has certainly improved since his losses in the UFC, but then prove it in the cage. Both Hieron or Noons are legit matchups for Diaz.
St. Pierre, however, is not. I would actually be afraid for Diaz if he fought St. Pierre, because I like Diaz so much. And, I know there’s no quit in Diaz. St. Pierre would so outclass Diaz that Diaz’s life would be in danger because he simply wouldn’t quit. He’d absorb it all until someone threw in the towel or the doctor stopped the fight.
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GSP would wrestle Diaz but Diaz would fight GSP. St Pierre wants to avoid a fight and is why he’s ducking true fighters. He’ll never be a legend. Diaz is fighting!
Nothing like the Love the Diaz bro’s have… those guys are tuff, angry dudes. But…that will not beat GSP anytime.
GSP VS Disco Silva @ 175=GSP winner Nick will be in the audience not the ring!
WOwwwwwwwwww fuck tha media, i LOOOOOVE how this person writing tries to make it seem like he’s not the bad guy buy saying how he likes Nick and thinks he’s a good fighter. Whoever wrote this article is a huge douche bag who can suck a huge penis for going so low as to talk shit on Diaz because he smokes weed! wowww it’s 2010 and we all know that smoking marijuana doesnt make you RETARDED you piece of shit writer! Nick stays active and has incredible cardio even though they say smoking weed affects your lungs, HAHAH! Nick Diaz might have lost to some fighters in the UFC but he was very VERY young and has grown alot more. Do i think he was a little out there for calling out GSP? YESS!! but he has to act confident and thats not even an act thats jus how he is. Karo was definitely at his prime when he was in the UFC and diaz wasn’t, Diego hasn’t shown much improvemnt either he’s the same fighter as we saw in Sanchez vs Riggs. Then there Sean Sherk, who i have nothing against but he was found to have been taking steroids you idiot so you can’t even bring Diaz’s loss into the picture you dumbass!!!!!
@Chad Edward
agreed, Diaz should fight hieron, if for nothing else because he choose strikeforce over ufc for that very reason. Comparing Riggs now to Riggs 5 or so years ago is a bit of a nothing point- both fighters have changed and developed in different ways since that fight- but having said that I would like to see Diaz Riggs 2 or even Noons in the near future before/ if he moves on just to settle some scores. Diaz should and will have to fight his way back to the ufc, but as long as Dana (Vince Mcmahon) White is in charge, Diaz will have to wait until gsp and mauled a few more contenders- starting with Dan hardy
@Chad Edward
I totally get the point you’re making … I’m just disagreeing. Agreeing with the part that he just wouldn’t quit, that’s Nick’s style, but that’s not a bad quality to have in a fighter at all. Bones have been broken and faces have been shred. I guess I’m just not buying into your idea that GSP is such a threat to the lives of fighters and so unequivocally untouchable especially by Nick (this is all really funny cuz GSP is in my top 5 favorite fighters). Again, I totally agree that rankings and practically/officially speaking (as in GSP’s in UFC and Diaz is in SF etc.) Nick should not actually fight GSP right now obviously, but talent and logically speaking I totally think he could fight GSP and I think he would totally have a shot at winning. Again, he didn’t officially challenge the UFC WW champ, he was just mouthing off in an interview – it’s not the first time it’s happened. Disagree that striking-wise GSP is unarguably ahead of Diaz (I think Nick has proven more than once that his striking is ridiculously effective even against other effective strikers), in the clinch I agree GSP is probably better (even though Diaz just kneed MZ like 40 times in the clinch, but yeah georges would never let that happen) and definitely a better wrestler but GSP and Nick Diaz are both the best all-around athletes in the sport and GSP better submissions? hmmmmm … have you watched any of Nick’s fights? and I don’t recall Nick ever losing by submission …
and as far as Hieron goes, we just have a difference of opinion cuz I will never praise a fighter for laying on someone for the win and I definitely would never reward that fighter if I were a judge or the ref or a matchmaker. “Hieron … is right on Diaz’s level in talent.” yeah, we have a bigtime difference of opinion!!
Great discussion-provoking article! I look forward to your next!
@diablofan
@seb
Let me clarify my remark about St. Pierre being dangerous for Diaz. In one way, it’s a criticism of Diaz because I think St. Pierre is legitimately on a different level. I think St. Pierre is a better striker, better in the clinch, a better wrestler, a better athlete, and equal to Diaz’s submission game. However, in another way it’s a compliment to Diaz because what I meant to convey is that no matter how overmatched Diaz would be versus St. Pierre, no matter what damage Diaz might take versus St. Pierre, Diaz wouldn’t stop. His face could get shredded like it did versus Noons and Diaz wouldn’t quit. He could get bones broken and wouldn’t quit.
So, in that way I understand what you’re both saying and I actually agree. Diaz is one of the toughest fighters in MMA. But, to my other point, MMA isn’t a street fight. It’s a sport with rules. In MMA (at least in the American version of it), you can’t be the guy who can take the most shots to the head until you find a submission. Because, if that’s your strategy, your time might run out. With Diaz, it has previously. But, those are the rules. In non-title fights, you get 15 minutes to stop a guy or a judge decides your fate. And if you’ve just been taking damage waiting for a submission that you never found, you’re going to lose. That’s a legit loss too. There’s no, “but, if the fight had been longer…” It’s not longer. It’s 15 minutes. Go in, get the job done in regulation time, and you win. If you don’t, you lose.
And, further, Hieron had the same 15 minutes with Riggs and was able to get the job done. Diaz had 15 minutes with Riggs and couldn’t get the job done. Hieron isn’t on Diaz’s level in popularity, but is right on Diaz’s level in talent. It’s a fair matchup.
@Chad Edward
ok, you’re missing the point. The point I was trying to make was that you can’t count Diaz’s losses in the ufc against him as a fighter. Yes he got beat, but he wasn’t defeated. So to say it would be dangerous for Diaz to fight GSP based on those losses is daft as he wasn’t convincingly beat. I personally think Diaz would cause more problems for GSP than anyone in the UFC at the minute but I agree, Diaz should fight his way back to the ufc through Noons and Heiron. I’m sure he’ll oblige
@Chad Edward
Never claimed MZ was at the top of any lists, simply stated he’s a good fighter.
The point I was trying (and evidently failing) to make is that your statement “St. Pierre would so outclass Diaz that Diaz’s life would be in danger” is a little over the top. I think it would apply if say Herschel Walker was calling out GSP, but Diaz … really? And I specifically said “not saying he’s 100% ready.” My entire argument is simply that I don’t think you should dismiss Diaz so definitively. I’m agreeing that he should fight Hieron next if only for the fact that their last matchup didn’t happen because of Nick pretty much. Hieron seems to be the obvious #1 contender in SF – not that that’s saying too much. And Diaz isn’t officially “turning down” any fights, he is simply answering honestly (as he does) in an interview and really, I haven’t been all that impressed with Hieron either so if I were a fighter I wouldn’t be setting my sites on him. I think Nick is just voicing his frustration at the lack of suitable competition where he’s at right now. I think he’s jonzing for another Gomi challenge to his skills or something.
Nick did lose the fights he lost because his opponents were better at winning, but I think what we’re trying to say is that there’s a difference between being a better all-round fighter and being a better decision taker. Those fights that Diaz lost, didn’t showcase his lack of talent or even the opponent’s overwhelming talent, it showcased that there’s another side to mma than simply the fight and it involves judges and points (and many people disagree on how the points even come about – many of them being the fighters themselves). In a sport where your record is your resume, it’s sad to think that cecil peoples and like-judges are writing that resume! I personally think that snuffing a takedown should be +1 for the person doing the snuffing, not an even stevens approach, cuz you were better than your opponent and you kept the fight where YOU wanted it, not to mention this whole “well he’s on top therefore he’s the one in control” issue that’s been around cuz Nick often chooses to be on the bottom. So in my opinion, those losses don’t dismiss him as a great fighter/contender either. As far as Noonz goes I think it’s more about the beef for Nick to say he isn’t worthy cuz I definitely need to see that rematch cuz I don’t do the would’ve could’ves and I was worried during that fight. But when BJ Penn came back to the UFC, he had to work his way back up the ranks cuz he was gone for so long. And people were pissed when Shawn Sherk came back to the UFC after the whole steroid thing, and he got to fight BJ the reigning LW champ immediately. So I don’t know … I’m a bit of a rambler
@seb
I’m not being sarcastic. You’re being irrational. I’ve never read so many “would bes” and ifs” in such a short paragraph. I don’t know what “would be” or “if”. That’s just a way to avoid talking about facts. Well, all I know is facts. The fact is the sport is defined by rules. It’s not a street fight. Diaz lost fights to Joe Riggs, KJ Noons, Diego Sanchez, Karo Parisyan, Sean Sherk, etc. because he wasn’t as good at the sport as they were. It’s that simple. That’s why you lose, because you’re not as good. And, I agree with you, Diaz has got better at the sport since then, so he has to prove that by climbing the rankings by beating guys like Hieron and Noons.
@Chad Edward @ Chad, you know what I mean when I say ‘they know how to win fights’ so don’t get all sarcastic you prick. The fight is judged as 3 individual units instead of a whole event so the wrestlers know to keep from gettin damaged then score a take down towards the end to secure the round. Check out Joe Rogan’s blog on why pride was better than ufc. Diaz said himself that he has wised up to this now anyway, so it would be a different story if he fought those guys again. No one give diaz a chance against Gomi either n he proved he can compete with the best. To say Diaz is no better than Noons is daft. If the Noons fight had been allowed to go on (like the Gomi fight) I’m sure diaz would have resorted to his bjj n passed on the stand up until noons faded. I personally don’t think anyone can touch GSP but diaz is as close as anyone. He needs to get back in the ufc to make some serious money so he calls out there number one guy. Simple
@ Chad, you know what I mean when I say ‘they know how to win fights’ so don’t get all sarcastic you prick. The fight is judged as 3 individual units instead of a whole event so the wrestlers know to keep from gettin damaged then score a take down towards the end to secure the round. Check out Joe Rogan’s blog on why pride was better than ufc. Diaz said himself that he has wised up to this now anyway, so it would be a different story if he fought those guys again. No one give diaz a chance against Gomi either n he proved he can compete with the best. To say Diaz is no better than Noons is daft. If the Noons fight had been allowed to go on (like the Gomi fight) I’m sure diaz would have resorted to his bjj n passed on the stand up until noons faded. I personally don’t think anyone can touch GSP but diaz is as close as anyone. He needs to get back in the ufc to make some serious money so he calls out there number one guy. Simple
@Seb
“The only reason Diaz lost those fights in the ufc was because they all knew how to win fights…” I think that line of logic speaks for itself. The only reason Diaz lost is because his opponents know how to win? Well…yeah, that’s the point.
@diablofan
Diaz did just whip Zaromskis, as the title of the article says. But, so? Zaromskis is nowhere near the top of the division. In fact, Hieron is closer to the top than Zaromskis. Diaz hasn’t put together the record to legitimately call out St. Pierre.
Which brings me to my second point, Diaz is turning down the types of fights he needs to build up to being able to legitimately call out St. Pierre. I didn’t say X + Y = Hieron would beat Diaz. What I said was that Diaz acts like Hieron isn’t in his league, but Hieron just beat a guy Diaz couldn’t. And, as far as running out of time, if that’s your argument why Diaz lost to Riggs, Hieron did it within regulation time. So, I’m not saying Hieron beats Diaz. I’m saying it’s ridiculous for Diaz to act like Hieron isn’t his league. And, as far as Noons goes – that’s strict MMA math. Noons TKO’d Diaz, X+Y = Noons TKO over Diaz. So, how is Diaz going to act like Noons isn’t in his league when he already lost to him? A rematch, Diaz might win, but the point is, Noons is at least a legit challenger due to having already TKO’d Diaz.
I love Nick Diaz, will always look forward to his fights and support him. But, let’s have a little perspective here. St. Pierre is a dangerous matchup for Diaz.
WELL SAID! DIAZ HAS SOME/MOST OF THE BEST FIGHTS EEEEVVVVEEERRR (that’s ever) He’s a fighter’s fighter, Mad Respect to Diaz, He isn’t afraid of anyone, and HE would crush Riggs & k.j Now, Hell he could probably avenge all his loses. you know what’s up. @diablofan
yes sir, I agree. @Seb
thanks to the author for being one of the few to report on mma without a fanboy Strikeforce v ufc spin.. unlike some people posting. nick diaz has not earned a shot at gsp. has he beaten thiago alves? josh koshek? hell even mike swick? what about karo parisyan? oh yeah they met, diaz lost. Maybe lower that bar a lil since he couldnt beat ufc gatekeepers in the day. Fact is during his time in elite xc his record has been inflated with matches he almost certainly would win. As for heiron id say strikeforce management are the ones blocking that fight regardless what diaz says, noone wants their champ to take the belt to another org. I love watching this guy fight but please be realistic when you post comments.
I wanna see GSP goin all anderson silva and fighting middle weights
PS Diablofan: “as a nick diaz retardofan” ye i agree with that part.
To anyone that believes that Diaz would stand a chance ask yourselves this question. If guys like Fitch, Alves, and Penn couldn’t do shit to GSP in the stand-up or the ground then what makes you think Diaz would do better? This is typical Sherdog logic, if a popular fighter does well against a decently ranked opponent the all of a sudden he’s good enough to take on the champion.
jeez dramatic much?? i don’t think gsp has put such a beating on someone to where we thought their *life was in danger* and diaz is arguably better than most of gsp’s opponents. not saying he’s 100% ready, but i don’t think it’s that carazy of an idea for diaz to fight gsp seeing as he pretty much just anderson-silva’d a really good fighter. as an mma fan in general, i would DIE to see gsp diaz so long as diaz works on his takedown defense. i think standing up, diaz would give gsp a run for his money, and on the ground i think if the fight had no timelimit, diaz would eventually submit gsp, but unfortunately for the diaz brothers, 15mins is all they’ve got (usually). these fighters can’t win – if they don’t wanna fight the best, then they’re pussies, if they do call out the best, then “whoa son. slow down.” and those stream of losses at the end of the ufc days were more about lack of game-play than lack of fighting talent and nick has said himself that he’s wised-up to fighting for the judges in some ways. i think we all know that diaz will fight anyone at any time (weeel, with at least 3 weeks notice or however long it takes to detox) so for you to subtly imply that he’s scared of fighting hieron or noonz is simply not true. and i HATE the whole “well, fighter x lost to fighter z and fighter y just beat fighter z, so therefore fighter x would clearly lose to fighter y” mathematics … as a nick diaz retardofan i can say that the only time i was a little disappointed after one of his fights was after that riggs fight, and fighters should be allowed to have a day where they weren’t 100% there (mm hm matt serra gsp) all diaz’s other losses are some of my favorite fights ever!
i think diaz would give gsp a hell of a fight dan hardys good but not that good he has no ground game and his stand up is not that great in the other hand diaz stand up is ok
and is a black belt in bjj.
I think you’re talking rubbish. Diaz might not beat GSP but hes the closest to him including those guys in the ufc. The only reason Diaz lost those fights in the ufc was because they all knew how to win fights- take down points! its pathetic. He lost several split decisions to fighters he could beat- he just ran out of time. The only person I’m scared for is Dan Hardy- that is dangerous
Finally a media who talk about the real thing. I like Strikeforce because I can see more mma fights and because Scott seems to be down to earth, but their fighters (mostly ex-ufc) are starting to lose some perspective lately. Josh Thompson calling out bj, Lashley saying he would have kill all the TUF 10 fighter and now is calling for the belt ????? And now Diaz…