How successful was strikeforce’s “Diaz vs. Daley” event? It was, after all, the first event now that Strikeforce and the ufc are under the same umbrella. In terms of pure fight quality, it was a resounding success: a night of fights that saw a tough war (although it ended in a bizarre decision) and three dramatic stoppages. But who will be sitting on the sidelines for those stoppages, and how long? And how did the event do in the all-important ratings department? Read on for the full list of medical suspensions as well as a complete ratings breaking of “Diaz vs. Daley”.
We head first to Bleacher Report for a full list of “Diaz vs. Daley” medical suspensions, which stand as such:
Nick Diaz is suspended 60 days, with no contact for 60 days due to eye lacerations. Paul Daley is suspended 45 days, with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons. Tatsuya Kawajiri is suspended for 45 days, with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons. Keith Jardine is suspended 60 days, with no contact for 60 days due to right-eyebrow and nose lacerations. Hiroyuki Takaya is suspended 60 days, with no contact 60 days due to right-cheek laceration. Brett Albee is suspended 60 days, with no contact for 60 days due to nose and temple lacerations. Saad Awad is suspended 180 days, with no contact for 180 days due to fractured right hand, though he can be cleared early by a physician. A.J. Matthews is suspended 45 days, with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons. Paul Song is suspended indefinitely due to a possible right-elbow injury, though he can be cleared early by a physician.
Up next is a ratings breakdown courtesy of MMA Junkie. According to their report, the Showtime broadcast of “Diaz vs. Daley” averaged just over 525,000 viewers, with over 800,000 viewers tuning in to watch the night’s main event. Also according to their report, the rating was good enough to put “Diaz vs. Daley” in the top 5 most-watched Strikeforce events in the history of their partnership with Showtime, coming in at number four.
Above all else, I think these ratings perfectly demonstrate the drawing power of Nick Diaz. Wait, let me rephrase that: they reaffirm the drawing power of Nick Diaz. If MMA Junkie’s numbers are correct, that means that three of the top five most-watched shows in Strikeforce history have been headlined by Nick Diaz: “Diaz vs. Daley”, “Diaz vs. Cyborg”, and “Miami”, which featured a main event between Nick Diaz and Marius Zaromskis.
Laugh at him and make fun of him all you want, but I think these numbers prove that Nick Diaz wasn’t joking when he claimed to be the most underpaid and over-trained MMA fighter right now. The man is a wrecking machine on legs, and he’s the most dominant champion in Strikeforce history. I think it’s high time we all started giving Nick Diaz a little credit. He may give the occasional bizarre interview, but does any of that really matter when he steps into the cage and keeps on delivering?
Overall, I’m very glad Strikeforce earned such a high rating. With this being the first “Arena Series” show under Zuffa management, I was certainly hoping that the number would be high. Moving forward, I think Strikeforce will continue to put on fantastic shows so long as Strikeforce remains Strikeforce. What happens when the Showtime contract is up is anyone’s guess, but for now, I’m content to sit back and enjoy the ride for however long it lasts. Because ever since Strikeforce emerged as a top-level promotion, it’s been one of the best rides going.
And what about you, fans and friends? Any thoughts to the medical suspensions or the ratings?
“Strikeforce: Diaz vs Noons II” Medical Report: Noons with broken Jaw, out Six Months
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