Nick Diaz Ready for War, is KJ Noons Ready for a "Real Fight"?
By: Oliver Saenz Posted On: October 2, 2010 at 8:30am
Current strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz fears no man and believes no hype. It’s one of the reasons why so many fans are looking forward to his second go-round with the highly-talented KJ Noons. Their first encounter saw a TKO win in Noons’ favor due to a cut, a controversial loss that gave birth to a highly-combative rivalry that has faded into the background at times but has never truly went away. In a recent YouTube video, Diaz gave us all some food for thought in typical Nick Diaz fashion.
The video was posted on the Strikeforce Films channel, and here’s what Nick had to say: “Win or lose, I just want to fight… If I’m going to lose, can I lose for real? I’m ready for my ass whooping, if I’m going to take an ass whooping then I’m ready. But let me take my ass whooping if that’s how it’s going to be. I’m born for that, I’m ready for that. I get paid for that…. [KJ Noons] had no business being in the main event of a show [in the first fight] anyway. Who was he? Nobody knew who KJ Noons was… He takes good match-ups for him, so this will probably be a real fight for him now. I don’t think he’s changed too much… I however have gotten a lot better.”
This latest interview further proves that Nick Diaz is all bad boy all the time. There is no “off” switch on his “gangsta mode”. But the man makes some interesting points. The debate on whether or not a fight should be called off due to a cut is one so large that it could take up an entire article by itself, so I’ll only say that I think that Diaz could have still fought when the stoppage occurred. Whether or not Noons deserved to be in the main event is also open to interpretation, although the fact remains that Noons was 1-1 in the now-defunct EliteXC promotion when he got his shot at becoming the first EliteXC Lightweight Champion. So Nick Diaz may have a point there.
I also agree that Diaz has changed drastically while Noons hasn’t changed that much, but that’s actually a compliment to both fighters. KJ’s hands were always deadly and technical, but now they’re edging into pinpoint-precise. On the other hand, after years of working on the equation Diaz has finally found a way to balance out his “punches in bunches” style and make it work. Both men are better off for their efforts, and both are better fighters.
I think this is going to be a very good fight that marks the second chapter in a superbly bitter rivalry. Someone is more than likely going to get knocked out in this one. My money, however, has been and will continue to be on Nick Diaz. I used to dislike him quite a lot for quite a long while, and he does still get on my nerves from time to time, but I’m unbiased enough to admit that he’s begun to emerge as one of the world’s best welterweights. I’m really looking forward to this fight, and even if Strikeforce’s welterweight division isn’t much to look at right now, I think Noons/Diaz 2 will be one of the biggest fights of the year.
And what about you, fans and friends? Who wins the rematch and how?
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Comments
Diaz wins this rematch by knockout around the end of the second round! Noons is a good, well rounded fighter with lots of power; but he’s not been in a real war yet. And Diaz brings HELL with him in every fight! I just don’t see KJ holding up to the pressure when Nick brings the heat. The history between these 2 guys has me chomping at the bit in anticipation! Can’t wait till Oct. 9th!!!!!
Nick Diaz lost his first fight with K. J. Noons by going on the offensive with his face. Everyone seems to think those cuts (plural) got there by magic. K.J. Noons ate Nick’s lunch and to spend the intervening three years denying this clearly demonstrates that Nick Diaz is a whiner and a poor loser. His “age or IQ” middle finger salutes to all and sundry only serve to reinforce what I’m saying. The referee in that fight did Nick a favor because he was going to get really hurt if they let it continue. Why can’t Nick admit that and move on?
Watch him if he loses on October 9th. You’ll see his true colors. Watch him if he wins on October 9th, you’ll see his true colors. The sad part is that he has so many fans because of, or in spite of his unprofessional behavior. And don’t give me that line about his upbringing or how he’s a fighter and fighters fight, they don’t talk….It’s all excuses. The guy has a responsibility to the sport and to children watching his matches.
When K.J. wins again what will the excuse be this time?
I just heard the media call that featured KJ Noons talking trash about Nick Diaz. Nick didn’t miss out on anything special by not making the call! He did however accomplish to piss Noons off with his no call no show. Noons does not impress me in the least amount; and a major reason for this is the fact that he gave up his 160 pound title instead of agreeing to a rematch with his nemisis Nick Diaz. Sure he says it was because he was gonna get 3 times less to defend the belt; but gimme a break Noons,you were scared then & you are scared now! Diaz fought Shamrock, whipped his ass good; & made about 10 times less money to do so! What’s your excuse? You are all about the bigger payday but not willing to put that ass on the line now in order to make it happen further down the line!
@Doug MacIlroy
Nick, I think is to proud to admit to anything like this! Admittedly so; he got served with an ass whoopin that first time against Noons! But he was expecting the eyes to cut. This leads one to believe that it was a pre-existing problem. you can’take anything away from Noons for exposing this to the world; he turned Nick into a Bloody mess! However, I think the results will be differrent this time around; after all Diaz has had some work done on the eyes in an effort to not open up so easily. He’s also hungry for this rematch, not hesitating to redeem himself in his own eyes; not caring what anyone thinks. I don’t see any excuses this time round; I just see Nick helping Noons up & bowing to him with respect after he knocks this chump out. everyone will see come October 9. No excuses.
Nick Diaz is a very good fighter. I don’t think KJ Noons will we able to come out with a win. I do want to say Nick Diaz cannot see that what he does outside of the ring matters. Whether public figures like it or not, they are judged on what they do everywhere. Some things can be forgiven. Others are harder to forgive. I think that in Mixed Martial Arts, the expectation of sportsmanship and respectful demeanor is much higher than other sports, and definitely much higher than in the entertainment industry. I hope Nick Diaz works on his spirit so that he evolves as a human being and becomes a better example to his fans. I also hope that if he damages MMA again with outbursts or being a part of a brawl, that Strikeforce will be smart enough to drop him. Maybe that’s the only way he will begin to get it.
Hey Mike,
If Nick Diaz beats Noons and then helps him up and bows to him with respect I would change my tune about him in a heartbeat. Choosing not to fight Nick earlier was a business decision by K.J. Doesn’t mean anything other than K.J. didn’t think too much of the clowns in Elite XC, Jared and Artie Shaw. Standing your ground with those guys and walking your talk doesn’t make Noons a chump. Acting like Nick Diaz acts does. It’s pretty simple.
I’ve got a friend who’s fought Nick who thinks Nick will win the fight, but I’ll be pulling for K.J. just so people will see the theatrics of the Diaz camp following the match. I think it’s going to be a good fight. I have a strong feeling it will go to the ground as soon as Nick can get it there. If K.J. stays on the ground, it’s over for him eventually. If Nick decides to stand with him I think he’ll get caught again and again by Noons’ superior boxing and the decision, not a knockout, will go to Noons.
But you never know, do you? One good punch is all it takes. Witness Crazy horse and Noons. God, I hope that doesn’t happen again.
Anyway, good luck to you and your fighter. Going to be fun.
Diaz is too stupid to win a big fight like this…he will once again block punches with his face until it looks like raw hamburger.
@Doug MacIlroy
Hey Doug,
Everyone has their own opinion and yours has some good points. Diaz will pay respect to KJ if he wins the fight; of this I have no doubt. But if Noons wins I don’t see Nick dropping anything but more F-bombs & middle finger salutes! But that’s just the way he is & always has been. This guy is super competative and hates to lose. Noons being the polar opposite does not help the matter; I mean he is the Poster Boy for the All American athlete. On top of this, he already owns a victory over Diaz; which only a select few have the bragging rites to. This is a dangerous fight for my guy Nick, but he seems to be hungry for Noons this time around.
I also think it would win him more fans if he toned his act down just a little bit. I’m a huge fan of his, but I’ve been watching him for years. On the other side of that same coin however, neither my son or my nephew care for Nick outside of the cage as a result of his bad attitude.
Yo mike Perryman! You there?
Nick was not only the better fighter in a well fought STANDUP match. He was, dare I say it? A gentleman. Good job, Nick.
As for my bud, K.J. I have two things to say. First is congrats for a great fight and for being gracious in defeat. Second is get a haircut next time. Sheesh.