Nick Diaz likely to continue his MMA career as a welterweight ...

by MMAmania.com on May 16, 2009 10:33 AM EDT

... after his upcoming 180-pound catchweight fight against Scott Smith at Strikeforce: "Lawler vs. Shields" from the Scotttade Center in St. Louis, Mo., on June 6, according to his mentor and manager, Cesar Gracie, via GracieFighter.com:

"With a title fight against Cung Le nowhere on the horizon Nick will probably be going back down to the 170 lb. division. I know there's been speculation about a rematch with Robbie Lawler, but Diaz will be dropping weight as he picks up his running and cardio training. As far as a return to lightweight is concerned, forget it.... It just isn't healthy. He was having terrible performances against B-level fighters. The weight drop was causing lots of health related problems and he wasn't performing to his ability.... After this fight we'll have Nick drop back down to 170 lbs. and probably stay there unless Strikeforce has something interesting for him."

Sounds good. However, the Strikeforce welterweight talent pool just isn't that deep -- the best 170-pound fighters in the world all pretty much fight for the UFC. Diaz and Jake Shields are the exceptions, but it's unlikely that the training partners and good friends would ever throw down inside the cage. A rematch against Joe Riggs -- who defeated Diaz inside the Octagon several years ago via controversial decision but lost their brawl in the hospital immediately afterward -- is clearly a possibility if he can put away Phil Baroni. After that it should be interesting to see how the promotion handles bringing in worthy challengers. Any ideas?

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Comments

This is great news. 170 is the perfect weight for Diaz. If his partner Shields is ranked top 5, Diaz will crack that in no time! I don’t think Shields can carry Diaz’s jock (my opinion). My wife’s cousin saw Nick in starbucks last week, Nick was finishing up a 5k run. They know each other (my wife’s cousin boxes), and he asked “where’s Nate?” From what I hear, with all the goosd influence Nick has to give (constant cardio, marathons, triathlons) Nate is quite lazy when it comes to cardio!
As far as Nick, I don’t see a WW in strikeforce that can beat him! I think he’d be a great addition to the WW division in the UFC, but would rather see him fight in Japan!

by kevin on May 16, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

On a side note, I think I have 1 possibly 2 tix left for 101, I’m waiting on John so I can ask him a question about the suites! Get at me if your interested, but I have now guarantees! John, Get at me, you’re the only guy I held a ticket for (since if we didn’t get the suite I’d be going with you still).

by kevin on May 16, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Diaz’s brothers rule, i cant wait 3 days so i can just whoop ass with nate whenever the I want with ufc undisputed

by JG on May 16, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I bet there are as many people begging to get in that game to put a beating on Nate as well, lol.

I used to love the old WWE games and beating down X-Pac with every heavyweight I could find the finishers for!

Diaz is gonna be my virtual whipping boy!

by Jas on May 16, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Make sure you get some Karo ass beating time in too, thats gonna be the best.

by medecine balls on May 16, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

this is wonderful news~

alot of the guys back in stockton have been getting at nick to go ww again.

i like the fact that he has been banging at 180~ but

i dont think nick can handle fighting at mw just yet..

he had been debating the idea on account of jake..

shields and ceaser gave him the red light~ and now its happining..

as long as he can stay healthy at ww? he will be there..

if his conditioning is going to be a problem? its up to mw..

as far as nate??

well yeah!.. he has been getting lazy since his loss to guida..

by stinky~fingers on May 16, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

What’s up, stinky!

When you coming back up to Van-City?

Diaz shouldn’t fight above welterweight, he is a good-sized 170.

by Jeremyjackson on May 16, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d like to see Nate somehow go up to WW and fight (flubby) Karo. Of course flubby won’t go down to LW bc that would mean losing weight. You know Nate wants a piece of his ass since TUF

by DirtbagHtr on May 17, 2009 3:28 AM EDT up reply actions

That last sentence sounded very wrong.

by RyanHobbs on May 18, 2009 7:28 AM EDT up reply actions

i would absolutely LOVE to see Nick back in the UFC in the WW division, EVEN tho i HATE him, lol.

There’s just so many interesting match-ups.

I’d love to see him get smashed by Alves (after GSP loss), Fitch, and KOS….
:D

by SoCalStunNa on May 16, 2009 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Uhhh, who cares? Hopefully, he fades into oblivion.

by The Buffalo on May 16, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

who cares? Have you ever seen (win or lose) a Nick Diaz fight that wasn’t exciting? You go watch Gray maynard and ryan Bader, I’ll continue to watch Diaz!

by kevin on May 16, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree, all his fights are good. But one thing, geeez, lay off Maynard, he’s a good fighter. His stand up is getting better too.

by Johnny Farnham on May 16, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, the Emmerson, Frankie Edgar, and Jim Miller fights were great.

by DB on May 16, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

he can be as good as he wants to, he’s still boring..

by RoB on May 16, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

There are PLENTY other fighters more boring than Gray or Bader. And Bader has had 2 fights in the UFC! Lay off him already. You cant really measure him by TUF, so forget that. He ko’d a guy and was wrestling for submissions to a decision. Alot of you guys thought Caramel Marerro would beat him. I’d rather watch either one of those guys over those pure BJJ guys like Marcus Aurelio and Ricardo Almeida

by Synyster on May 17, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Synys,i understand your point of view and your right about Bader…We should wait a little longer before pass jugement.But dude Aurelio his not that bad!He’s awesome on the ground plus he,can fight…Here if you want take a look at these 2 fight buddy!

Marcus Aurelio Vs Ryan Roberts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwTx-zZ1LaM

Pride fc.takanori gomi vs marcus aurelio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iozr9ny6LU

by Alpha Male 360 on May 17, 2009 4:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I forgot about the 20-second armbar. That I really liked. I was going off the Guida and Griffin fight.

by Synyster on May 17, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

How your “career” is going? ;-)
Can you build up a fighter in all divisions?

by Alpha Male 360 on May 17, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

y do u hate bader becuase he had one boring fight, he got hurt in that fight too so shut up and enjoy watchign guys that do wat u can’t do..

by guyverbob on May 16, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

his fight with sherk wasn’t the best

by ruan-fiy on May 16, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

sherk and maynard haven’t faught…

by SoCalStunNa on May 16, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be a really good fight, possibly almost as good as Griffin/Sherk was.

by Johnny Farnham on May 17, 2009 2:37 AM EDT up reply actions

People who like MMA care.

That is why we post here.

If you don’t care about fighters then don’t post here.

by DirtyML on May 16, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree. I am not a Diaz fan, but this IS a mma site. Why the hell would you post who cares on news of a popular fighter on an mma board? we care or we would not post on and read this site!

by Bill Maher on May 16, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Who cares? What a dumb comment. Nick Diaz is a quality fighter who is entertaining in and out of the ring, he is coming off a dominating win over Frank Shamrock and is set to have an awesome fight with Scott Smith. Just because he isn’t in the UFC doesn’t mean he isn’t a great fighter. Diaz is controversial and has as lot of fans (as well as loads of people that hate him) so people want to see him fight.

by David W-S on May 16, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I couldn’t care less if he is in the UFC or not, that is not the be all end all benchmark of a fighter. And to the other comment of eluding to the fact I have to care about Nick because he’s an MMA fighter, get real. I’m not saying Diaz isn’t talented but I don’t like how he taints MMA with his stupidity. A lot of people hate on Brock for the WWE/Circus atomosphere he is perceived to bring to the ring, yet will hug the nutz of the Diaz boys. Go figure.

I don’t like showboating or ignorance, but it doesn’t mean I have to support it because its in MMA or on an MMA website.

by The Buffalo on May 18, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Hell yeah. I been a fan of nick diaz before he knock out Lawler silly. The fight with gomy is a classic. He got rob on that one taking the win away because he was stoned. if anything it probably made him slower. Anyone who is not a fan of Nick diaz cannot call himself an mma fan. those are the ufc fans who think there aren’t great fighters outside the ufc like the buffalo who post up there.

by dkortez on May 16, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

why doesnt nick go back to the ufc?

by oliver regis on May 16, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

I know, it’s ridiculous, it was cool when he was in the UFC. He needs to go back. Although I don’t think he could beat the higher elite level, i.e GSP, Alves etc. but he would always provide some awesome fights even when he loses.

by Johnny Farnham on May 16, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Here here, Nick Diaz back to the UFC. That would be awesome.

by RedDog on May 16, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

nick wont fight in the ufc..

too exclusive of a contract..

he likes to fight all over~ especially japan..

by stinky~fingers on May 16, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Johnny and Red
Agreed!

by Alpha Male 360 on May 16, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Then why hasn’t he fought in Japan more than once? I dont mind him in Strikeforce, but I cant see him beating Fitch, GSP, Alves. I think he’d give a good fight vs Kos, Hazelett would be cool, as would Kampmann and Condit.

by Synyster on May 17, 2009 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I think when he fought in Japan he had some problems with getting paid too, right? Maybe I remember that incorrectly but I think so. I kind of like seeing Diaz compete outside of the UFC for now. Catchweight fights like Shamrock for Diaz interests me.

by RyanHobbs on May 18, 2009 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions

great fighter dont really care where he ends up, because win or lose he always makes an exciting fight and ill be a fan forever

WAR DIAZ!

by Clinton Jackson (formerly Jared) on May 16, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

I agree, and am one that also thought he just beat Riggs in their matchup.Win or lose he is exciting, but with the UFC one to many exciting loses and your gone, no matter what the fans think. I wonder how many more chances Houston will have, it would be nice to see him fight Chuck, but it will never happen, without doubt the first to land a punch would take it.

by Ade on May 16, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Chuck would easily land that first one too, hes got the range and much better technique.

by medecine balls on May 16, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

i dont know anymore, i can easily see houston knocking chuck out. its all up to who lands the first big punch

by Clinton Jackson (formerly Jared) on May 16, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

i dunno, i just dont see houston catching chuck. its not like hes Shogun. chucks had way more technical training on his feet, and if its about who connects first which i believe it would be then that surely still counts for something

by medecine balls on May 16, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

of course it does, they aren’t just gonna go in there and swing with their eyes closed.. medecine is right!
Houston’s standup skills are very mediocre, the only place he’s good at is in the clinch..

by RoB on May 16, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

power means nothing if you ain’t got the skills

by RoB on May 16, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Dana white says he would let him back in the ufc but he has to calm down becouse I guess after he lost a fight he went to the bars and knoked some guy out

by phlicutioner on May 16, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

after he lost a decision to riggs he fought him in the hospital afterwards.

by DirtyML on May 16, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

and apparently Nick won that fight.

by RedDog on May 16, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I think riggs even admitted to that. Joe said that diaz was crazy and he was scared for his life.

by lee maury on May 16, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Nick Diaz is a BITCH!!!

by belfort_fan on May 16, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

When is your fight belfort??

by Alpha Male 360 on May 16, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I am supposed to fight on The Warriors Cage card on May 28th but i got staph on my knee and havent been able to train for like a week so…. And the fight is at 155 and im walking around at 145 so i pry wont be able to take the fight. but its not licensed by the commission so if they by chance let me fight i will for sure. I am fighting at 145 in July as well whitch is going to either be for Palace Fighting Championships in Lemoore or Gladiator Challenge.

by belfort_fan on May 16, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Man that’s bad…Staph is a serious thing!I hope that you treated it well buddy!…I’m sure that you don’t want to get,like Randelman or Karo!
Plus a feel bad for you to get that just before your fight…Man you shouldn’t fight even if you think that your good to go!Nobody want a stupid loss on his record!
Anyway take care man and let us know if you choose to fight the 28th or when you gonna fight in july!So we,can support you and follow your career!

by Alpha Male 360 on May 17, 2009 4:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the support man… Im willing to take the fight, but my trainer John Dodson has been in Korea since i have had the staph so he dont know about it yet and im pretty sure when he finds out ive only trained once since hes been gone he wont want me to take the fight.

by belfort_fan on May 17, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Dude I didn’t know that you fought! I want to watch these fights.

by RyanHobbs on May 18, 2009 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Where you live around? I live, train and fight in so cal.

by belfort_fan on May 18, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he could take GSP. He is lanky with great range and size. Solid BJJ and Boxing.

by xxBAxx816 on May 16, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

Yet he got his ass kicked by Karo…..

by hatteras on May 16, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

GSP would MOP the floor with this douche!

by SoCalStunNa on May 16, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh that sounds very credible….

by xxBAxx816 on May 18, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

And Diego Sanchez… GSP would destroy Diaz.

by belfort_fan on May 17, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions

It was split decision 4 years ago…??

by xxBAxx816 on May 18, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

i dont understand why people can like diaz yet hate rashad…the same people who claim they dont like shad’s attitude and the way he acts will praise diaz for the way he acts…i dont understand it…hes a pothead who disrespects everyone he fights…rashad is cocky and people say hes a dick for it…

personally i like them both and i wish more people would be like them…there needs to be more dickheads and more cocky fuckers….and less hugging and kissing and making nice….

but yea i dont understand the difference in why people hate the way shad acts but love the way diaz acts…but either way there needs to be more like them…there just isnt enough personality in mma..

war shad and war diaz

just sayin

yea son

by HellaHectic on May 16, 2009 6:18 PM EDT reply actions

I highly doubt he could take gsp right now but If He could I would love that!!!!
Dawm French Canadians!!!!!!!!!!!!

by phlicutioner on May 16, 2009 6:18 PM EDT reply actions

Mange de la marde phlatulencetioner!

by Alpha Male 360 on May 16, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I beg to differ mmamania, Strikeforce has the 2nd deepest pool of ww’s of any org.
Jake Shields (I know they likely will not fight)
Nick Thompson
Nick Diaz
Andre Galvao
Joe Riggs
Phil Baroni

by june06 on May 16, 2009 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

Idiot!

by belfort_fan on May 17, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I beg to differ mmamania, Strikeforce has the 2nd deepest pool of ww’s of any org. Diaz has some great matches in his future at ww.
Jake Shields (I know they likely will not fight)
Nick Thompson
Nick Diaz
Andre Galvao
Joe Riggs (hellova rematch)
Phil Baroni

by june06 on May 16, 2009 7:23 PM EDT reply actions

I didn’t know that you can fight yourself??
You should give that trick to A Silva b/c he,want to fight his clone!

by Alpha Male 360 on May 16, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Cung Le should return his belt and stick to making stupid movies.

by Lights Out on May 16, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah that’d be cool if they vacated the 185 belt cus le isn’t fightin anytime soon and hasn’t for a long time. I bet nick would fight there and be rather successful

by johnny boots on May 16, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

Diaz and Cung are the only fighters worth watching on strikeforce. But I agree that Nick should go back to the ufc and test himself again at welterweight. Not saying he could be champ, but he’s an awesome fighter and I don’t recall a fight where he was finished…

by spitforce on May 17, 2009 1:31 AM EDT reply actions