One thing you can't take away from Nick Diaz, is his ‘take on all comers' attitude. Cesar Gracie, Diaz's head trainer, can attest to that refreshing reality.
The outspoken leader of the Lodi, Calif.,-based Gracie Fighter camp says his star pupil would "be into" a "super fight" against Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, should current UFC welterweight king, Georges St. Pierre, pass on the big-money showdown.
Though many are clamoring to see "Rush" and "The Spider" settle the pound-for-pound argument inside the Octagon once and for all, St. Pierre is content to do it when he is ready and on his terms rather than when the Brazilian wants it to happen.
Appearing on "The MMA Hour" earlier today, Gracie said he, too, wants to see a St. Pierre vs. Silva showdown, but if the French-Canadian doesn't feel comfortable at this time, Diaz, for one, wouldn't pass on the opportunity to scrap with the decorated destroyer.
He explains:
"We're pushing for the GSP fight. That's what we're going to push for, GSP or Anderson Silva. That's the two fights that interest us the most, and that's the one's we're going for.[Silva's] people are into it. We're into it. The fans, I think, would be into it. We've got convince Dana about it now. Obviously the fight that makes sense to them, and I don't disagree, is Anderson-GSP, and like I said, I would watch that fight. That would be great to watch. But let's get real. If GSP just absolutely says no, then what? You can't make a guy fight. That's the thing. And Anderson, if they want to promote a superfight and if the stars align, I think Nick would be into it."
"The Spider" camp has indeed expressed interest in facing the Stockton Slugger in the past; however, pitting Silva -- who is the most dominant champion in UFC history -- against someone who is coming off a loss and hasn't held a title with the promotion, kind of takes some of the "super" luster off the "super fight" label.
Then again, this a fucking unpredictable universe.
There is no question the bout would be fun to watch and it would most likely do very well financially; however, it is unlikely that would be the direction Dana and Co. would want to take if the St. Pierre option falls through.
That's because there is a certain light heavyweight champion in Jon Jones who would undoubtedly be Zuffa's second, (or maybe even first) choice when it comes to making Silva "super fights."
Unless any of you Maniacs want to make case for a Silva vs. Diaz showdown instead?