The mixed martial arts (MMA) lightweight division is arguably the sport's deepest. And it's no different in EliteXC with a mix of up-and-comers like Eddie Alvarez, veterans such as Yves Edwards and an improving division champion known as KJ Noons.
Noons, in fact, recently knocked off the man who was pegged to be the star of the weight class, Nick Diaz.
The Stockton, Calif., native and Caesar Gracie-trained fighter can begin his journey back to the front of the crowded lightweight pack if he signs on to fight on ShoXC veteran, Muhsin Corbbrey (6-2), on April 26 in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to SamCaplan.ProElite.com.
Diaz recently saw his five-fight win streak come to an end with the loss to Noons in EliteXC's first-ever lightweight championship fight. The fight was stopped after Diaz suffered two brutal cuts around both eyes that were seriously affecting his vision.
Of course, the ever colorful Diaz wasn't happy with the doctor's decision to halt the bout and stormed out of the arena, flipping both middle fingers toward the direction of anyone near the cage.
EliteXC Live Events President, Gary Shaw, announced in a January press conference that Diaz had surgery on his eyes following the fight with Noons to reduce the risk of future cuts. It appears now Diaz has recovered from that surgery and his return to the cage is in the works as we speak.
Corbbrey has won both his fights with the orginization, most recently in comeback fashion against Bobby Mcmaster in October with a guillotine choke.
Corbbrey has experience as a professional Muay Thai fighter and boxer, which means that he has a solid stand up game. He also trains jiu-jitsu with UFC veteren Din Thomas and as developed a very nice all around game -- a game that will surely be tested against the jiu-jitsu black belt, Diaz.
This fight would certainly be a big step up for and a huge opportunity to prove himself in the MMA world if Diaz does indeed sign the bout agreement.
It's not a huge named opponent for Nick Diaz, but a Nick Diaz fight is a Nick Diaz fight ... and those are always fun to watch.
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