The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 lightweight winner Nate Diaz will likely not compete inside the Octagon again in 2008 and will instead look to earn a spot on the UFC 94 main card, which is scheduled for the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31.
His trainer, Cesar Gracie, recently relayed the news via his gym's official Web site, adding that a rumored bout against Clay Guida at TUF 8 Finale on December 12 had fallen through because of a recent foot injury sustained by "The Carpenter" in training.
Here's a snip:
"With every viable UFC contender having already been paired for fights in the next couple of months it became clear that Diaz would not have an opponent ready for the rest of 2008. Nothing has been signed as of yet, however we are hoping to see Nathan fight early in 2009."
Diaz has been nothing short of brilliant inside the cage since his stint on TUF, stopping four out of his five most recent opponents and defeating them all. He most recently headlined UFC Fight Night 15 last month against Josh Neer and the two put on an action-packed three-round show for the fans.
He's clearly ready to graduate and take on the top contenders in the 155-pound division in 2009. Diaz's mixed martial arts skills are well beyond his 23 years on this planet -- he appears to get better and better each time out.
It's scary.
UFC 94 will feature the welterweight superfight between former 170-pound champion and current lightweight kingpin BJ Penn versus reigning welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, as well as the highly anticipated showdown between light heavyweight unbeatens Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva.
To check out the latest UFC 94 fight card and rumors click here.
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