Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 143 is just around the corner, featuring a welterweight Interim title fight between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit this Saturday night (Feb. 4, 2012) from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
So why is everyone talking about Georges St. Pierre?
Well, it was originally the Canadian's event to headline. That is, until he shredded his knee in training camp and had to withdraw in favor of surgery. It also has a lot to do with the well-documented bad blood between "Rush" and the fiery Stockton slugger, who share a professional disdain for one another that can only be settled inside the cage.
That's probably why St. Pierre played such a prominent role in hyping this 170-pound match-up, holding court during the UFC 143 media junkets and starring alongside Diaz and Condit in the "Primetime" television special.
There continues to be a lot of talk about a St. Pierre vs. Diaz superfight, while the pending bout against Condit has become something of an afterthought.
And it makes Diaz sick, according to comments he made at yesterday's UFC 143 pre-fight press conference.
"It makes me sick. This is Carlos' time to be here and be part of this main event. Half of this show is built up around me fighting Georges St. Pierre, but I'm fighting Carlos Condit. I don't like it. You're more in danger of losing a decision to Georges St. Pierre. I think you're more in danger of losing your teeth if you're fighting Condit."
To his credit, Condit has quietly kept on truckin' with nary a complaint, showing up when he's supposed to and answering his questions with succinct and diplomatic answers.
The good news is that Diaz doesn't appear to be overlooking him and recognizes he's not fighting anyone else in the UFC until he gets past Condit, a task that may be easier said that done.
Anyone think GSP, who gets the winner of this weekend's headliner, has been a distraction to this event? Or an important piece of the welterweight puzzle?
Thoughts?
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