"All the little UFC clingers, the fighters, are putting their little immature opinions out there: ‘I’ll fight CM Punk, I’ll welcome him to the Octagon.’ It’s like, get out of here. Straight up. You’re welcoming this? You ain’t welcome. You can’t fight me. You’re an amateur. Fight for 10 years and we can fight…. He can come train [with Cesar Gracie], that’s cool. All the luck to him — good luck CM Punk. But, that situation? Fuck that situation. You’re going to pay that guy out more than anyone who is fighting on his first day because he’s a draw? I understand that: The draw, the money and the company. But, do you know who it’s not good for? The athletes. We’re supposed to be pros. Why are we being treated like semi pros? You’re going to bring an amateur in and pay him more than us? If you’re going to fight him and get paid more than him, fight him. You’re going to bring in this guy and pay him however many millions of dollars because he’s a draw and they’re going to give a $20,000 check to the guy who fights him and he’s going to act like it’s an opportunity. That ain’t no opportunity, that’s being hustled…. We can’t go play in the NFL or NBA. Stefan Struve’s big ass can’t go play in the NBA just because he wants to. They’s be like, ‘Ha, get out of here! You’re an amateur, go to the minor leagues.’ C’mon."
-- Nate Diaz didn't make it to the UFC on FOX 13 open media workouts Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 10, 2014) in Phoenix, Ariz., because he overslept. Well, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight is awake today, making the mixed martial arts (MMA) media rounds ahead of his UFC on FOX 13 co-main event match against top-ranked Lightweight contender, Rafael dos Anjos. Diaz was very complimentary of his opponent, calling him a "worthy" adversary who had paid his dues inside the Octagon to get where he is today. A long, tough road to success that is polar opposite of CM Punk, a former WWE champion who inked a UFC deal last weekend thanks in large part to his drawing power at the box office. Company President Dana White was clear that "Punk" -- who doesn't have any professional MMA experience -- will be matched against fighters with similar experience levels. But, if were up to Diaz, "Punk" would have never made the big show fresh off the street and would have to earn his spot like the rest of the roster. For what it's worth, even "Punk" admits he doesn't "deserve" the golden opportunity, but will leave "all that negative stuff behind."
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