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"I like Nick Diaz very much, and I’ve said this many times, if Nick Diaz would just play the game even this much... but Nick Diaz refuses to play the game. He’s anti-the game... Listen, you have certain rules and guidelines, and last time Nick Diaz was in the UFC he got in a fist fight in the hospital with the guy that he fought here [Joe Riggs]. You can’t do that kind of stuff. The kid is very talented and he probably should be in the UFC, but that kind of stuff has got to stop... I have a great relationship with Nate and I have a good relationship with Nick. It’s not like I hate Nick Diaz. I talk to Nick Diaz every time I see him. Every time I see him he’s a good kid, but it’s the stuff after and the stuff away from the Octagon that’s stopping Nick. So everybody has to play the game at least this much."
-UFC President Dana White talks to MMAWeekly.com about Strikeforce Welterweight Champion and former UFC fighter Nick Diaz.
Penick's Analysis: With Nick Diaz's post-fight comments last weekend about the challengers, or more lack thereof, in Strikeforce's welterweight division, and the fact that the Title fight didn't mean much to him outside of the paycheck, it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see a UFC return in the near future for him. Of course, it will take cooperating with the UFC and going along with what White is talking about here for him to get back to the Octagon, but it's certainly not out of the question for either side at this point. This is one of the issues Strikeforce is facing as they continue to try to branch out, as they will have some of their fighters looking to leave for better competition and better money as they grow unhappy with the challenges in front of them. Diaz and Robbie Lawler are at the top of that list, but there are other fighters on the roster who may eventually jump ship as well. How Strikeforce handles all of that and whether or not they can develop more fighters than what they've done thus far will go a long way towards them finding some longevity in competition.
[Dana White photo credit Wade Keller (c) MMATorch.com]
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"There's still a large contingent of people, that they just want to see these guys almost die, or the other guy almost die and come back, and sometimes fights are like that. Certainly they are. But sometimes you get technical masterpieces too, and to hate a beautiful, technical fight - you're not really a fight fan...
Diaz has a granite chin, possesses perhaps the best recovery in the sport, his pace and conditioning are second to none and he sets records with the volume of his punches almost every time he steps into the cage. Nick Diaz is simply designed to fight the way he fights, and not many other fighters are...
"There was a lot of poison going on around there and I'm really disappointed because we had a good thing going. It was a good thing and I think people's egos got in the way. Well, not people just Javier, his ego got in the way, and too many cameras in the gym and him trying to build himself up and his brand, his AKA brand...
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