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QUOTABLES: Dana White discusses Nick Diaz and the need to "play the game"

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Feb 5, 2010 - 4:21:31 PM

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"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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Comments

ginog
05 Feb 2010, 22:49

Penick hit it on the head when he mentioned develping fighters. Strikeforce cannot live off of the scraps that are out there. They have to find a way to develop guys. That was when the UFC took off. They made TUF and developed fighters. And even before that guys were making names for themselves like The Iceman or Franklin or Hughes. They need more than just a few names they picked up on free agency to make an organization.