Jul 1, 2009 - 1:46:04 PM By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Multiple reports this week are stating that Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs are being talked about for a bout on the August 15th Strikeforce on Showtime event. The bout is not a lock, however, per Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz via MMAJunkie.com, as he says the door simply hasn't been closed on the possible bout.
If it comes to fruition, it would be a rematch from a bout the two had at UFC 57 in 2006, which also featured one of the most infamous post-fight stories in MMA history. With both fighters bruised and battered after Riggs' unanimous decision victory, the two reportedly got into a second fight in the emergency room that needed to be broken up by police.
Both fighters have been finding success in recent fights, with Riggs picking up two in a row with his most recent win over Phil Baroni and three wins in his last four.
Diaz has looked stellar, going 9-1 with one no contest in his last 11 since a three fight losing streak in the UFC. The loss was to K.J. Noons, a stoppage due to cuts, and the no contest was an overturned victory due to a failed drug test for marijuana in his system. He's recently emerged as one of the faces of Strikeforce, defeating Frank Shamrock in the first Strikeforce on Showtime main event this April, and most recently choking out Scott Smith after unleashing a record number of strikes on him in their bout last month.
The August 15th event on Showtime is set to air live from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA, headlined by the Strikeforce Women's 145 lb. Title bout between Gina Carano and Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos.
Penick's Analysis: I don't understand putting this bout together at this time, as outside of getting revenge on the 2006 loss I don't see what Diaz has to gain in this fight. He's setting himself up as a contender for someone's title, though he'd need to pick a division first, but he's a much improved fighter from their first bout and looks today to be a notch or two above Riggs in the pecking order. On top of that, Riggs must have had great recovery time on those broken hands from his Baroni fight if he's able to turn around for an August bout. Still, from an entertainment standpoint, picking up from their 2006 feud could make for an entertaining war of words and a heated fight.
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Its possible they could make this for the vacant welterweight title,
although with three other title fights on the card it would have to be
moved to a later date (first CBS show, maybe?). Diaz is the bigger star,
but Jake Shields is Diaz's mentor and the elder statesman in the Cesar
Gracie camp. I wouldn't be surprised if Diaz deferred to Shields in letting
Shields stay at middleweight and chase Cung Le's belt. Say what you want
about Diaz, but he's not lacking in the loyalty department.
