UFC
UFC 143: Dana White not convinced Nick Diaz will stay retired
Feb 6, 2012 - 10:00:33 AM UFC 143: Dana White not convinced Nick Diaz will stay retired

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

After suffering a loss to Carlos Condit on Saturday night, Nick Diaz took his ball and went home, telling Joe Rogan in the cage that he was "done with this s***." The in-cage retirement drew a lot of reaction, though most don't expect it to actually stick.

One man in that camp is UFC President Dana White. He admitted after Saturday's fight that anything is possible with Diaz, but believes once he goes home and calms down about the situation he'll eventually change his mind.

"You never know with Nick Diaz," White said (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com). "You never know. I think he's just upset right now, and I think he's emotional, but who knows? ... Let me tell you what: The kid's made a lot of money. If he didn't want to do it anymore, maybe he could retire. But why? He's in his prime. Fight for a few more years, and he'll have enough money to really do it and kick back the rest of his life."

"I think once he goes home and realizes and calms downs... I don't see Nick Diaz retiring, but who knows? This isn't one of those sports where you want to be half in, half out. If that's how you feel, maybe you should retire."

For now, Diaz has walked away, but when that next big fight comes about, we'll find out how serious he may be.

Penick's Analysis: I made my thoughts on Diaz's post fight response quite clear after the fight, but ultimately I don't expect him to stay retired. It was an overly emotional response to that fight - which isn't surprising given Diaz's history in the sport - but it was a spur of the moment reaction. The money will be right to take at least one more fight in the UFC, and if he wins that one, he may get right back into a title fight, perhaps against Georges St-Pierre as he's wanted. But if he walks away, that fight is not something he'll ever get.