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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
"I didn't ever really mean to make that statement that I'm retired. What I mean by that whole thing is you never really retire from martial arts, that just doesn't happen. Some people don't make it in martial arts in the same way I do, in the same perspective I do, or got into it the same way. What I meant to say is I'm retired from climbing the ropes, I'm definitely not going to take easy fights, I'm not doing anybody any favors and I'm definitely not doing myself any favors taking a fight I'm not happy with. That's where I stood with my whole retirement game plan.
I don't recommend anybody to be a fighter. Fighting is not something I enjoy doing. It's something I feel I have to do, and that's just the way it is... I don't enjoy fighting. I don't use that word in this sport. I use that word like maybe I'm starving and food is showing up and I'm excited now. Or I'm excited to have a couple of days off. I don't know if people are confused with that term when it comes to fighting, that's how I feel about that... Would you enjoy fighting Anderson Silva? I don't believe them one bit, that's just how I feel about it."
-Nick Diaz explained his self-imposed hiatus, along with his philosophy on fighting, during a media conference call on Wednesday (via FoxSports.com).
Penick's Analysis: This isn't the first time Diaz has expressed similar feelings, and it's not surprising to see him double down on those comments. Honestly, it feels like he's secured himself one final payday in MMA. If he beats Silva, that will lead to more, but if he loses this fight as he'll be expected to, then he's gotten the UFC to give him more money than ever to do so. That's great for him, of course, especially when this isn't something he's particularly interested in doing consistently, but if he loses to Silva, the UFC isn't likely to give him another major payday.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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