Nick Diaz was on the outside looking in for the last four years. One of the world's best welterweights wasn't facing the top 170-pounders in the world because he was essentially sent into exile by the UFC, for being too difficult to manage.
Diaz put together a big win streak with Strikeforce and several other promotions. Dana White took the bait. The UFC president wants the best fights possible, so he welcomed Diaz back into the fold. But after Diaz pulled another press conference no-show today in Canada, White is probably regretting his decision to pit the California fighter against Georges St-Pierre at UFC 137.
Diaz was due to attend a Canadian press conference to promote UFC 137 in October, but was nowhere to be found. This is just another chapter in the ridiculous book of Diaz's erratic behavior.
The 28-year-old has often shirked his media responsibilities and had several run ins with state commissions over his marijuana use. Tuesday's no-show shouldn't be a surprise and yet it still is. This is a second lease on life for Diaz, who complained about lousy competition in Strikeforce. White rewarded him with the opportunity to come back to the UFC and here's his payoff.
The reason for missing the Canadian trip? As always it was weak.
"Nick is extremely happy about the opportunity to fight GSP, but old habits die hard," Diaz manager Cesar Gracie today told MMAjunkie.com. "Nick doesn't really do the conference calls with a guy he's fighting; he just never has. It's just not in his psyche. He's too busy training right now to answer any questions."
GSP and Diaz are due to hit Las Vegas tomorrow for another big press conference. Fans are invited to attend at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (1 p.m. PT). Should they even bother? Makes it tough to sell a fight when you constantly burn the messenger (the media) and some of the fans.
You'd have to think Diaz just ruined any potential that he'll ever get to fight on network television. After this, can you imagine the UFC trusting Diaz enough to place him on a gigantic card with Fox?
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