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wrestlingontap
Denny Crane Of Forums
USA
671 Posts |
 Posted - 08/16/2009 : 2:09:31 PM
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According to Strikeforce CEO and co-founder Scott Coker, Nick Diaz could still get a shot at the belt by year's end.
If and when licensed by the California State Athletic Commission, Diaz (20-7) is expected to fight for the title against his originally scheduled opponent, Jay Hieron (18-4).
Just a week before Hieron, who said he recently signed his deal with Strikeforce (and turned down an offer from the UFC) largely because of the promised title fight, was set to meet Diaz, who skipped a mandatory drug test and was knocked off the card. Hieron went from a fighting for the title on the televised main card to a meeting with Jesse Taylor, who took the fight on just a week's notice, on the un-aired preliminary card.
The move cost Hieron sponsor money and valuable exposure.
"It was stressful," Hieron said after his unanimous-decision win over Taylor. "I was lying to myself saying it's doesn't bother me.
"Of course, that was a deciding factor for me to go with Strikeforce – for Nick Diaz and the title fight. But that didn't happen."
But it could.
According to Coker, Diaz and his manager, Cesar Gracie, are already planning to meet with the California State Athletic Commission to resolve the situation.
"We had a conversation with Cesar Gracie about the Nick Diaz situation, so I feel very comfortable Nick will be back shortly," Coker said. "I think he's going to meet with the athletic commission, get that all worked out, and hopefully we'll see Nick back here before the end of the year."
Will Diaz be punished by the organization and lose his shot at the belt? Or is the Diaz vs. Hieron title fight still the plan?
"Jay Hieron came here to fight Nick Diaz, so we will put that fight together," Coker said.
While Coker never criticized the fighter and was quick to remind reporters that Diaz is trying to rectify the situation, the fight executive did have to remind Diaz just how costly his decision was and how future lapses in judgment could affect the organization.
"Basically, I expressed my concerns and our feelings, and the feelings of Showtime, saying, 'Look, when we're promoting a main event, you have certain responsibilities to do your part because we're going to do out part," he said. "He's going to sit down with (CSAC executive) Bill Douglas and the commissioner and work something out. ... Once he's licensed and cleared – he's not even under suspension; he just never showed up for his licensing. He's not licensed yet. When he's licensed, we'll plan to fight him after his license (is given).
"[Diaz] apologized. He said, 'I'm really sorry.' He's actually a good kid."
Hieron, a former UFC, IFL and Affliction fighter, has now won six consecutive fights and eight of his past nine to garner worldwide top-10 consideration in his weight class. Diaz, a former lightweight who's hopped around the weight classes and even took a catch-weight fight with middleweight Frank Shamrock earlier this year, owns a five-fight win streak and is 9-1 since May 2006.
"I think that's a great, exciting fight," Hieron said of Diaz. "That's the fight I want. I know the fans probably want to see it, so hopefully they make that happen."
If you were in charge, would you put up with Diaz or talk Shields back to Welter and have him fight Hieron for the 1st Welterweight title?
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Welterweight Title Could Happen Before Years End
