Dana White: Georges St-Pierre's next opponent will be Nick Diaz

[Dale]

Nick Diaz may still be on suspension, but when he returns in early 2013, he'll return to an instant title shot according to UFC President Dana White. "Georges St-Pierre went on vacation, but when he came back we were talking about Anderson Silva," White said. "He said, ‘I want Nick Diaz. Me and Nick Diaz have unfinished business. We were supposed to fight. That's the fight that I want.'

"So, Georges St-Pierre has been a phenomenal champion, just a great guy to deal with for us. He doesn't ask for things. So if he wants to fight Nick Diaz, and Nick Diaz wants to fight him, then that's probably the fight we'll make."


Much of the recent talk around St-Pierre has revolved around a potential superfight against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. A title defense against Diaz obviously ends that discussion for the time being, however White is sure both sides will revisit it if St-Pierre emerges victorious.


"Georges has been off for a year," White explained. "(Silva is) a tough fight for him to come back to. He asked personally for the (Diaz) fight."

White would not pinpoint a date or venue for the bout -- in fact, he said he had yet to even talk to Diaz -- however the idea of holding the event at Toronto's Rogers' Centre was intriguing to him.

As for the forgotten man in this situation, Johny Hendricks, White says the bearded contender won't be allowed to wait on the sideline and will likely fight once more before receiving a title shot.


"Listen, Johny Hendricks has had great fights," White said. "You talk about winning in spectacular fashion, this guy hits people so hard they skid across the Octagon. (But) he's no position to demand anything. Georges St-Pierre is the champ, he has been forever. If that's the fight he wants, then that's probably the fight we'll give him if Diaz accepts it."

What do people think of this? In terms of seeing the two square off i'm all for it but I just think it makes a mockery of the rankings. Hendricks does his job of earning a title shot, while Diaz throws away his chance at the title and loses to Condit and still gets a title shot because he bad mouths Georges?

I also get the impression that GSP is going this route to dodge Anderson aswell.

 

[The Cork]

Really, really fucking glad he's took the hardline stance with Hendricks, but Nick is coming off a loss and a suspension (only weed, but still illegal nontheless) and it doesn't sit right him walking straight into a title fight.

GSP/Diaz is clearly the best fight to be made, but they should of put him in a preliminary fight first, someone like a Diego Sanchez who will get beat but make it a good watch.

 

[No More Sorrow]

I prefer this fight more than the Hendricks fight by like a million, I'm starting to believe that GSP/Silva will never happen. As [MENTION=718]The Cork[/MENTION] said, it's the Pacquiao/Mayweather of MMA.

Hopefully we get this fight this summer or something, maybe their memorial day show as they tend do go all out for those holiday weekend events.

 

[Dale]

I've got no problem with him making guys not being able to sit and wait providing he does it with everyone and doesn't pick and choose who gets to sit out and when. Saying that, Dana's word seems to mean less and less with every interview he does anyway.

 

[Big Red Jericho Punk]

Hendricks isn't good enough yet. He's still predictable and George will take him apart. Diaz is still an overall machine even though I don't think he should get a title shot. Diaz vs Hendricks would be cool. Don't hate the decision but its a bit unfair. Can't wait for the fight though, George is going to actually go for a knockout.

 

[Slim]

Diaz vs. GSP... mannnn that was the fight we were all waiting to see before Diaz no showed some appearances and then got to just destroy BJ Penn.

While it isn't that cool that he gets to walk back in to a title fight... he is still one of the top fighters in welterweight and very well rounded so it makes for an awesome fight.

But yeah this does almost seem like a way to prolong the superfight... almost like he is hoping that Silva gets injured so the fight doesn't have to happen anytime soon.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Well outside of Silva, Diaz is the biggest fight possible for GSP. It seems incredibly unfair to Hendricks though. People can say he's not ready or whatever but the guys been wrecking top WWs for a while now. It'd be complete bullshit if he loses one of his next couple of fights and loses his deserved title shot because of the superfight talk and Diaz's marketability.

 

[Slim]

Well we did learn from Sonnen that if you can market your fights... you can be in line for a title shot.

 

[The Cork]

 

[Ryan]

I prefer this fight more than the Hendricks fight by like a million, I'm starting to believe that GSP/Silva will never happen. As @The Cork said, it's the Pacquiao/Mayweather of MMA.

Hopefully we get this fight this summer or something, maybe their memorial day show as they tend do go all out for those holiday weekend events.

Well now that Pacquiao got KO'd that fight isn't even going to happen.

I'm all for this fight but it really does seem like all you have to do is run your mouth to get a title shot. Chael Sonnen basically talked his way to a shot at Jones and although I'm not saying the UFC has any better options at present since Hendo is out of action for now, the fact still stands. I still hope Hendo can come back and give Jones a run for his money because as good as Sonnen is, he's not good enough to beat Jones.

At any rate, this isn't about the LHW division. I really can't stand the Diaz brothers so I hope GSP rips Nick Diaz a new one. I get that Diaz is a top notch boxer, but as I said in another thread, GSP is slippery as hell and has probably the best ground game in the UFC. He's gonna use the same strategy he's used in the past to beat Diaz.

 

[Deezy]

Rankings don't really mean shit in the grand scheme of combat sports. It's always been about fights people want to see or promoted like people wanted to see.

Been like this forever, unless this is like some kind of seasonal form like team sports or a tournament, it is always going to be up to the promoter to see what fight would generate the most buzz and make ths most money.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

While that is true Dana and co. have always proudly sung their own praises about how much rankings matter and how winning fights is the most important thing. Making money though is of course the most important thing, the UFC is a business first and foremost despite that fact often being denied and making money on big fights that draw casual fans in will take precedence over a more deserving challenger. Its just funny when you consider all the shots over the years about Pride booking random fights for the sake of having an exciting/big fight.

 

[Deezy]

This is what happens when you really have injury bugs and suspensions. It just fucks up your matchmaking process.....Atleast Pride was samrt enough to let their guys do whatever they needed to stay healthy......And with no commission in Japan, it was even made easier.

 

[Troy]

Well this is a joke, don't understand the fascination Dana White has with the Diaz brothers. They have screwed him over in the past and Dana even removed him from a title shot yet now he gets rewarded with a shot against GSP? Don't know how this works at all, I know that in the end it comes down to money but I just don't like how it has all happened. Diaz hasn't even earned the right to get GSP, not just in the octagon but cleaning up his crap outside of it as well. Won't surprise me if he screws over UFC again during the lead up to this fight.

I am not saying that Hendricks had a chance of beating GSP but if you book something as a number one contender fight you should really go through with it. UFC should have a new rule where they don't mention number one contender fights anymore because the guy that they want to win never does and it always messes up their plans. Just book the fights and figure out what happens after.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Especially in the LHW division, the c word has been thrown around so much thesedays.