Despite rumors of turmoil at Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, head coach Cesar Gracie can still be seen grinning from ear to ear with star pupils Nick and Nate Diaz at his side.
Gracie posted this image on Twitter after a training session:
Concerns rose about the future of Team Cesar Gracie following Nick’s retirement and Nate seeking new management.
After losing to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158, Nick once again announced he was leaving MMA unless he either received a rematch or a super fight with Anderson Silva. His decision is expected to stand, with neither bout appearing to be in the realm of possibility at this time.
At the post-fight press conference (via MMAFighting.com), UFC President Dana White claimed Gracie was a “huge part of the problem” behind Nick’s issues, which included multiple failed appearances at mandatory pre-fight events.
Even Gracie admitted in an appearance on The MMA Hour that he would have to sit down and have a discussion with Nick regarding his future with the team.
A few weeks after Nick’s loss, MMA journalist Ariel Helwani broke the story that Nate would no longer be managed by Gracie. According to the report, he had moved on to new manager Mike Kogan.
Despite a change in management, there was never any indication Nate was ever leaving Team Caesar Gracie.
The team is currently all accounted for and awaiting Gilbert Melendez’s lightweight title shot against Benson Henderson on Saturday at UFC on FOX 7. Nate will also be in action that night against former Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson.
After nearly a year hiatus, Jake Shields will also be returning from his suspension to take on Tyron Woodley at UFC 161.
As for Nick, your guess is as good as ours.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com