So by now we’ve all heard that Georges St. Pierre has unfortunately blown out his ACL and will be unable to fight for 10 months. Carlos Condit has stepped in to face Nick Diaz at UFC 143 for the Interim-Welterweight belt. This would all sound standard and routine in a sport whose athletes face the possibility of injury at every corner when training for their upcoming bout, but the saga that is Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz is anything but typical.
Is Nick Diaz the unluckiest fighter in the UFC or is he correct in his views that Georges St. Pierre is ducking him? The latter sounds like an imaginitive farce and Diaz is hardly someone who isn’t responsible for some of the troubles he’s faced upon his UFC return…
Nick Diaz was of course supposed to meet GSP in the Octagon at the infamous “Expect the Unexpected” UFC 137. But, he wasn’t told about his flight for press duties in Toronto or he decisively missed them, you be the judge. Dana White excused Diaz and was assured he would attend the next presser just a day later in Las Vegas, Nevada. That day we were not surprised by the infamous empty chair conference where the announcement was made that White could no longer trust Diaz to appear in the Octagon come fight night, and Carlos Condit was the far trust worthier (if not perhaps, all around worthier) opponent for Georges St. Pierre.
Meanwhile, Nick Diaz was driving back to Stockton, CA as he vehemently explained, he was on his way to Vegas to attend the conference when he was told he no longer was fighting. However, as luck (if you’d like to call it luck) would have it, Dana White did trust Nick Diaz enough to show up on fight night as a Co-Main Eventer against BJ Penn.
Just one week before the fight, Georges St. Pierre was injured with a blown ACL in his knee and the main event against Carlos Condit was scrapped. BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz was promoted in its place and Diaz soon began to positively change the minds of media and fans as he stepped up and fulfilled all press obligations. Diaz then put on a main event worthy performance as be battered BJ Penn through three rounds, making the legendary former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight champion consider retirement.
Nick Diaz immediately called out Georges St. Pierre who sat feet away from the Octagon. He said GSP was ducking him and questioned the validity of his ACL injury. This disrespect infuriated GSP and an hour later Carlos Condit lost his title shot as GSP was intent on fighting Nick Diaz over Super Bowl weekend at UFC 143. Diaz believed he was getting the fight mostly because we all wanted to see him get a whuppin’. Yet, Diaz gained far more new fans that night and proved he was a laudable title challenger.
It was just days ago that GSP told the Montreal Gazette he had Nick Diaz’s number:
“I truly believe (Diaz) deserves the fight. He’s a fight that I want and a fight that everybody wants to see. He’s a very good boxer, probably one of the best in mixed martial arts. Also very good jiu-jitsu. But I believe I’m better than him everywhere. He’s fought very well, but I know I have his number. I will beat him.”
Ah, but apparently, the line went dead as today it was announced GSP must hang it up for nearly a year, after his second blow to his ACL. Diaz now faces the challenge of Carlos Condit for an Interim title, which is putting everything on the line for both these guys. No fighter who’s worked as hard as these two wants to fight for a title that isn’t against the true champion. Each of these guys were close to their shot against the untouchable Georges St. Pierre so prepare for the fight of their lives as only one will get the chance and the other will have to go back in that long line of Welterweights and at least get a couple more wins before they get near the mountain top.
As for GSP and Nick Diaz ever meeting in the cage? Diaz is definitely being tested. There is always the most epic of battles at the end of a trilogy, so the next time we hear Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz announced, it may be a death match.
