Photo via UFC.com
UFC 141 co-main event winner Nate Diaz says he would like to get a shot at the title, whether he has to beat the number one contender next, or if his performance over Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone puts him into that position, he is after a championship title.
Diaz put in a strong performance against the ‘Cowboy’ Friday night (Dec. 30, 2011) by outboxing a fighter who was on a six fight win tear, including four impressive finishes in the Octagon.
After the fight, Diaz tells UFC.com that he is out to fight the best and wants what he deserves.
“I hope I’m like getting a number one contenders spot or a title shot because I ain’t trying to play around with these funny fights no more. I’ve been fighting for too long and I want to fight the best guys, and you know, I think I deserve, I want to get what I deserve out of this.”
At the post fight press conference, Diaz re-iterated the same statement to the gathered media.
“[I want to fight] the best person in my weight division. Whoever they would like to give me, the highest ranked contender, that’s what I’m after. I want to fight for the championship. I just want to show the world I can fight the best fighters and beat the best fighters.”
Diaz certainly impressed many with his win over Cerrone, who I had picked to take the fight as I felt he was the better striker. I could see the UFC matchmakers waiting to see how the upcoming UFC 144 bout between champ Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson turns out. A quick finish for either fighter could see Diaz given a title shot, while a five round battle between Edgar vs. Henderson would likely put Diaz into a No. 1 contender match with one of the many skilled fighters at 155 lbs.