Former world champion boxer Fernando Vargas will return to the ring after a three year absence to face Henry Buchanan in April, but it was recent comments from Strikeforce welterweight champ Nick Diaz that seems to have gotten him riled up.
During a recent conference call for this Saturday’s Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg event, the welterweight champ talked about transitioning to boxing and fighting at super middleweight (168 lbs) because he “wants to get paid” like some of the big stars of the sport like Manny Pacquiao.
A couple of names that have popped up as possible opponents were Ricardo Mayorga and Fernando Vargas.
In an interview with ESPN.com, Vargas said it would be a fight he’d take but down Diaz for not being the best because he fought for Strikeforce instead of the UFC.
“Right now, I’m thinking about [Buchanan],” Vargas said. “But listen, there’s another guy that’s been opening his mouth that’s in MMA — and that’s Nick Diaz.
“He’s been calling me out saying he wants to fight me. I’m like, ‘Who is this guy? You’re not an elite mixed martial artist. You’re not even in the UFC.’ That’s definitely a fight that interests me. He got my attention.”
Well if we can’t get Diaz and Jason “Mayhem” Miller in a cage after a war of words, maybe a boxing match between Diaz vs. Vargas could fill that trash talking void.