Free agent Jay Hieron still not guaranteed title shot with new Strikeforce champ Nick Diaz

Following their respective wins at Saturday’s “Strikeforce: Miami” event, newly crowned welterweight champion Nick Diaz and top contender Jay Hieron would seem logical opponents for an upcoming card.

However, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker isn’t sure Hieron deserves the title shot, and Diaz said he’d rather fight big-name fighters – not “undercard fighters” such as Hieron.

And perhaps the biggest stumbling block of all? Hieron, who signed with Strikeforce in 2009 primarily because he was promised a title shot, has fulfilled the terms of the contract and now needs a new deal if he’s to stay with the promotion.


Following their respective wins at Saturday’s “Strikeforce: Miami” event, newly crowned welterweight champion Nick Diaz and top contender Jay Hieron would seem logical opponents for an upcoming card.

However, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker isn’t sure Hieron deserves the title shot, and Diaz said he’d rather fight big-name fighters – not “undercard fighters” such as Hieron.

And perhaps the biggest stumbling block of all? Hieron, who signed with Strikeforce in 2009 primarily because he was promised a title shot, has fulfilled the terms of the contract and now needs a new deal if he’s to stay with the promotion.