(Props: MiddleEasyTV)
Remember when Nick Diaz was booked for the biggest fight of his career in a title shot against Georges St. Pierre, but then decided to no-show two days in a row for media events? Or when he lost an interim title bout to Carlos Condit, was offered an immediate rematch but then couldn’t do the fight because he got high?
Well, we do, and chances are Diaz does as well since he’s been sitting on the sidelines for nearly a year serving out his most recent marijuana-related drug suspension. So it surprised us to hear that Diaz, who is receiving a world title shot for the third consecutive time despite coming off of a loss and failed drug test suspension, still seems to be walking the line with the UFC and its President Dana White.
MiddleEasy recently spoke with White and asked him if he expected Diaz to make good on his pre-event promotion commitments this time around before his scheduled fight with St. Pierre at UFC 158. “He’s been sitting out so long. This is a fight that he wanted. He really wanted this fight to happen and Georges St. Pierre called him out. He’s getting it. So, yes, I expect Diaz to be there,” White said.
When asked if he had actually received such an assurance from Diaz himself, however, White said that he had not even spoken with the fighter recently despite reaching out to him. “I have not. Nick Diaz doesn’t return my calls, texts, nothing,” he said.
Nick Diaz isn’t faking this shtick, ladies and gentlemen. The Stockton Brawler really, truly, does not give damn about propriety or niceties, even with his bosses.
White didn’t seem to take Diaz’s neglect personally. In fact, he seemed to relish the opportunity to promote such a genuine anti-hero, at least as long as Diaz does his part with promotion. If he doesn’t, White said that he could very well not just missing out on another big fight but also be cut from the UFC roster.
“You don’t have to call me. You don’t have to text me. But you do have to show up to the press conference,” White said.
“I would be blown away if he did it twice…he’s not a big fan of the pre fight promotion but you have to do it. You have to do it. Whether you’re Nick Diaz, you’re Anderson Silva, whoever you are. Its in your contract. You can actually be cut. We can cut you for that.”