Nick Diaz likes to spew a lot of conspiracy theories about how things go down in MMA. Diaz loved painting the picture of Georges St-Pierre being the UFC’s golden boy prior to their UFC 158 meeting. It seems Diaz may have a bit of truth to go with his words.
In a video that’s surfaced recently, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs and Assistant General Counsel for the UFC Michael Mersch approaches Diaz on the day of the UFC 158 weigh-ins.
The conversation starts off like small talk with Mersch asking if Diaz is “good” but then things begin to get murky.
“Here, they’re going to allow you and Georges to have an extra hour,” Mersch says. “Just in case somebody doesn’t make it. But the good news is, they don’t count the decimal. If you’re 170.2 it’s 170. If it’s 170.9. it’s 170.”
MMA fighters are given a one-pound allowance in non-title affairs but both competitors must hit the required weight exactly (or below it) in title contests.
“Why didn’t we know that before?” asked a member of Diaz‘s entourage.
Although taken aback by the question, Mersch seems to keep going with his rehearsed spiel. The audio goes between audible and inaudible but you can make out some of Mersch‘s words.
“Should be fine, hopefully, other than that. Just so you guys are in the loop, if there’s…” said Mersch.
Diaz‘s camp again asks why they weren’t notified the day before but Mersch ignores the question and continues.
It’s just something to keep in mind. That’s kind of an off the record type of thing. But keep that in mind. As long as he’s under 171, we should be good. But, there is a time period afterwards, for you and Georges only. All the other fighters have to make it the first time. Just letting you guys be in the loop, okay?
A member of Diaz‘s camp drops a perfect line to sum up the conversation, “that’s a loophole. A Canadian loophole.”
By just watching the video you can tell the conversation is very shady and something seems a little off. If St-Pierre’s injured Achilles was really bad it’s likely he couldn’t have done as much cardio/weight loss activities as he would’ve liked and possibly came into UFC 158 a bit heavy.
Regardless of whether or not you think a conspiracy is afoot, it’s clear that the rules were bent at UFC 158. Both Diaz and GSP were given an additional hour to cut weight and also were virtually given a pound allowance that shouldn’t have been allowed.
Dana White, among others, love to point out the ongoing corruption that has plagued boxing for years but a video like this isn’t going to make MMA look any better.
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