UFC

Nick Diaz is Looking Past Georges St-Pierre to Even Bigger Fights

Nick Diaz is heading into the biggest fight of his career at UFC 158 against welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, but the Stockton, Calif., native is admittedly looking past St-Pierre to even bigger fights.

Diaz has been eyeing a fight with St-Pierre for a long time, years. He finally has his shot at the reigning king of the 170-pound division after leaving the UFC and coming back, having the fight scheduled and then canceled and then scheduled again for March 16. But for Diaz, the fight with St-Pierre is just a cobblestone on his path to pound-for-pound greatness.

“I’m always on that, looking to the future. Me and Georges St-Pierre, we’re a lot different,” said Diaz on a UFC 158 media conference call on Thursday. “For me, I look past every opponent because I know I’m in this. I’m not just looking at one obstacle. I think for me it’s easier to deal with when I accept the fact that I’m never going to get out of this.

“It’s not just good fights, it’s fighters. I’m looking past every opponent to get to the No. 1 spot of the welterweight division and then I look past that. I look further beyond that.”

If Diaz were in St-Pierre’s position, he would have accepted a fight with middleweight champion and pound-for-pound best Anderson Silva.

“Like, if it were up to me, I’d take that fight with Anderson Silva. I would say, yeah, of course, I’m looking forward to being the best that can be, always,” said Diaz. “The next best thing has always been the next closer fight to the No. 1 fight, and that’s what I’ve been working toward this whole time. I always have that mindset.”

Diaz isn’t just looking past St-Pierre for a potential fight with Silva, he wants to win titles in multiple divisions in the UFC. It’s only ever been done by Randy Couture and B.J. Penn.

“If I had that option available to me I would be honored to be in that position and I would be gratefully accepting of that position or fight if you will with the 185-pound champion or the 155-pound champion (Benson Henderson),” said Diaz. “I would take either fight, and I think I could beat either guy. I would like to be the guy to win a title at both weights.

“I’d like to be a runner-up in the pound-for-pound rankings. That’s the No. 1 goal aside from the No. 1 ranking in the welterweight division.”

Georges St-Pierre is Focused on Nick Diaz, Not a Superfight with Anderson Silva

Georges St-Pierre isn’t thinking about a potential superfight with Anderson Silva, his focus is zeroed in on Nick Diaz.

During a UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche question and answer session, UFC president Dana White said a superfight between Anderson Silva and either Georges St-Pierre or Jon Jones will happen this year.

“GSP is going to defend his title against Nick Diaz. Anderson Silva will defend his title this summer, and before the end of this year we will soon see a superfight with either GSP and Anderson Silva, or Anderson Silva and Jon Jones,” said White. “One of them is coming.”

St-Pierre was questioned about a potential fight with Silva during a UFC 158: St-Pierre vs. Diaz media conference call on Thursday, and said he doesn’t care about anything but the upcoming fight with Diaz.

“I don’t care about it at all. I’m not thinking past Nick Diaz. It’s a mistake everybody does, and I respect my opponent,” said St-Pierre.

“I want the big fight, but the big fight for me right now is Nick Diaz. I don’t look past Nick Diaz. All of my focus is on him. I don’t think past him. I don’t care about what is coming next.

“For me, my life ends March 16, when I fight Nick Diaz. It’s going to be another chapter in my career. After is what is going to happen after, but now I’m only focusing on what is going to happen next,” he added.

Silva is set to defend his title against Chris Weidman at UFC 162 on July 6.

I can see the point of both fighters, but would like GSP to step away from his gentleman attitude for a second & say something similar to Diaz is here.
He's already spoke of him fighting for a legacy, so why not say if he wants the Anderson Silva fight or not.

I think every MMA fan would say it'll 99% happen anyway.

Is there no UFC Primetime for this fight?.

UFC Countdown show mate, don't think it's a Primetime.

GSP wants the big fight with Silva. He said it on the conference call, "I want the big fight, but the big fight now is Diaz". That's the classy, professional way a truly great champion goes about his business.

Fighters can't afford to look past the guy in front of them. Diaz going on about fighting Anderson Silva and being a 2 weight champion is crazy talk.

I listened to the full 45 min conference call those quotes are from, GSP couldn't get a word in. That's all I'm saying....

UFC 158 Conference call

http://www.mmamania.com/2013/3/7/4076236...k-diaz-mma

We'll see the best GSP we've ever seen next weekend. Can't wait for it.

(09-03-2013 02:32 )groundnpound Wrote:  UFC Countdown show mate, don't think it's a Primetime.

GSP wants the big fight with Silva. He said it on the conference call, "I want the big fight, but the big fight now is Diaz". That's the classy, professional way a truly great champion goes about his business.

Fighters can't afford to look past the guy in front of them. Diaz going on about fighting Anderson Silva and being a 2 weight champion is crazy talk.

I listened to the full 45 min conference call those quotes are from, GSP couldn't get a word in. That's all I'm saying....

We'll see the best GSP we've ever seen next weekend. Can't wait for it.

Come on man, I know you don't like Nick Diaz but you could at least give the guy a little bit of credit, he's one of the best fighters in the sport. I'm sure GSP, Silva etc etc have all got some what of a road map set out for themselves, you can't fault Diaz for making it public.

There's no reason Diaz shouldn't fight Anderson Silva if he can make weight, it would be a good fight given Diaz's skill set, the fans want to see good fights regardless of fighter preference. I think the fight with Benson Henderson is more likely though as he's fought at that weight before.

"We'll see the best GSP we've ever seen next weekend". Leave it out, it does my head in when fighters come out with this.

To be honest I can see Diaz beating GSP, Silva & Henderson to be the first fighter to hold a belt in three different weight classes.

(09-03-2013 11:31 )mitchell Wrote:  To be honest I can see Diaz beating GSP, Silva & Henderson to be the first fighter to hold a belt in three different weight classes.

A spot of fishing I see... Bit chilly no?

A career in comedy awaits you sir....

Diaz doesn't deserve any credit Mitchell. He's an absolute clown.

He's in for the biggest beating of his life next weekend.

GSP will destroy him.


Dos Santos vs Hunt at UFC 160.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/3/9/4082...or-ufc-160

MMAMania.com did a piece on GSP earlier, they put up some stats from his career as well. Thought I'd stick them on here for anyone who hasn't seen it.



Every time "Rush" steps in the cage it is a monumental occasion for the sport, and with one of the most significant bouts of his career just around the corner, what better time than now to take a closer look at all the achievements St. Pierre has under his belt thus far.



General Statistics

*Undefeated record (4-0) when fighting in his home country of Canada. St Pierre has fought three times in Montreal and once in Toronto. UFC 158 will mark his fifth career bout north of the border.

*UFC 158 will be St. Pierre's 20th bout under the UFC banner, tying him with Chris Lytle, Chris Leben, Rich Franklin and Frank Mir for sixth all-time. Tito Ortiz holds the record with 27 UFC appearances.

*The longest tenured active welterweight on the UFC roster at nine years, one month and 16 days (as of UFC 158).

*The fourth most in total fight time in UFC history at 4 hours, 38 minutes, 12 seconds. B.J. Penn holds the record with five hours, three minutes and 51 seconds.

*The second most wins of any fighter in UFC history at 17. St. Pierre will have the chance to tie Matt Hughes' record of 18 UFC victories with a win at UFC 158.

*St. Pierre has fought in the main event in 12 of his 19 UFC appearances. The only time St. Pierre has not fought in the main event in his last 12 fights is at UFC 100 when Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir for the heavyweight championship served as the main event.

*St. Pierre currently has the second longest win-streak of any active UFC fighter at 10. UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is first with 16-straight UFC wins.


Championship Statistics

*Along with Carlos Newton, St. Pierre is one of only two Canadian UFC champions in history.

*One of only five fighters in UFC history to become two-time champion along with Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia, Cain Velasquez and Matt Hughes.

*Currently tied with Matt Hughes for the most total welterweight title defenses in UFC history at seven. St. Pierre can break the record with a win at UFC 158.

*St. Pierre's seven consecutive title defenses are the second most in UFC history and the most ever in a row in the welterweight division.

*Second to Anderson Silva for the most wins in a UFC championship at 10, Silva has 11. Can tie this record with a win at UFC 158.

*Second to Randy Couture for the most championship fights in UFC history at 12. "The Natural" fought in 15 championship bouts.

*Along with bantamweight king Dominick Cruz and heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez, is one of three current UFC champions to have avenged all of his career losses.


In-Fight Statistics

*The most completed takedowns of any fighter in UFC history with 75. Lightweight Gleison Tibau is second in this category with 66 completed takedowns.

*The highest takedown accuracy in UFC history at 78.1 percent. Nate Marquardt is second in this category at 73 percent.

*The fourth best takedown defense in UFC history at 88 percent. Tibau holds the record at 93.1 percent.

*The third best significant striking defense in UFC history at 75.6 percent. Jon Madsen in first in this category at 81.4 percent.

*The most total strikes landed in UFC history at 2188. Jon Fitch is second in this category with 2185 total strikes landed.

*The most significant strikes landed in UFC history at 1048. B.J. Penn is second with 858 significant strikes landed.

*Tied with five other fighters for the fourth most fights to go a decision in UFC history at 10. Jon Fitch and Sam Stout hold the record with 13.

*Averages the longest fight time in UFC welterweight history at 14 minutes and 39 seconds. Carlos Condit is second at 14 minutes and 37 seconds.

*Has the sixth most submissions attempts of any fighter in UFC history at 22. Chris Lytle is first in this category with 31 submission attempts.



What does all this mean? It means Georges St. Pierre is a one-of-a-kind fighter and without question the greatest welterweight to ever step foot inside the Octagon.

(09-03-2013 16:07 )groundnpound Wrote:  

(09-03-2013 11:31 )mitchell Wrote:  To be honest I can see Diaz beating GSP, Silva & Henderson to be the first fighter to hold a belt in three different weight classes.

A spot of fishing I see... Bit chilly no?

A career in comedy awaits you sir....

Diaz doesn't deserve any credit Mitchell. He's an absolute clown.

He's in for the biggest beating of his life next weekend.

GSP will destroy him.


Dos Santos vs Hunt at UFC 160.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/3/9/4082...or-ufc-160

do you two EVER agree?

(11-03-2013 01:02 )terence Wrote:  do you two EVER agree?

All the time.

(11-03-2013 01:14 )groundnpound Wrote:  

(11-03-2013 01:02 )terence Wrote:  do you two EVER agree?

All the time.

It must be when you meet for a pint in concert square because it doesn't happen on here!

(11-03-2013 01:16 )terence Wrote:  It must be when you meet for a pint in concert square because it doesn't happen on here!

Mitchell's a great lad mate. He knows I respect and enjoy reading the vast majority of his posts on here. He knows his stuff.

We just see most things differently.

thats the first conference call i've listened to and it was pretty entertaining. I like Diaz but he needs to settle down a bit and explain him self better he just starts ranting and then tails off. it doesn't help he ends every sentence with mutherfucka even though its not aimed at anyone. as for the fight, GSP definitely the favourite just so good all round, but Diaz has good boxing, bjj and incredible cardio. if he's going to have a chance its got to keep the pace high and try get a sub or tko late. most excited i've been for a fight in a while hoping for a war.

going back a bit, was really dissapointed with Struve. in his last fight he looked like he was using his height a reach and making progress. Then this fight back to brawling with Mark Hunt not a good idea for anyone, he hits like truck and has a granite chin. I don't think struve has a weak chin he's only been stopped by big hitters his defence really needs to improve though.

This season of the ultimate fighter has been good, a lot of the fighters are top level even a few who have lost early look like they have potential, clint from last weeks episode looks like he could be a real beast.

really like this fan made poster for ufc159