The circumstances leading up to UFC 137 were crazy and at times bizarre. So why should we be surprised that the event ended with a crazy announcement. At the UFC 137 Post Fight Press Conference, Dana White announced that Carlos Condit will no longer get his title fight with George St. Pierre and that Condit has agreed to step aside.
Instead Nick Diaz, who beat BJ Penn into retirement, will be getting the title shot once again and it will happen in February during Super Bowl weekend.
According to Dana White GSP went crazy when Nick Diaz, in his post fight interview with Joe Rogan, accused GSP of not really being injured and scared to fight him. Although the UFC cameras cut to GSP at ringside smiling and taking it in stride, apparently the UFC welterweight champion lost it on Dana White and begged to fight Diaz sooner than later.
“Let me put it to you this way,” White said. “I’ve known Georges St-Pierre since 2004 and he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He’s exactly the same no matter what the situation is, no matter who he’s fighting. Since 2004, I’ve never seen him like he was tonight. Georges St-Pierre flipped out tonight after Nick Diaz was in the ring. Nick needs motivation, he’s got it – he’s going to fight Georges St-Pierre. Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside and fight the next guy.”
George St. Pierre took it even further by calling Nick Diaz out in a written statement.
“This is what I wanted since the beginning,” St-Pierre said in the statement. “Let’s do what was supposed to be done originally. I’ve always wanted this fight – now I want it even more. I can’t wait for Super Bowl weekend. Nick Diaz is the most disrespectful human being I’ve ever met, and I’m going to put the worst beating you’ve ever seen on him in the UFC.”
So it appears that Nick Diaz is getting what he wants and doesn’t mind being the bad guy.
“You’ve got to come off like that just to get a fight,” Diaz said. “Know what I’m saying? I’ve got to be the bad guy. You point the finger, make me the bad guy, and now I get to fight.”
For most fans this fight makes a lot of sense. It’s the fight that most of us wanted to see to begin with. Although some will be critical of Dana White and the UFC for continuing to play musical chairs with the division, from a business standpoint it is a sexier match up. You have to feel for Carlos Condit who in some ways is getting screwed here. You have to wonder if maybe the UFC threw some money Condit’s way to agree to the change.
Condit will have to fight in a number one contender’s match in February on the same card as GSP vs. Diaz. There are rumors circulating that it will be Jon Fitch. The stacked Super Bowl weekend UFC event is scheduled for February 4th and rumored to be in Las Vegas. If Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen 2 is also booked for that event, we could see it moved to a larger venue. Dallas anyone?
Whatever the case, I think we have learned by now that you never know what’s going to happen when it comes to the UFC. Things change daily.
-Corner Man-
Twitter: @tdueckmania
I for one cannot wait til gsp can beat down Diaz, in february Gsp is a very respectful amazing fighter and Diaz knows that and is scared. He also needs to remember if gsp wasn’t hurt for ufc 137 he wouldn’t even of been fighting as per no appearance at his press conferences. Once again just shows how disrespectful Diaz is. Bring it Diaz be prepared to get beat down!!!
Also, would really like to know as soon as possible where the fight will b head to order tickets!!