Nick Diaz Calls Out For Title Fight: I Don’t Have To Take A Warm-Up Fight

Former UFC Welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz has been out of fighting since his one-sided decision loss to Georges St. Pierre at UFC 158 in March 2013.

While rumors have come and gone about the polarizing striker from Stockton, nothing official has been confirmed on Diaz’ return to the cage.

That won’t stop him from running his mouth to stir things up a bit, as Diaz appeared backstage at tonight’s UFC 170 to state that there is one kind of a fight he may be willing to come back for.

That fight is an immediate title shot, because Diaz insists he’s the best chance at scoring a big pay-per-view payday for the UFC. He’s not interested in taking a warm-up fight; he only wants to fight for the belt:

“I’ve been fighting for 11 years. I already did all those [contender] fights. I don’t have to take a warm-up fight. Why would I take a warm-up fight? To help somebody out? To bring them to my level? I’ve already been through all that and you still didn’t see me take an ass whipping.”

“I don’t care, I’m talking about a title fight matchup. Bottom line, I’m the only draw here. Bottom line. We had like the third biggest [pay-per-view]. That wasn’t just because of Georges St-Pierre. And these guys aren’t doing that. People want to pay to see me fight, they want to see someone get knocked out or someone get tapped out, or they want to see me get my ass whooped like they’ve been waiting to see but they still don’t get to see.” – via FOX Sports

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Diaz may have a good point in that people will definitely tune in to see him win and to also hopefully see him get knocked out.

But win or lose, they’ll still watch.

Even after a year off from the sport, there’s not much doubt that Diaz could promptly re-assume his role as one of MMA’s most loved and hated bad boys. While St. Pierre throttled him at UFC 158, “GSP’ is now out of the picture while he takes time off from fighting, at least for now.

Meanwhile, the vacant UFC welterweight championship will find its rightful owner when Johny Hendricks squares off with Robbie Lawler at UFC 171 on March 15. Carlos Condit, the man who beat Diaz (albeit controversially) for the interim strap at UFC 143, will also face dangerous contender Tyron Woodley on the Dallas-based card.

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That could leave Diaz on the outside of a crowded title picture, depending on how things play out in three weeks. Still, Diaz insists it’d have to be something special if he were to come back, because he isn’t exactly hating the time off:

“As far as missing fighting? No. I don’t miss going in to get my ass beat. So it’s something where I’d like it to be an important deal if I’m going to fight.”

With a logjam of talent at the top of the UFC welterweight division, does Diaz deserve to come right into a title shot should he return? With the numbers he can potentially bring in, will it even matter?

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Photo: Eric Bolte for USA TODAY Sports