Rumour: Montreal (GSP vs Diaz) Pg.4 White says not so fast

[Gold Chain]

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davesimonmma David Simon
Nick Diaz v. GSP is a possibility for the main event of #UFC140 on December 10 in #Montreal #MMA #UFC

http://twitter.com/#!/davesimonmma

I know it is a rumour, but I would be very excited about this fight.

Tom Wright: “Well, I’ve heard about the Nick Diaz-GSP fight, but it is too early [to tell].”

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Ex ... real-32475

[SDM]

I'm sick of GSP fighting in Canada. I want this fight in Diaz' backyard.

[Gold Chain]

I'm sick of GSP fighting in Canada. I want this fight in Diaz' backyard.

But there's so much pot back there.

No, that's true, Georges needs to fight elsewhere for a while and feel some heat from a crowd.

I want to see if Diaz will do his hands down, taunting at the start of the fight? (Should it happen)

Really want White to make this one a reality.

[cowboyronnie]

I want it now.

[Cammo101]

Make this fight happen. In America. Add me to the list of people annoyed that GSP always seems to fight at home.

[Starkiller]

Make this fight happen. In America. Add me to the list of people annoyed that GSP always seems to fight at home.

+1

[singh_shady]

I doubt this rumor is based on anything other than Tom Wright telling David Simon that UFC 140 is happening in Montreal. Why the 6 month wait? Neither fighter has a significant injury. Obviously there's the contract issue but what could be done in 6 months that couldn't be done in 3?

I don't care where GSP fights as long as it's in 3-4 months, not 6-7.

[Gold Chain]

I doubt this rumor is based on anything other than Tom Wright telling David Simon that UFC 140 is happening in Montreal. Why the 6 month wait? Neither fighter has a significant injury. Obviously there's the contract issue but what could be done in 6 months that couldn't be done in 3?

I don't care where GSP fights as long as it's in 3-4 months, not 6-7.

The fact that Diaz is still under contract with Strikeforce, which would mean some red tape.

He also has a boxing match booked with Lacey.

This is not that far-fetched, the masses are calling for it and the UFC knows they need a hot fight for Georges, seeing as he will not be fighting Silva anytime soon.

Makes a lot of sense.

Also, maybe Tom Wright knew what he was doing slipping this nugget to someone he trusts.

I think the UFC canned Mir vs Lesnar III because of the public's distaste for it.
They seemingly probe the public reaction before officially announcing bigger fights.

[SDM]

I think the timing has more to do with the fact that GSP prefers to fight only twice a year, as he has since 2008.

[singh_shady]

He also has a boxing match booked with Lacey.

I thought that fight was dependent on whether or not Diaz got the UFC title shot? (ie. the fight against Lacey is off if a fight against GSP is booked) I might be completely off on that though, is a date for the Lacey fight already set?

[singh_shady]

I think the timing has more to do with the fact that GSP prefers to fight only twice a year, as he has since 2008.

Well to be fair, GSP did TUF which accounts for last years gap, and prior to that he had to wait for Hardy to face Swick to determine the number 1 contender for the belt.

[Gold Chain]

He also has a boxing match booked with Lacey.

I thought that fight was dependent on whether or not Diaz got the UFC title shot? (ie. the fight against Lacey is off if a fight against GSP is booked) I might be completely off on that though, is a date for the Lacey fight already set?

I heard that too.

Seems a tad strange that they'd book a fight in a different style and then say to Lacey's people:
"BTW, if we hear from GSP's people about a title fight for Nick, we're scrapping this boxing match."

You're totally right, but I find that fishy.

That said, it's smart for Diaz's people to put that out there.

And on that note, how fair is it for Lacey to train for a fight against a name opponent and then have him drop out? Seems fishy.

[Headliner]

GSP said he wanted time off after the Shields fight.
He said he didn't even want to know who his next opponent is because the minute he hears who it is, his entire mindset is changed. He wanted to recharge and relax for a bit, then get back and ready.
So that might explain the long distance.

And the UFC makes a fortune off GSP fights in Canada. I don't think they really care if American fans want him to fight in the states, they just want to capitalize on the fanfare and the positive media exposure they get every time he fights up here.

[Nemesis21]

I'm sick of GSP fighting in Canada. I want this fight in Diaz' backyard.

[skflives]

He also has a boxing match booked with Lacey.

I thought that fight was dependent on whether or not Diaz got the UFC title shot? (ie. the fight against Lacey is off if a fight against GSP is booked) I might be completely off on that though, is a date for the Lacey fight already set?

I heard that too.

Seems a tad strange that they'd book a fight in a different style and then say to Lacey's people:
"BTW, if we hear from GSP's people about a title fight for Nick, we're scrapping this boxing match."

You're totally right, but I find that fishy.

That said, it's smart for Diaz's people to put that out there.

And on that note, how fair is it for Lacey to train for a fight against a name opponent and then have him drop out? Seems fishy.

Well I'll tackle that last statement first. In MMA that would be a weird occurrence but sadly that kind of $hit happens in boxing all the time.

In any case, Nick Diaz and his team are clearly using the Lacy fight as leverage. They'll take the fight if the situation comes to that because Diaz wants to box and sounds like he'll get a good payday but that's the backup plan. His real goal is clearly the pressure the powers that be at Zuffa into getting him an even bigger payday against GSP.

[Posey H8er]

GSP vs Diaz in San Jose. that would feel right.

[jTF2]

Make this fight happen. In America. Add me to the list of people annoyed that GSP always seems to fight at home.

canadian here. +1

[spykelee]

I don't care where the fight takes place personally... I am somewhat down on Georges personally, but I can understand the UFC wanting it's biggest Canadian superstar fighting in Canada more often than not. Seems that's the way the UFC is going... Look how many Brazilian's are on that first card there... Same with Canadians on the Vancouver card. Business wise, it only makes sense

On the fight itself, my initial reaction is a GSP 5 round snooze fest. He wont stand and trade, no way... He'll take him down, beat him up a little, spend most of his time trying to pass and attempting submissions. Nick will not be able to stand back up, and other than maybe putting him into a couple of bad positions from his back, I don't see him threatining all that much.

[CPT]

I see like a 50-44 decision for GSP, but his face will end up looking mangled, and Diaz will hang his hat on that and pretend he didn't get dominated.

And that would happen whether the fight was in Montreal, San Jose, or on the moon.

I guess I can understand the frustration with GSP fighting in Canada all the time, but I think the business gained by doing it there justifies any competitive advantage gained (which I still think is minimal to none).

[cowboyronnie]

Well, yeah, the UFC isn't having the fights in Canada to give him an advantage - it's entirely business / coincidence. But it still, I believe, gives him an advantage. He loves fighting in front of the home crowd.

Diaz fights all his fights in Stockton/Cali, by the same token.