MMA Fighting reports that Nick Diaz’s camp is threatening to file a complaint against the Quebec Athletic Commission for its weight allowance and post-fight drug test.
First, the Diaz camp contests the Montreal Athletic Commission’s custom of allowing a 0.9 allowance for weigh-ins for a championship match. While a 1 pound allowance is granted in non-championship fights, the UFC has a strict rule that fighters in championship matches must weigh at the division’s limit. Diaz’s camp states that the commission allows for up to a 0.9 allowance and still be considered the weight (i.e., rounding down). So, GSP could have weight 170.9 and it would still be considered 170.
If you recall, Nate Diaz had to cut .5 pounds for his UFC on Fox 6 Lightweight Championship match against Benson Henderson.
Also, Diaz contends that the commission did not properly supervise GSP’s post-fight drug test. Diaz’s camp indicates that these two irregularities should pave the way for a rematch with GSP.
Payout Perspective:
There seems to be two issues here. The first is to determine whether the Quebec Athletic Commission properly followed the regulations with respect to determining weights. Also, whether the commission properly conducted the post-fight drug test.
The next issue is whether these issues should necessitate a rematch. This issue would interest fans the most. Would these problems have meant that the fight would have been different? Certainly if GSP used PEDs, there may be an argument. Of course, if that occurred, there would be a much bigger issue than just Diaz’s rematch. But would 0.9 lb matter in determining the result of UFC 158?
The video is interesting as the “Canadian loophole” (as someone off camera calls it) is explained to Diaz. We will see how far the Diaz camp takes the grievance and whether it will mean anything for GSP-Diaz II.
It sounds to me that there is some rules for this in Canada. Maybe having roots from boxing rules there. But sense the UFC doesnt allow it. Rather than fight to change the rules. It was just never mentioned. Until this official opened his mouth.
Lets face it. If GSP was over weight. The only thing that would have come from it would be Diaz losing his title shot. The fight would have been at a catch weight non title fight. The other option is Diaz declines the catch weight and the fight doesnt happen. But does anyone think Diaz would have declined the fight? Imagine all the talk of him being scared over .9 lbs? Not to mention GSP may have still had time to make weight or could have got on the scales bare ass as maybe made weight.
Basically it is an issue that needs to be addressed. BUt Diaz’ way of going about it really makes him look foolish and desperate. Its one thing to get a clarification but its another to try and use it for an excuse to invalidate the match and get a rematch.
I will not buy another GSP fight if his nevt fight isnt vs Hendricks. If they give Diaz a rematch i will never buy another PPV. The entire Diaz fiasco has really tested the UFC credibility. It was a stretch for him to get a title shot the first time it was booked. But i understood it sells and he was SF champ as meaningless as that was. But once it was canceled. That should have been the end of it. Once he lost and was suspended it should have been 6 feet under. But to still give him the shot when Hendricks even before the Condit fight had done more than anyone in recent memory to deserve a shot is beyond crazy.
UFC 158 appears to have exceeded 1M buys…well over the initital 800k estimates…
Isn’t Diaz claiming he wants to fight Anderson Silva? Then who cares about 0.9 lbs?
Dfdfdfd,
Source? Is that from Meltzer?
The 1.1M buys is from Yahoo! Sports Kevin Iole
If that is true then that is unbelievable! It would also mean we haven’t seen the last of Diaz. Expect the UFC to protect him for a while to capitalize on ability to stir up interest and new exposure. They can protect and build him up again for big PPV fights or they can match him with another potential star prospect and let him sink or swim and gets eyes on the new prospect and get him over. With this new value he can bring. I would be surprised if they feed him to a poor drawing wrestler that wastes him.
The best possible fight I see is Diaz vs Rory. Canadian GSP fans already hate him and love Rory. So it would have huge interest. It would really put Rory over. But would nt be a total loss if Diaz pulled it out. Diaz vs Koscheck would be interesting too as would a Diaz vs Lawler rematch.
Even if this fight had only done 800k we would not have seen the last of Diaz. He’s a brawler, which the UFC loves. And according to Dana, he’s not the worst guy to deal with. I think the UFC has finally figured out how to monetize Diaz’ personality and erratic behavior (those guys can figure out how to monetize anything). Diaz was a solid earner for SF, and he can be a solid earner for the UFC. 1.1 M buys just confirms that, but even 800k buys is nothing to sniff at.
Brain,
Considering that Diaz has lost his last 2 (though I still think he beat Condit), I was thinking Kampmann who is coming off a loss and would stand with him. Kos is also an option, though that could turn into a lay-n-pray.
Ideally for Diaz it would be a 5 round fight which would give him more chances to win, but I don’t know if he could headline a big PPV after two losses and putting Diaz on network TV is always risky. I’m guessing his next fight will be a co-main event 3-rounder on a PPV.
I just watched the video of the commission telling the Diaz camp about the “off the record” rule and it’s complete bullshit. I think Diaz is justified in complaining (although it pains me to say it) especially since he weighed in under 170 – probably because he was under the impression that he had no leeway on the scale and no extra time to lose the weight.
I don’t really mind when fighters miss press conferences, but I really mind when they miss weight. I had mentioned before how I thought GSP looked big and tired in there and not to add to conspiracy theories but I’m willing to bet he was over 170 at the weigh in. That’s not right.
The PED thing I’m not sure about – is there more information on the irregularities there? I still don’t know what happened.
All in all, it’s still tough to give Diaz a rematch considering how he was dominated, so I don’t know where all this goes.
UFC filed a copyright claim to try and bury this. The owner of the video is filing a counter-claim.
This will fail; Diaz should know by now that the accountability of athletic commissions is non-existent.
Diego.
I think if this does 800k then that is the same as almost all GSP opponents. IF that happen I think the UFC would have not protected him. Meaning his future would be up to his skills. Which imo are borderline UFC level. The level he is at would be hard for him to beat the opponents he would get without being protected. So I don’t think he would last. He is long over due to fight someone of a wrestling style. That should be his next couple fights. That isn’t good while on a 2 fights losing streak. So I expect the UFC to find a wrestler with no sub defense or a glass jaw. So Diaz can get a win over a wrestler and not look like they are protecting him. Diaz vs Story would be worth seeing imo.
I think GSP might have been over but ther eis no way it effected the fight. That’s why I think it needs to be sorted. You cant have it going on. But to use it for an excuse is crazy. Diaz should have protested when he was told. Then GSP if he was over could have been forced to make weight. But to not say anything then use it for an excuse after the fact is ridiculous. He is just making excuses for the loss and he knows the wight in didn’t matter. That’s why he didn’t mention it at all during his excuse filled rants during the post fight interviews. It was only later when his management wanted to leverage it into another big money fight.
Machiel Van
I would try to hide it too if I was the UFC. This can give them and the sport a huge black eye and they had no control over it. They did everything they could to get sanctioned in Canada and some commissions are still not sold on MMA. They don’t have the leverage to raise hell with them or get the rules they want. If the commission is going to use a rule off the books then there is nothing they can do.
BS,
I think the UFC could have done something. The commission can’t make up rules on the fly. I think they didn’t want to do anything because they thought they could just sweep it under the rug. Their PPV king was about to miss weight in a title fight. That’s not something the UFC wanted to happen.
I agree that it did not significantly affect the outcome of the fight.
That’s the thing. We don’t know they made up rules on the fly. Just because it isn’t part of the unified rules does t mean it isnt in the rules for that commission. We also don’t know if GSP would have missed weight. GSP’s former manager and fight promoter said the commission has a rule that you only get one chance to make weight. Well that is t the case in any of the other states the UFC runs events in. So clearly they have their own rules. GSP could have had time to cut more weight we don’t know if he had more time or if he was even over weight. If he gets another chance like other states give you atleast 2 hours. He makes weight. Heck he could have dropped his shorts and made it. But I think it is a long shot to think GSP wasn’t going to make weight.
I also don’t think there is any conspiracy here and noone was trying to help GSP. If they was they wouldnt have told Diaz in the first place before the weigh ins even took place.
You claim there is something they could do. Like what? You think they can force the commission to change their rules? No. They can’t even change result of the fight. Only commissions can do that. The UFC can refuse to run events there. Buts that’s about it. If I was the UFC and this rule was on the books. I would have done the same thing they seemed to have done. Not acknowledge the no decimal rules and have business as usual. It creates fan confusion to have different rules and pointless to have for 1 commission.
Now that it is out and made public. The rule needs to be addressed. But I think the UFC was in the right trying to hide it. I don’t think they had control over the rule and their hands are tied after the fact. It was only going to put a black cloud over a huge even for no reason. The rule didn’t effect anything. They can’t do a rematch because it would t sell and it would hurt the WW division that has already been put on hold because of Diaz. He drick can’t wait another year.
This is only an issue because Diaz is a sore loser. He should have protested when he was told which was before the weigh in and fight. He did t because it was a non issue. It only needs addressed now to prevent fighters later using it as an excuse.