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[Cat--Smasher]

Nick Diaz 'Sick' of Georges St-Pierre Overshadowing Carlos Condit

One thing can be certain after Thursday afternoon's UFC 143 press conference: Nick Diaz has a great deal of respect for Carlos Condit. Breaking custom, he even shook Condit's hand after the two posed for photographers at the conclusion of the event, held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. It was a noticeable change for Diaz, who has flipped off, shoved and otherwise attempted to menace several prospective opponents in the days before a fight.

But this Diaz was different: quiet, mellow and reserved. There were no outbursts or complaints about respect. There were no scathing criticisms of anything surrounding the sport. In fact, he saved his only prolonged oration to defend his opponent.

Yes, Diaz came to the side of Condit, after being asked about Georges St-Pierre overshadowing Condit in the lead-up to UFC 143.

"Yeah, I think it makes me sick," he said. "This is Carlos’ time to be here, and to be a part of this main event. This is ... half of the show is built up around me fighting Georges St-Pierre. But that's not [right]. I’m fighting Carlos Condit. So, I don't like it."

As Diaz observed, St-Pierre has been noticeably visible during event week, even holding court with reporters on Wednesday to offer a status update on his injured knee. Of course, he also spoke about the UFC 143 main event, saying that he "hopes and prays" Diaz wins, so that he eventually gets to fight him.

Because of that, along with the contrasting archetypes the two represent, Condit has been something of an odd-man out, even though he has the chance to play spoiler to the story line and capture the interim welterweight title in the process.

Diaz reiterated his belief that Condit is actually a more dangerous foe than St-Pierre is, meaning that quite literally. As in, Condit is much more likely to do physical harm in an octagon than St-Pierre is.

"You’re more in danger of losing a decision to Georges St-Pierre," he said. "I think you’re more in danger of losing your teeth if you're fighting Condit here."

Aside from those two telling answers, Diaz seemed a bit unengaged in the proceedings, asking reporters to repeat questions on at least two occasions. Contrary to his normal, digressive speaking style, he was short and concise, rarely offering more than a one-sentence response.

Of course, that's not that unusual for fighters who are making their final weight cut, but Diaz is facing a whole new level of scrutiny as he's ascended up the welterweight rankings and become seen as a real threat to St-Pierre.

All of that buildup will essentially be wasted if Condit pulls the mild upset (Diaz is about a 2-to-1 favorite). Condit has won 12 of his last 13 fights, so the suggestion that the fight is a gimme for Diaz is a ridiculous assertion.

Condit himself admitted that at times, it's felt that the St-Pierre vs. Diaz fight is being planned "before this one even happens," but likes his chances of playing spoiler. Regardless, he suggested that while fans may be clamoring for St-Pierre vs. Diaz, they may be missing a gem right under their noses.

"I expect a war," he said. "Honestly, Nick is probably the toughest dude I've ever fought. He's well-rounded, he has a pretty dynamic skill set. He's pretty similar to me. We both come to fight. No matter who wins, fans are going to win because it’s going to be a phenomenal fight."

Nick Diaz 'Sick' of Georges St-Pierre Overshadowing Carlos Condit - MMA Fighting

[goodtimes]

Ya all this hype for Diaz/GSP is pretty stupid, because this fight is almost guaranteed to be much more exciting and competitive. I'm pumped for this card tomorrow, and it's not often I can get pumped around just a main event.

[Masscore]

I think Diaz/Condit will be way more entertaining then either fight with GSP, but thats because unless GSP comes back gimpy then he is going to run through either of them. Diaz and Condit just do not have the takedown defense to keep GSP standing for any period of time and neither of them are killers off their back. So GSP will just take them down, beat them up and walk away with a decision victory.

Hell I think neither of them will be champion by the time GSP comes back. Either Koscheck or Hendricks will knock them off in the mean time.

[0mega1]

Originally Posted by Masscore

I think Diaz/Condit will be way more entertaining then either fight with GSP, but thats because unless GSP comes back gimpy then he is going to run through either of them. Diaz and Condit just do not have the takedown defense to keep GSP standing for any period of time and neither of them are killers off their back. So GSP will just take them down, beat them up and walk away with a decision victory.

Hell I think neither of them will be champion by the time GSP comes back. Either Koscheck or Hendricks will knock them off in the mean time.

Dont both of them have several submission victories off of their back? Its a known fact that Diaz is slick as hell in the Jits game so I wouldnt be shocked to see Diaz put GSP in some danger even from his guard.

I hope Koscheck never becomes champion, actually I hope he gets knocked out in every fight. (one of my favorite fights is when Paulo Thiago knocked his ass out)

[Masscore]

Originally Posted by 0mega1

Dont both of them have several submission victories off of their back? Its a known fact that Diaz is slick as hell in the Jits game so I wouldnt be shocked to see Diaz put GSP in some danger even from his guard.

I hope Koscheck never becomes champion, actually I hope he gets knocked out in every fight. (one of my favorite fights is when Paulo Thiago knocked his ass out)

GSP has sat in the guard of Penn twice and never really came close to being submitted. Penn showed in his fight with Diaz that his BJJ is just on another level then Diaz. So I highly doubt Diaz would be able to submit GSP.

Outside of Diaz submission of Gomi, Condit and Diaz both have not really submitted guys off their backs. Plus throw in the fact GSP has some of the best sub defense in the game and is amazing at passing guard and getting out of trouble. I highly doubt either of them will be able to do much.

The winner of the Diaz/Condit will be a very temporary "champion." Neither of them will ever defend the title and will lose it in their next fight. Whether it be GSP, Kos or Hendricks.

[macewen]

Originally Posted by Masscore

GSP has sat in the guard of Penn twice and never really came close to being submitted. Penn showed in his fight with Diaz that his BJJ is just on another level then Diaz. So I highly doubt Diaz would be able to submit GSP.

Outside of Diaz submission of Gomi, Condit and Diaz both have not really submitted guys off their backs. Plus throw in the fact GSP has some of the best sub defense in the game and is amazing at passing guard and getting out of trouble. I highly doubt either of them will be able to do much.

The winner of the Diaz/Condit will be a very temporary "champion." Neither of them will ever defend the title and will lose it in their next fight. Whether it be GSP, Kos or Hendricks.

how the hell did he show that? off the takedown diaz rolled him instantly, penn couldnt get both hooks in on diazs back, then diaz got to his feet, if anything, it showed that diaz jits nulified penns...thats in no way showing penn was on another level lol

[Masscore]

Originally Posted by macewen

how the hell did he show that? off the takedown diaz rolled him instantly, penn couldnt get both hooks in on diazs back, then diaz got to his feet, if anything, it showed that diaz jits nulified penns...thats in no way showing penn was on another level lol

Penn took him down and immediatly took his back. Penn has won world titles and submitted black belt after black belt in MMA. If you even think for a second that Diaz is anywhere close to Penn when it comes to BJJ you need to realize the difference between being really good at something and being world class.

[initial_zen]

Originally Posted by Masscore

Penn took him down and immediatly took his back. Penn has won world titles and submitted black belt after black belt in MMA. If you even think for a second that Diaz is anywhere close to Penn when it comes to BJJ you need to realize the difference between being really good at something and being world class.

Idk, i think diaz is more dangerous off his back. Bj definitely is more technical, but he seems to passive when he's on his back and if you avoid him taking your back from guard or standing up, he seems to get nullified. Nick seems to attack more things from the bottom and creates scrambles.. Bj is much much better from the top though, no doubt

[dbader08]

Originally Posted by Masscore

Penn took him down and immediatly took his back. Penn has won world titles and submitted black belt after black belt in MMA. If you even think for a second that Diaz is anywhere close to Penn when it comes to BJJ you need to realize the difference between being really good at something and being world class.

lol Penn never secured both hooks and didn't seem to want much to do with Diaz's guard once Nick retained it. Its funny how people use BJ Penn being a BJJ world champion like 10 years ago to say he's better than somebody at BJJ. I would take Nick's BJJ over BJ's, I guarantee you GSP wouldn't pass Nick's guard like butter much like he did to Penn's...shit, he got Fitch and Frankie's back's and he couldn't come close to submitting...if Nick Diaz gets your back there is a pretty damn good chance you are gonna get submitted or take a good beating while he's there, instead of being so tired that he just hangs on for as long as possible...

[Masscore]

Originally Posted by initial_zen

Idk, i think diaz is more dangerous off his back. Bj definitely is more technical, but he seems to passive when he's on his back and if you avoid him taking your back from guard or standing up, he seems to get nullified. Nick seems to attack more things from the bottom and creates scrambles.. Bj is much much better from the top though, no doubt

Cool, Diaz is good off his back. But what makes anyone think he is going to be able to do anything worth while with GSP on top of him, punching him in the face. Everyone seems to ignore the fact that GSP might have the best Top Game in the history of MMA. He is always in good position, passes with ease and has great submission defense. On top of all that there is not a single WW that stop GSP from taking them down.

This whole thing is just another UFC hype train trying to build up two guys who really have no chance in hell against GSP. When GSP finally fights one of them (if he does) he will cut through them like he has with everyone else.