Why Nick Diaz Must beat GSP
By Abel CarvOctober 29, 2011, an epic battle was supposed to take place between Nick Diaz and Georges St-Pierre, however due to failure to show up at press confrences, and an injury on part of GSP the bout was scrapped in lieu of Nick Diaz vs B.J. Penn. Diaz gratiously beat Penn by a unanimous decision, but the damage was already done to his career. Fast forward a year and a half later, the highly anticipated GSP vs Diaz superfight is once again on the table, but this time, Diaz is in a must-win situation.
Originally, the fight could have been viewed as a "superfight" with Diaz coming off a 10 fight winning streak and entering after having just vacated his Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. At the time, GSP was on a 9 fight winning streak and the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion. Neither man was going in off of a long hiatus. Both were in their prime. Now, GSP is on a 10 fight winning streak, but is coming off an injury and may not be as tough as before, but has the hometown advantage. Diaz has a tough task ahead of him. He's coming in off a loss and and after serving some drug suspensions. He has also been very vocal and vulgar leding up to this fight, though most of it is media perpetuated. In promo's Diaz has promised victory, promising to use his boxing expertise. Diaz is in a must-win situation, because a loss could easily deplete his credibility. Currently while he has a 26-8-1 overall record, he is only 7-5-1 in the UFC, which is hardly as impressive. He also has a track-record for losing to opponents in the UFC that he's verbally abused and gotten into altercations with such as Diego Sanchez, Joe Riggs, and Shean Sherk. Now, the question of whether or not Diaz can cash the checks with his ass that his mouth writes, must be asked. Two years after last having a belt around his waist, Diaz needs to prove that he's still got it. Do or die time it maybe, but if anyone has a fighting chance against GSP, it is certainly Diaz. To beat GSP, Diaz must out box GSP in the standup game, utilizing his high work rate to chip away at the champ while racking up favour with the jduges. On the ground, he must use his SAMBO to throw off GSP's BJJ ground game. He also may attempt to work GSP's compromised knees and utilize his superior cardio. Who do you think will win? Is this a do or die fight for Diaz? You decide. |
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