During Wednesday’s open workouts in Las Vegas, Nick Diaz explained to the media why he doesn’t like to hang around his opponents leading up to a fight. “Carlos is a very well rounded guy. He’s tough and it will be a fight. I’m cool with him, but like always I don’t want to be around him because I am fighting him. I don’t act one way in front of a camera and another way when I’m not. I’m emotional but I don’t stage anything. People say I am crazy but I think other people are crazy for acting all nice around people they are supposed to fight. I don’t put on a show, what you see is what you get, and sorry some people can’t handle that. With me, you get the real me, real martial arts and a real warrior mentality. I don’t act [like] friends with anyone I am going to fight. That’s crazy, I don’t understand that. Some people aren’t mature enough to understand I don’t want to put on an act for the cameras. I’m real. I’m acting natural, I don’t want to be friends around a guy I am about to fight. This isn’t soccer, it is fighting. I’ve got no problem that this is a sporting event and being respectful but it is a fight. It is what it is. It matters how I am seen by fans, sometimes I care, sometimes I don’t but when I think about it I try to be real.” This explains a lot about Diaz, but some fans will still hate him based on his antics in the cage. I’m sure he does it to make his opponent make a mistake, but it does rub some people the wrong way. What I do find ironic is that the same people that love Nick Diaz for what he does inside the cage, talk down on Anderson Silva for what he does inside the cage. It’s basically the same thing.
In an interview with MMAJunkie.com, Dana White addressed the criticism following the “decision-heavy” UFC on Fox 2 show. “There was so much hype for (Chael) Sonnen vs. (Michael) Bisping and the (Demian) Maia fight. Even after it changed, people were like, ‘It’s even more exciting now.’ And then after, everybody’s like, ‘Aww, they set themselves up for these boring fights.’ Shut up. People who come out after and say, ‘Oh, we knew (this was going to happen),’ you’re a liar. You’re a liar, you’re an idiot, and you sound like an idiot when you say that. These fights all looked exciting. You just never know what’s going to happen. Anything can happen on any given night…You could have three fights go to decisions, or you could have three fights that you think are going to go longer and it lasts 60 seconds. It’s fighting. Dana is 100% correct, this is fighting, and anything can happen. People complained about the Velasquez/dos Santos fight lasting only a minute, and they complained about all three of these past fights going to the judges. Bottom line: people will complain. These are fights and fights are unpredictable. Not every fight is the greatest fight ever, but there will be a Fox card that will be electric. Just wait for it.
UFC President Dana White told the media on Thursday that Dan Henderson has decided wait for the winner of the UFC 145 main event between Jones and Evans, and not take another fight. “Dan Henderson’s in a position right now where it looks like he wants to wait for Jon Jones.” It doesn’t make sense for Henderson to take another fight. He’s 41 years old and only getting old. He put himself in line for a title shot and I have no problem with him waiting on the winner. Funny that Dana White said that Henderson was waiting on ‘Jones’ and not ‘Evans/Jones winner.’
UFC officials announced Wednesday night that Brandon Vera will meet Thiago Silva in a rematch on May 15 in Fairfax, VA, likely at the Patriot Center, on the UFC on FX 3 card. Vera has wanted this since he found out that Silva cheated in victory, and openly campaigned for the fight as soon as Silva’s suspension was lifted, so I’m not shocked that this is happening. Hopefully it’s not one-sided like it was last time.
The UFC’s longtime pay-per-view gladiator intro is finally dead, as Dana White revealed that the organization will unveil a new opening video on Saturday night for UFC 143. The new 60-second clip is called “Evolvution” and is a tribute to the fighters and moments that helped the UFC get to where they are today. White said, “Probably the most important part of this new piece is that it pays tribute to all the guys who have helped build the company and the sport over the last ten years during the Zuffa era.” So sad. And I hear that the intro song (Stemm – Face the Pain) is being done away with too, so expect something entirely different ladies and gentlemen. I do think it’s cool that they are paying homage to all the fighters that poured their blood, sweat, and tears into the cage though. Dana said it cost a “ridiculous” amount of money, so hopefully it’s done well.
