No hype, Diaz wants his respect

There was very little hype needed to sell Saturday night’s UFC 158 pay per view main event between Nick Diaz and welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre. For all the talk of Diaz being disrespectful and painted as some sort of bad guy,the reality is that he is just a hungry fighter who wants to prove he’s the best.

The buildup couldn’t have asked for more as the two fighters got into a heated exchange during last week’s media conference call. After all that was said, the message beneath it all was that Diaz is a fighter who has earned the opportunity to fight for the UFC championship after years of fighting outside the organization he once called home.

Diaz who fought in the UFC during his early 20’s was still a raw product at that time but there was no denying the talent he possessed. His most memorable moment came against Robbie Lawler who Diaz defeated by knockout.

Upon leaving the UFC, Diaz would go on to compete in Pride FC, Elite XC and Strikeforce. He earned a title in Strikeforce where he competed in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. Hungry for challenges, Diaz defeated any fighter outside the UFC who presented a challenge.

His constant calls for a super fight against UFC champion St-Pierre started even before Zuffa had purchased the Strikeforce brand. Fans of the Stockton, California fighter quickly took to social media and began to rally for the anti-hero in Diaz.

The Cesar Gracie fighter may be accused of not playing the game but one thing he has always done is show up to fight. Fully aware of that, the recent words of Diaz who challenged the fighting style of St-Pierre and other wrestlers who choose to play it safe to a decision win, has resonated with fans thirsty for an action packed fight.

Diaz is complex in that he can express himself in an honest manner and sometimes is accused of maybe being too honest. “I think that he knows that I’m the right guy to be in this position right now,” said Diaz during the media conference call.

Fighting the best is one thing but being recognized for what he’s accomplished is something that Diaz craves. “I don’t get a lot of recognition for what I’ve done to be here.I’m coming here to whip this guy’s ass. And then before you know it, the fight happens nobody knows who I am. I guess everybody does but as far as the main stream magazines and your Nike, Adidas,” said Diaz.

The buildup hit its peak during Friday’s weigh in, where both fighters had to be separated by UFC president Dana White. St-Pierre has said in the past that Diaz reminds him of the bullies who he once dealt with as a child.This week  it is Diaz who has spoken free about his own dealing with what he calls hard times growing up in Stockton.

In a Thursday interview with ESPN’s Todd Grisham a calm and collected Diaz would reveal some insight that is rarely heard outside of his inner circle. “You know we all had to go through these sort of things. He really thinks that I deserve that. He really wants the people to believe that I deserve to get my face smashed in and everybody believes that, everybody thinks that. It’s upsetting. The reality is that I believe I had more bullying than him and without that I wouldn’t be who I am today,” said Diaz.

It still needs to be decided on Saturday night if Diaz will be the next UFC welterweight champion but what is known is that he has arrived on the big stage. The talent has always been there but now when Diaz speaks his mind, the fans can hear the message, he wants his respect. Something tells me that by the end of the night he will have earned it.