With Diaz vs. GSP in place, many new options open in UFC
Wednesday night, Dana White made a big announcement by saying Strikeforce welterweight champion, Nick Diaz, will now face UFC welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre, at UFC 137 in October.
Apparently White was able to tear up Diaz’ old contract and sign him to a new one that basically allowed White to make any matches involving Diaz that he pleased in either organization.
If White can do it once, he can do it as many times as he would like.
How about Gilbert Melendez?
The Strikeforce lightweight champion has been campaigning for a unification bout with the UFC champion and now, the planned order of contenders in the UFC seems to be shifting.
It appears that Anthony Pettis, who was the No. 1 contender after winning the WEC title, will now have to win two fights before getting a crack at the UFC strap, according to Fighters Only Magazine.
“That kid’s in a bad position. He’s supposed to be the next in line. All this craziness happens. [Edgar and Maynard] both get hurt, and it gets pushed back again. The first one is a draw, then they get hurt, and it gets pushed back again. But this is one of those things that happens in a sport like this,” says UFC president Dana White.
“I respect [Pettis] for stepping up and taking on a tough guy like Guida, and he’ll probably have to fight again before he gets a shot at one of those guys. Sucks for him. It’s a shi–y position for him to be in.”
If Pettis is fighting Guida before Edgar-Maynard III even takes place, why would he have to fight again? This tells me that White has someone else in mind as the next challenger for the UFC belt.
I don’t see it being Jim Miller, as he is already booked for the fall against Benson Henderson.
Melendez is without a fight scheduled, so this may mean more big title vs. title fights to come.
It could also open up the door for a big heavyweight clash in the future once the Strikeforce Grand Prix has been weeded out.
It is an exciting time for fight fans and it is hard to argue that the UFC isn’t putting on the best fights possible.
Posted in: Events, Fighters, News, Strikeforce, UFC
Tags: Anthony Pettis, Clay Guida, Frankie Edgar, Georges St. Pierre, Gilbert Melendez, Gray Maynard, Jim Miller, Nick Diaz, Strikeforce, UFC