Diaz suspension license issued by Commision

Marijauna found in Diaz suspends fighter

By Mike Chiappetta – Senior Writer

Feb 22, 2012 – A temporary suspension of Nick Diaz’s fighter license was issued during a Wednesday meeting of the Nevada state athletic commission, stemming from the positive drug sample he produced during the weekend of UFC 143.

The suspension was requested by Nevada deputy attorney general Christopher Eccles, and unanimously approved by the commission until a follow-up disciplinary meeting can be scheduled. At that hearing, Diaz will have the opportunity to present a defense. He was not present at Wednesday’s meeting.

When he does sit before the commission, he will likely have to answer not only for his recent drug screening failure which saw him test positive for marijuana metabolites, but also for a previous failed screening back in February 2007, also for marijuana. At that time, he was suspended for six months and fined 20 percent of his purse.

During Wednesday’s meeting, commission chairman Skip Avansino requested notes and minutes from the 2007 Nevada matter, as well as any related disciplinary information from other states in preparation of Diaz’s upcoming hearing.

The stage was also set for a possible defense that could include a retroactive request for a medical marijuana exemption, as Eccles noted a belief that “the question will come up” given Diaz’s personal license for medical use in California.

NSAC executive director Keith Kizer recently told MMA Fighting that no fighter had ever applied for a medial marijuana therapeutic use exemption, but that the commission would take the same steps as normal when considering the request.

In addition to as much as a one-year suspension, Diaz faces the possibility of a financial fine, as the commission asked to receive “full data” on his purse as well as any bonuses earned for his participation at UFC 143. Diaz earned a salary of $200,000 for the bout — a unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit — but likely received undisclosed bonuses that may also be affected.

Diaz has hired Las Vegas attorney Ross Goodman to defend him during the upcoming hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

Condit Accepts Rematch With Nick Diaz

One day after Carlos Condit’smanagement insisted that Nick Diaz was in his rearview mirror, there seems to be a change of course for the new UFC interim welterweight champion. Late on Tuesday night, UFC president Dana White tweeted that Condit accepted the proposal for a rematch, and would travel to Las Vegas on Friday in hopes of finalizing the deal.

“The rumor is true. Carlos did accept the fight today and Carlos is coming on Friday not [Thursday],” he wrote.

Early Wednesday morning, White told MMA Fighting via text that he had no timetable yet for the bout’s date, as he’s currently in Brazil filming an international version of The Ultimate Fighter.

However, he returns on Thursday and will meet with Condit about making the rematch a reality.

As recently as Monday, Condit’s manager Malki Kawa told MMA Fighting that he would advise his client to focus on a potential championship unification with linear title holder Georges St-Pierre.

“At this point, [a rematch] is not something we’re looking to do,” he said. “We’re looking for Georges.

But apparently, Condit was swayed by the outcry over the decision. The three cageside judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 for Condit.

Reaction to the decision was split, with Diaz supporters noting that he was often the aggressor, moving forward and initiating the action, while Condit supporters believed he employed an effective counterstriking style that allowed him to land more blows during the course of the five-round bout.

Regardless of the outcome, it was a departure from his usual style. Known for his aggression and finishing instincts, Condit had stopped opponents in 26 of his 27 career wins prior to UFC 143.

Afterward, Diaz said he would retire, voicing frustration with the judging system. Meanwhile, White said he would allow Condit to chart his own course and wait for GSP if that was his wish. But now it appears that instead of hanging up his gloves, Diaz will get the chance to avenge his loss, and instead of preparing for St-Pierre, Condit will spend the next few months getting ready to face Diaz one more time

GSP’s injury adds weight to Nick Diaz’s accusations

By ChrisGreenman on Dec 10, 2011 with Comments 0

Georges St. Pierre out with knee injury

For the first time since 2006, the UFC will promote a welterweight championship fight without the considerable star power of Georges St. Pierre.

St. Pierre has been forced from a Feb. 4 title defense in Las Vegas against Nick Diaz after injuring his knee, the second time in less than two months the Canadian has faced such adversity.

On a conference call Wednesday, St. Pierre’s doctor said the fighter suffered a completely torn ACL in his right knee and is expected to need 6 to 9 months to recover following surgery.

St. Pierre instead will sit on the sideline as Diaz meets Carlos Conditfor an interim UFC welterweight belt, White announced on his Twitter page Wednesday.

Trainer John Danaher said St. Pierre attempted to train through recent injuries to both knees, but that one of the knees felt unstable.

“It did not appear to heal and training suffered,” Danaher said in a text message. “He went in for MRI and it clearly revealed (an) ACL tear and MCL damage. We are now weighing surgery options. He is obviously very disappointed — he is used to training every day, so this long layoff will be difficult to endure.”

The news caps a frustrating year for St. Pierre, who’s fought just once, a decision victory over Jake Shields in April.

St. Pierre was scheduled to face Diaz in October, but the UFC removed Diaz from the fight for failing to fulfill his promotional duties. Condit was to take Diaz’s place, but that bout was sideswiped when St. Pierre’s knee gave way while training.

After Diaz defeated B.J. Penn in a revamped main event at UFC 137, he was reinstalled as St. Pierre’s next challenger.

Diaz and Condit will now fill the void as headliners on UFC 143, scheduled for Super Bowl weekend at the Mandalay Bay.

Diaz steps into the interim title fight on the strength of 11 straight wins, including an impressive showing against Penn in late October. Condit, meanwhile, has captured 12 of his last 13 fights, and established himself as one of the sternest tests in the UFC welterweight division.

Diaz-Condit will be the second interim UFC welterweight title fight in the division’s history. The first came in 2007, when St. Pierre fought Matt Hughes while the sitting champion, Matt Serra, recovered from injury.

Josh Gross is a mixed martial arts writer for ESPN.com.

Rashad Evans continues to trash talk jon Jones, Why?

Yes, Rashad Evans is still talking about Jon Jones.

That’s mostly a function of his being asked about the light heavyweight champion, though, and that was the case this past weekend. “Suga” was the featured fighter at the UFC 138 Fight Club Q&A in Birmingham, England, and fans wanted to know who would win if Jones fought Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.

Rashad’s reply:

“Honestly, I think… I would say Anderson would win. I think he would catch Jon standing up because I think Jon does a lot of crazy stuff but, fundamentally, sometimes he does it just to do it. But I think Anderson has a reason, like Anderson, fundamentally and technically, is better in that respect and I think he would catch (Jones) doing something stupid. If the fight was to go a little bit longer and Jon used his wrestling then I think the fight may go to Jon. But for the most part, early on in the fight, Anderson would catch Jon trying to do something crazy.”

Silva’s speed, technique and pinpoint accuracy would be enough to defeat Jones’ superior size, length and unorthodox striking. That’s one way of looking at it.

Another is to say that “Bones” would stifle “The Spider” with a suffocating top game, much like Chael Sonnen did to the middleweight champ back at UFC 117. Of course, Sonnen went on to lose that fight via triangle choke.

This one would be a tough call, no question. Who do you Maniacs think wins?

Evans answered plenty more questions during his near hour long on stage session in front of fans, including more on his feud with Jones and fighters he wishes he could have fought before they retired from MMA.

UFC 137 Results

“UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz” Live Results and Play-by-Play

Written by 5thRound.com Staff
October 29th, 2011

“UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz” is officially jumping off inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Facebook will kick off tonight’s festivities by streaming four live preliminary bouts at 6:15PM ET/3:15PM PT.

Fans simply have to “Like” the UFC’s Facebook page in order to watch the scraps for free. Spike TV will then broadcast a pair of prelims immediately following the stream at 8PM ET/5PM PT.

Unfortunately the freebie fights end there, as fans will have to pay for the goods when the pay-per-view begins at 9PM ET/6PM PT.

A heavyweight shootout between Matt Mitrione and Cheick Kongo will serve as the night’s co-main event, while welterweights BJ Penn and Nick Diaz will close the show.

Here are the official results and play-by-play from tonight’s action:

Preliminary Bouts:

(Facebook 6:15PM ET/3:15PM PT)

Clifford Starks Defeated Dustin Jacoby via Unanimous Decision(30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

1stRound: Very little action to start the scrap, with Jacoby winning the brief exchanges. Starks answers with a right hand. After much jousting, Starks secures a takedown. Starks, 10-9.

2ndRound: Jacoby scores with a right to start the round. Another slow round, with Starks getting another late takedown. Decent action by Starks, but the ground-and-pound wasn’t anything of the devastating variety. Starks, 10-9.

3rdRound: Much of the same from both fighters to start the final stanza. However, this time Starks gets his takedown with three minutes to go. Uneventful way to start the evening. Starks, 10-9, 30-27 sweep.

Francis Carmont Defeated Chris Camozzi via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

1stRound: A ton of hype surrounding Carmont, let’s see. He gets a takedown less than a minute in. Camozzi manages to get up and has Carmont pressed against the fence. Camozzi lands a knee to the midsection. Carmont trying hard for a single-leg, but Camozzi fends him off. Close round to call. Camozzi, 10-9.

2ndRound: Carmont tags him with a right while in the clinch. Camozzi has him pressed against the cage again. Carmont nails him with two knees to the midsection. He takes Camozzi’s back, picks him up and slams him to the canvas. Camozzi tries to get up and eats two big shots to the dome and drops. Carmont, 10-9.

3rdRound: Carmont comes out flinging haymakers, but nothing significant lands. He screams at Camozzi. While it might appear as though Carmont is dominating, this fight is still up for grabs. Carmont secures a takedown and stands over his opponent. He lets Camozzi up. Camozzi tries for a kimura as the horn sounds. Carmont, 10-9 and wins 29-28.

Ramsey Nijem Defeated Danny Downes via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27)

1stRound: Nijem comes out firing and tags Downes several times before planting him on the ground. He gets up for a brief moment, but Nijem leads him right back to the mat. Nijem takes his back and is attempting a rear-naked choke. Downes survives and the fight is back standing. Nijem is overwhelming him. Nijem, 10-9.

2ndRound: Nijem connects on a one-two. Actually, he’s tagging him with everything he throws. Nijem goes for a takedown, but Downes has him in an inverted triangle for a moment. Nijem gets free and puts his opponent on the ground. Nijem goes for anther rear-naked, but can’t finish. Nijem, 10-9.

3rdRound: Nijem gets him to the canvas and has four minutes to work. Downes gives up his back again and allows Nijem to practice more of his rear-naked chokes. No finish. Nijem, 10-9 and takes the scrap 30-27.

Brandon Vera Defeated Eliot Marshall via Unanimous Decision(29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

1stRound: Vera comes out aggressive, unlike in his previous fights. Vera throwing a ton of leg kicks. He follows up with a knee and has Marshall pressed against the cage. Most exciting fight of the night thus far. Vera, 10-9.

2ndRound: Marshall comes out like a house on fire to start the second stanza. He has Vera clinched against the fence, but Vera is able to easily reverse. Vera takes him to the ground. Not much damage being inflicted, but he tags Marshall with a knee to the face as they get back to their feet. Vera, 10-9.

3rdRound: Don’t call it a comeback. Marshall drops Vera with two big shots and pounces. However, “The Truth” manages to survive the onslaught as they get back to their feet. Vera now has him press against the cage. It appears as though Vera has recovered. Marshall takes him down and gets his back. Vera trying to survive a rear-naked choke, but there’s still a minute remaining in the fight. Marshall transitions to an armbar to no avail. Marshall, 10-9, but Vera takes the fight 29-28.

(Spike TV 8PM ET/5PM PT)

Bart Palaszewski Defeated Tyson Griffin via KO (Punches) 2:45 in the 1stRound

1stRound: After an extended feeling out period, Palaszewski made Griffin feel his wrath. After stunning Griffin with a left hook, he went in for the kill and unleashed a barrage of punches. Griffin drops like a sack of rocks and the fight is called.

Donald Cerrone Defeated Dennis Siver via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:22 in the 1stRound

1stRound:

This could be ‘Fight of the Night.’ They both come out firing and Cerrone rocks him with a head kick. Cerrone jumped on Siver, but it appears he has recovered. Siver now has him pressed against the fence. Cerrone drops him again with a right and locks in a rear-naked choke. Game. Set. Match, Cerrone.

Main Bouts:

(Pay-Per-View 9PM ET/6PM PT)

Hatsu Hioki Defeated George Roop via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

1stRound: Roop tags him with an overhand right to start things off. Roop kicks Hioki in the groin, time is called. Game on. They have been clinching against the fence for quite some time. Hioki trips him to the canvas. Roop scrambles free. Close round. Hioki, 10-9.

2ndRound: Roop comes with an early assault, but nothing significant lands. Roops connects on a couple of body shots and just misses with a head kick. Hioki trips him to the ground again and lands in side control. He slides to full-mount but hasn’t thrown any strikes. Roop tags him with an up-lick on his way to his feet. Hioki, 10-9.

3rdRound: Hioki gets put on his back for a split second. He has Roop pressed against the cage, now Roop reverses. The 1stRound was close, so this fight could be up for grabs. Roops takes him down and is doing just enough to maintain the position. Roop, 10-9, but Hioki wins the fight 29-28 (Maybe).

Scott Jorgensen Defeated Jeff Curran via Unanimous Decision(29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

1stRound: Jorgensen gets him to the ground in less than a minute. Not much of an attack by Jorgensen, but is doing just enough to keep top position. They get stood up, and Curran gets put right back down. Jorgensen, 10-9.

2ndRound: Much clinching against the fence until Jorgensen takes Curran to the mat again. Curran gets back up, and as Jorgensen goes for another takedown, he almost gets caught in a guillotine choke. After a brief exchange, Jorgensen secures another takedown. Jorgensen, 10-9.

3rdRound: After two straight rounds of wrestling, the bantamweights engage in a standup affair for most of the final round. Not much landing by either fighter, though. Jorgensen stuffs a shot and ends up in top position. Story of the fight. Jorgensen, 30-27.

Roy Nelson Defeated Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic via TKO (Punches) at 1:30 in the 3rdRound

1stRound: Nelson definitely looks lighter than the last time we say him, but he only weighed in eight pounds less than at UFC 130. Nelson takes Cro Cop to the ground and lands in full-guard. Cro Cop gets to his feet and connects on a punch-kick combo. Nelson counters with a right of his own. Cro Cop lands a big uppercut. Nelson takes a close round , 10-9.

2ndRound: Nelson wobbles Cro Cop, but the Croatian answers back and temporarily stuns Nelson. CC unleashes a barrage of bombs, but Nelson does a good job of covering up to avoid significant damage. Nelson scores a takedown and moves to side control. Nelson has him caught in a crucifix and is punching Cro Cop countless times in the head. Nelson takes another close one, 10-9.

3rdRound:Cro Cop appears more winded. Nelson tags him with a right. Nelson drops Cro Cop and takes his back. He’s unloading haymakers and the fight is called. Did Nelson just retire Cro Cop?

Yup, Cro Cop just announced his retirement.

Cheick Kongo Defeated Matt Mitrione via Unanimous Decision(30-27, 30-28, 30-27)

1stRound: Crowd rains down boos, as the fighters dance for the first three minutes. Kongo has him clinched against the fence. A whole lot of nothin’ going on. Where’s the yellow card? Mitrione catches a kick and trips Kongo up. Kongo connected on a couple of strikes. Kongo, 10-9?

2ndRound: Mitrione comes out firing, but Kongo answers with leg kicks and two stiff jabs. Mitrione clocks him with a right of his own. Surprised Mitrione hasn’t tried to take this to the mat. A lot of back and forth, tough to determine a winner. Kongo, 10-9?

3rdRound: Kongo is on the attack and dumps Mitrione on the canvas. Mitrione works his way back to his feet. Kongo puts him on the mat again and lands in half-guard. Tough to see Kongo losing this one. I’m just glad it’s over because there has been a guy SCREAMING at the top of his lungs for Kongo right behind press row. All in French, but I understood almost everything he was saying. Kongo, 30-27.

Nick Diaz Defeated BJ Penn via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)

1stRound: No touching of the gloves at the intro. Boxing match to start the contest. Penn takes him down for a second and gets his back. Penn punches Diaz from behind. Diaz works his way to his feet and has Penn clinched against the cage. Penn’s standup looks sharp in the early minutes. Diaz tags him with a long right hand. Penn, 10-9.

2ndRound: Penn throwing jabs and Diaz slaps them away. The “Diaz” is starting to come out in Diaz. They are standing right in front of each other trading shots. Diaz talking smack while blood drips from his right eye. Diaz is starting to land on a regular basis now. Penn starting to buckle and Diaz smells blood. Diaz is just peppering him with shots – head, body. Diaz, 10-9. Penn was lucky to get out of the round.

3rdRound: Diaz comes out firing, sensing he can get a finish. Diaz looks fresh, not so much for Penn. Diaz is throwing tons of shots, as expected, and is landing an extraordinary amount of them. Penn refuses to go down and punches back. Penn’s left eye is busted up. Great fight. Diaz, 10-9. The former Strikeforce champ rallies to win, 29-28.

Diaz says he thinks Georges St-Pierre isn’t really hurt and that he’s scared, homie.

Penn says that was his last fight. We shall see…

Upcoming UFC events

MMA Schedule

UFC on Versus 6: ‘Cruz vs. Johnson’

Saturday, October 1, 2011 from the Verizon Center in Washington D.C.

UFC 136: ‘Edgar vs. Maynard 3’

Saturday, October 8, 2011 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas

UFC 137: ‘St. Pierre vs. Diaz’

Saturday, October 29, 2011 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada Diaz is off card for now.

.

UFC 138: ‘Leben vs. Munoz’

Saturday, November 5, 2011 from the LG Arena at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England

.

UFC Fight Night 25, will Jake Shields rise again

The UFC returns to Louisiana in September for UFC Fight Night 25, and a key welterweight matchup between Jake Shields (26-5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Jake Ellenberger (25-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) headlines the card.

Shields is hoping to earn a second crack at the UFC welterweight title, while Ellenberger is hoping to prove his legitimacy as a contender with a signature win.

In our latest MMAjunkie.com/”Inside MMA” poll, and the results were revealed on Friday’s new episode of HDNet’s weekly MMA news show, and it was fairly one-sided.

The most popular response, with 35 percent of the vote, was Shields via submission.

While it’s been a while since Shields has earned a stoppage win, it’s certainly not out of the question. Shields owns 10 career victories via submission, including wins over Robbie Lawler, Paul Daley, Nick Thompson, Mike Pyle, Ido Pariente and Ray Steinbeiss during an incredible 15-fight win streak that was recently snapped by St-Pierre.

Close behind was Shields via decision, which secured 29 percent of the vote. Another three percent voted for Shields via knockout or TKO, meaning a total of 67 percent of votes favor the former Strikeforce champ.

Those supporting Ellenberger favored a knockout or TKO win, with 21 percent of the total response predicting the result. Another 10 percent voted Ellenberger via decision, and just two percent predicted him to win via submission.

The results could be seen as a little surprising considering Ellenberger is returning from a stunning first-round knockout of Sean Pierson and currently carries a four-fight win streak in the octagon. In fact, Ellenberger is 8-1 in his past nine overall fights.

When shown the results of the poll, Ellenberger remained unflappable.

“It fuels the fire,” Ellenberger said of receiving so little of the vote. “It’s just people’s opinions, but at the end of the day, it really doesn’t mater.”

GSP Talks Nick Diaz & His Ridiculous Trash Talking

The UFC brought out it’s big guns to announced its new Fox network deal. The company’s “A-List” in attendance included not only UFC president Dana White, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, and UFC VP Chuck Liddell, but also fighters such as Georges St-Pierre (Watch Video), Frankie Edgar, and Rashad Evans.

All of them are excited for the fruits that will soon be coming their and the UFC’s way because of this landmark TV deal, but UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre actually had a lot more to say about his next opponent, former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz, than the broadcast agreement.

Diaz has a knack for getting under his opponent’s skin, and although GSP pride’s himself on not getting overly emotional about his fights, he had to admit that he feels somewhat disrespected by Diaz’s comments that the UFC champ was ducking him.

St-Pierre and Diaz will square off on Oct. 29 at UFC 137