Nick Diaz has always been open about how much he loves fighting in Japan and how he feels about the way the nation embraces and respects the sport. He’s also stated in the past he feels the Japanese rules with a ring and no elbows on the ground favor traditional martial arts.
Basically, the Stockton native likes the way the Japanese approach the fight game. In fact, he recently confirmed through GracieFighter.com that he will return to fight in “The Land of the Rising Sun.”
Here’s a snip:
“Dream pays Nick Diaz in full from his last bout in May. Diaz agrees to return to fight in Japan, however at this point it is unclear for which organization.”
There have been rumors all summer that Diaz would face “Mach” Sakurai for the DREAM welterweight title during his next trip out there, but Diaz had problems getting paid for his last fight with the promotion against Katsuya Inoue at DREAM 3 on May 11.
He was reportedly owed $100,000 by the Japanese mixed martial arts promotion for the first round technical knockout win over Inoue. He is now clearly skeptical about doing business with them again.
Here’s a report posted on GracieFighter.com dating back to August 1:
“Diaz could be cleared to fight Mach Sakurai in Dream at the end of September. Diaz has wanted to fight Sakurai for the Dream Champioship Belt, but a stumbling block to this fight has been that as of now Dream has still not paid him a cent for the last fight he participated in for their organization almost 3 months ago.”
Obviously the “Mach” fight didn’t happen in September, but isn’t completely out of the question for a future DREAM event now that they finally coughed up the money … even if it was five months late.
For now, however, Diaz is set to face Eddie Alvarez in Reno, Nevada, on November 8 at Elite XC: “A Night of Champions” for the vacant company lightweight belt.
10 Comments »
I’d tell them that if they want me to fight for them again that they pay me 70% of my purse in advance. Being paid $100K 5 months late is nothing to forget about.
any guesses on the odds for alvarez/diaz?
Alvarez -180
Diaz +140
(That’s a guess)
I agree mexi, some upfront money should be part of the deal. I agree with Nick, Japan is a great place for events. I like how I can hear every punch because of the silent respect shown by the fans. I do like elbows, but don’t need them to watch an exciting fight! Nick should concentrate on alvarez, but having 2 titles in 2 organizations is something to be proud of!
I don’t think Nick will have anything for Alvarez.
I was hoping with he success of Nate the UFC would pursue bring Nick back, but I guess they have bigger issue between each other to work through. Nick would fit well into the UFC 170s and mix things up a bit. Dude is tuff can can brawl with the best!
He should’nt be complaining so much about $100,000, that’s more than most people make in a year. Did he think FEG would simply not pay him? The check’s in the mail, there’s no reason to believe it wouldn’t be (otherwise it would be a pretty obvious lawsuit).
he wasn’t paid for three or four months at least. other american fighters that fought for dream also weren’t getting paid. i sure as hell wouldn’t work at my job if they didn’t pay me for three months and neither should he.
the check wasn’t in the mail, that’s the point. lawsuits cost money and they are a japanese organization. their law system is much different.
i think diaz could command those figures in the ufc to tell you the truth. him and his brother could hedline a ppv in a main and comanin event and make a killing. i want nick to have a rematch with diego sancez every day of my life. i want to see him tested by kos and alvez. i’d like to see a fight with anyone else who was born a fighter. bj penn comes to mind.
A GOMI rematch!!!