01-17-2008, 02:19 PM
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Nick Diaz News
At least this time, EliteXC says the event in Hawaii could serve as the return fight date...instead of Nick Diaz is definitely fighting at that event.
Either way it's good to hear he's recovering from the eye surgery. Love him or hate him, his fights are usually pretty exciting. 
Quote:
EliteXC has already announced upcoming Feb. 15 and March 29 fight dates, and during yesterday’s media conference call, Live Events President Gary Shaw announced one more: April 26. The event, which will take place in Hawaii, could serve as the return fight date for Nick Diaz (15-7).
MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com) first mentioned the pending event in yesterday’s media call recap (which includes information about Feb. 15’s main event between Kimbo Slice and David “Tank” Abbott).
After first producing the Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le event in March, the California-based EliteXC then heads to Hawaii. Diaz, a former UFC fighter who recently signed a long-term deal with EliteXC only to be upset by K.J. Noons in a lightweight title fight, recently had surgery but could return at the event.
“He’s had surgery on his eye to repair all that scar tissue, and I think that Nick needed a rest,” said Shaw “He’s doing the right thing for Nick right now, and we’ve encouraged him to rest as well.
“But I think he’s fighting on the April 26 card.“
As for an opponent, Shaw isn’t ruling out a rematch with Noons — but not right away.
“We eventually want to give him another shot at K.J. Noons,” Shaw said. “He gave K.J. Noons a shot. But not right back.“
The two fighters met at EliteXC’s “Renegade” event in September for the organization’s vacant lightweight (160-lb.) title — with Diaz the heavy favorite. However, Noons connected on a number of blows, and the bout was stopped after the first round due to multiple cuts on Diaz’s face. Diaz was furious over the TKO stoppage and flipped off the ringside doctor and shoved a camera as he stormed out of the cage.
He hasn’t fought since then.
In addition to Noons, EliteXC officials have mentioned the possibility of a rematch between Diaz and Takanori Gomi. This past February, PRIDE hosted what was only its second show on U.S. soil. Executives wanted to match Gomi, their prized lightweight champion, with an American fighter who had widespread appeal. They ultimately chose Diaz, and in one of the year’s most memorable fights, Diaz bounced back from a series of blows and an early knockdown to score a rare gogoplata submission victory in the second round.
However, after Diaz failed a drug test due to marijuana, the Nevada State Athletic Commission stripped Diaz of the win and ruled the fight a no-contest.
Diaz is now 4-1 (with one no-contest) in his past six fights.
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EliteXC’s Nick Diaz Could Return April 26 in Hawaii -- MMAjunkie.com |
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