Nick Diaz Deserves a Shot at GSP

I have never been a fan of the Diaz brothers.  I never considered them to be top-five talents, and, even though Nick is the Strikeforce welterweight champion, I figured he'd be a bust in the UFC.  Why?  Because he is not particularly big, nor fast, nor powerful, nor freakishly skilled in striking or grapplilng.

But his knock out victory over Paul Daley last night demonstrated that he is, indeed, one of best welterweights in any organization.  And, the only next step that makes sense for Diaz is to move into the UFC and take on GSP.  After Daley, there is no one in Strikeforce that deserves to get in the cage with Nick Diaz.

Many consider Paul Daley to be the most devastating 170-pound striker in the world.  He showed that recently by knocking the stuffing out of another feared striker in Scott Smith.  But that did not faze Nick Diaz in the least.  In fact, from the moment the fight started, Diaz came forward with his chin out and his hands down, taunting Daley to unleash.  And, in perhaps the most exciting round of fighting this year, they both threw leather -- and lots of it.

Diaz did not try to take the fight to the ground.  He did not back down.  And, even after Daley hurt him, he came forward aggressively.  When the dust settled, Daley was on his back and seeing stars and Diaz had successfully defended his belt for the third straight time.  Simply put, Diaz is a pure badass.

Diaz deserves big bucks and big opportunities, not just because he is the champion, but because he is one of the most exciting fighters in the business.  And, most importantly, he is a finisher.  If GSP gets past Shields, Diaz -- not Condit, not Rumble, not Fitch -- deserves the next shot.