Former Champ Jeff Lacy Ready To Silence Nick Diaz' Boxing Talk

Strikeforce Champ Jake Shields Blasts Frank Shamrock

There's always been a rift between Frank Shamrock and Cesar Gracie's camp. As trainers, the two exchanged words for years that eventually escalated into a bout for Strikeforce in March of 2006 where Shamrock dispatched of Gracie in just 21 seconds.

Cesar Gracie trained fighter Nick Diaz exacted revenge on April 11, 2009, TKO'ing the former UFC titleholder in the second round.

In a recent interview with MMAWeekly Radio, Jake Shields, Gracie trained Strikeforce middleweight titleholder, blasted Shamrock.

"Shamrock's a douche bag. He's not worth my time," said Shields. "The guy would never fight me. He's just trying to talk to keep his washed up career going."

Shields didn't stop there. He brought up teammate Diaz's one-sided victory over Shamrock last year.

"We saw what happened when he stepped in against a real fighter, against Nick Diaz. It was obvious he was on a completely different level than Shamrock."

Jay Hieron Just Wants His Title Shot

Not many fighters take a pass when the UFC leaves an offer on their doorstep. Jay Hieron did, not because the UFC didn't give him a good offer, but because Strikeforce wanted him, needed him, for a title shot against Nick Diaz.

But as soon as he committed to that shot, Diaz stripped it away from him, not going through the necessary steps to get licensed for the fight.

"I went with Strikeforce for the title shot. It's not necessarily they're fault, what happened. Now, Nick Diaz, I'm calling Strikeforce every week going, 'What's up with my title shot?'" He told Steve Cofield of ESPN 1100 radio.

"Diaz is (expletive) around. He's trying to box now and all this and that.

"That's the fight outside the UFC that makes the most sense for a world title fight. There's no other fighter really that makes sense. I want a legit contender for the title. I want to beat somebody with a name and that's Nick Diaz."

Riggs vs. Diaz II Update; Possible Title Fight?

A rematch between rivals Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg could be for the vacant welterweight belt, MMAInsider has learned from sources close to the fight.

Negotiations for the Aug. 15 bout are nearly completed, though Strikeforce has yet to make a formal announcement.

The two first fought at UFC 57, where Riggs won a three-round unanimous decision. Later, they engaged in post-fight brawl at a Las Vegas hospital. Their enmity towards each other hasn't faded since.

Riggs defeated Phil Baroni by unanimous decision in his last appearance at Strikeforce: Shields vs. Lawler in June. The UFC veteran believed he broke both hands during the course of the fight, but the extent of injuries turned out to be less severe, with damage to the small bones in his wrist. He has begun training again.

Diaz outboxed middleweight Scott Smith on the main card of St. Louis event.

With Cung Le apparently shelved until the end of the year, a source from Diaz's camp said a title was the only worthwhile option for Riggs.

Riggs vs. Diaz II Possible, But Not Cleared

A proposed rematch between Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg on Aug. 15 is still on hold, MMAInsider has learned from multiple sources close to the fight.

Although both parties have agreed to the fight, the bout will not go forward until cleared by Showtime executives. As per Strikeforce's agreement with the premium cable network, all bouts need to be approved by Showtime before they are finalized.

Thus, no bout agreements have been signed for the bout and both camps are waiting for confirmation, which could come as early as the end of Tuesday.

Diaz and Riggs fought, twice, over three years ago at UFC 57 in Las Vegas. Riggs won a close decision, which Diaz protested by instigating a fight at the hospital where both were taken afterwards.

The two have shared disdain for each other since.

Quick Showtime Interview with Scott Smith

Showtime interviews Scott Smith, talking about his exciting past fights as he heads into another potential barn burner with Nick Diaz on Saturday night's Strikeforce card.

Nick Diaz's Test Results for Drugs of Abuse

A week after he thumbed his nose at the California State Athletic Commission's drug testing policies, MMAInsider has learned the outcome of Nick Diaz's post-Strikeforce test for drugs of abuse.

According to Bill Douglas, CSAC's Assistant Executive Officer, they are negative.

In an interview with the LA Times the week before the fight, Diaz claimed he could beat the Accutest drug screens employed by the commission using herbal urine cleansers.

"Diaz was fine," wrote Douglas via email. "The test went through a full battery which checks for cleansing agents."

Though Diaz claimed to have a long history of getting stoned in his hotel room the night before a fight, in the end, the talk may have just been a smokescreen.

MMA Live Previews UFC 97 and Reviews Shamrock vs. Diaz

Surprise! Nick Diaz Has Words for Frank Shamrock at Weigh-in

(Courtesy of Steve Cofield of ESPN 1100 and Cagewriter.com)

Frank Shamrock Talks to G4's "Attack of the Show"

Getting to Know Bad Ass: Nick Diaz

(Courtesy of Showtime Sports.)

Showtime Takes Strikeforce Coverage Interactive on the Web

PRESS RELEASE:

NEW YORK (April 8, 2009) -- SHOWTIME will offer Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fans the opportunity to get immersed in the April 11, blockbuster premiere of Strikeforce on SHOWTIME with its new interactive online experience, Strikeforce: All Access, it was announced today by the network's Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports and Event Programming, Ken Hershman. The digital initiative, an interactive live stream of Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz, on Saturday, April 11, further demonstrates the premium network's commitment to leading the television industry in online, mobile, and interactive content distribution.

Fans can purchase the live webcast simultaneously with the live SHOWTIME telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET*. Online participants can control their own viewing experience through multiple camera angles with corresponding audio tracks as well as interact with fellow users, view user-generated photos and download select music tracks from the event.

"By and large, the core fight fans watching MMA on SHOWTIME are among the most technologically savvy of all viewers," said Hershman. "We are proud to offer this enhanced experience to an audience that will embrace the opportunity to control the content and interact with one another during the live show. Strikeforce: All Access puts you in the driver seat."

Strikeforce: All Access will cost $24.95 per user and is available for review and pre-order by visiting http://strikeforce.sho.com.

With Strikeforce: All Access, fans can be the producer. Users can toggle between five live cameras surrounding the cage with full pause and rewind capabilities. Audio tracks will include the SHOWTIME telecast fight call by Gus Johnson, Mauro Ranallo and Pat Miletich, and the corresponding audio to the selected camera. SHOWTIME is working with BitGravity, Inc. and Episodic, Inc. to enable this unique multi-camera experience.

Fans will be able to make predictions, comment on live fights, discuss outcomes and even talk a little smack with All Access through a live Facebook® Connect application.

Other Strikeforce: All Access features will include professional photography from the action in the cage, as well as behind-the-scenes, backstage and fan photos. Images will be uploaded during the live event via Flickr, the popular image and video hosting website and online community.

If users want to own the ring-walk music of their favorite fighter, they can purchase select songs via iTunes directly from links on the site.

"SHOWTIME has led the industry in multi-platform initiatives for years," said Robert Hayes, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital Media for SHOWTIME. "We were the first premium network to offer content on iTunes. We were the first to offer Emmy® voters online screenings of SHOWTIME nominees. We partner with over 100 sites when sampling episodes of our original series and SHOWTIME Sports content. And we are the only premium network offering the explosive sport of mixed martial arts."

"Sports will be one of the big winners with the availability of high quality, scalable and affordable live streaming," said Chris Turner, VP of Worldwide Sales and Business Development at BitGravity. "SHOWTIME understands that sport fans demand a seamless viewing experience with a quality stream, quick start and no download. We are delighted to work with them to deliver Strikeforce: All Access."

The April 11 fight card features MMA pioneer Frank Shamrock taking on his newest rival, superstar Nick Diaz in the main event. Female MMA phenom Cris "Cyborg" of Brazil will take on Japan's Hitomi Akano, middleweight contender Scott Smith will face Benji Radach and heavyweights Brett Rogers and "Abongo" Humphrey will square off to round out the show. Plus, Gilbert Melendez will face an opponent to be announced in a lightweight match.

*Telecast airs live at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME (delayed on the West Coast); Strikeforce: All Access will be webcast live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Frank Shamrock and Nick Diaz Bring the "Smack Talk"

Meet the Strikeforce Fighters on Thursday

With a month to go before Strikeforce makes its promotional debut on the Showtime Network, they are holding a Kickoff Press Conference on Thursday, March 12 at the Avalon Hollywood in California that is open to the public. Fans are welcome to come out and meet many of the Strikeforce fighters.

Strikeforce Tickets On Sale for Shamrock vs. Diaz

PRESS RELEASE:

Tickets for “Shamrock vs. Diaz,” the Strikeforce mixed martial arts (MMA) mega-event that will take place at San Jose, California’s HP Pavilion on Saturday, April 11th, are officially on sale.

Priced from $30, “Shamrock vs. Diaz” tickets are available for purchase at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070) as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (408-998-TIXS), Ticketmaster online, and Strikeforce’s official website.

Three-time world champion and MMA legend, Frank Shamrock (24-9-1), will make his long-awaited return to the cage against Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt and hard-hitting brawler, Nick Diaz (18-7, 1 NC), in the main event of the most highly anticipated Strikeforce event of all-time.

The headlining matchup, which will be contested at a catch weight of 179 lbs, represents a key opportunity for the 25-year-old Diaz to avenge a devastating, 21 second knockout that his trainer, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master, Cesar Gracie, suffered at the hands of Shamrock in the main event of Strikeforce’s historic, inaugural MMA event at HP Pavilion on March 10, 2006.

Middleweight (185-pound limit) sluggers Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith (16-5, 1 NC) and Benji “Razor” Radach (19-4) will go to war with each other in a featured contest on the card. Additional matchups for the Strikeforce event will be announced shortly.

HP Pavilion doors will open for “Shamrock vs. Diaz” at 4:30 p.m. on April 11th. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5 p.m. and the main fight card will commence at 7 p.m.

Tim Sylvia vs. Ken Shamrock and Nick Diaz vs. Joe Riggs 2 in Discussion

PRESS RELEASE:

In regards to rumors of UFC Former Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia and MMA legend Ken Shamrock coming together for the first time, Xp3 Promotions and UFS President Posh Caplan says that the Xp3 event, Unified Fight Sports 1 “Vindication,” which was scheduled to be held in Houston in December, has been rescheduled for March and is to air a Live Spring Break In-Demand pay-per-view event in Florida, date pending venue confirmation.

Posh will say only that the Sylvia vs. Shamrock fight is in negotiation. She confirms that Tim Sylvia and his manager Monte Cox have accepted the terms, and that Shamrock’s manager and Shamrock Promotions CEO Bill McFarlane has given written confirmation to UFS and In-Demand, that negotiations are currently in progress.

This event also looks to bring Joe Riggs and Nick Diaz to the cage and letters of intent have been signed, but may be revisited pending the length of recovery for Riggs' surgery for a broken hand.

Negotiations have been agreed upon for three former UFC heavyweights: Tim Sylvia, Jeff Monson, and Ricco Rodriguez, as well as for UFC veterans Travis Lutter, Justin Eilers, Brad Imes, Sherman Pendergarst, and, likely, Joe Doerksen and MTV’s Kit Kope.

Posh says that the Unified Fight Sports event will combine the MMA fight event with a top concert performance bringing MMA to the mainstream while maintaining the integrity of the sport and promoting these world class athletes. Posh wishes to express her thanks to Monte Cox and Pat Miletich and the MMA community for their support and for making this premier event possible
.

Do EliteXC Fighters Fit the WEC Mold? Maybe...

World Extreme Cagefighting vice president Peter Dropick was recently asked if the WEC had any interest in signing fighters from the now defunct EliteXC promotion... specifically K.J. Noons, Nick Diaz, and Wilson Reis.

"I know our matchmakers are look at any fighters that are available. I don't know their contractual situations. There are a handful of guys that make sense, and there are some that just wouldn't make sense," Dropick replied.

Although he couldn't really commit to any specific fighters due to EliteXC and its fighters still being mired in a web of legal entanglements, the VP did sound like he was interested in bringing some of the top EliteXC talent to the WEC.

"I don't know specifically if we've talked to anyone or legally if we can talk to anyone at this point, but absolutely we're keeping an eye on that situation. We want the best guys in the world and those guys that are available we've got a lot to offer them."

One of the biggest questions surrounding EliteXC's collapse has been what will happen to the female fighters. Gina Carano has developed a certain amount of star power, and EliteXC had also attracted a number of other top female fighters like Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos, Sarah Kaufman, Tonya Evinger, Kelly Kobold, and others among them.

Unfortunately for the female EliteXC fighters and their fans, it doesn't appear that the UFC's sister promotion currently has any more interest in their services than does the UFC itself. Asked if there had been any discussion about bringing any of the female fighters into the WEC fold, Dropick simply replied, "No, there hasn't."

Nick Diaz's Official Notice of Breach of Contract

Nick Diaz on Thursday sent his official Notice of Breach of Contract to EliteXC. The letter is an attempt that many fighters are making to free themselves from the shackles of EliteXC's sinking ship. The promotion's parent company, ProElite, Inc., is expected to file bankruptcy any day now.

If the breach of contract doesn't go through, it is possible that the fighters under contract with EliteXC could get mired in the legal process when the bankruptcy court tries to find relief for ProElite's creditors.

Below is the letter that Diaz sent to EliteXC, as it was posted on his manager Cesar Gracie's website:


October 30, 2008
To EliteXC Live:
12100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 8000
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Attn: Jeremy Lappen

Re: Notice of Breach - Unarmed Combatant Promotional Agreement between Nick Diaz and EliteXC Live, Inc.

Dear Sir:

Pursuant to Article 43 of the Unarmed Combatant Promotional Agreement between Nick Diaz and EliteXC Live, Inc. (“Agreement”), Nick Diaz hereby provides written notice of material breach of the Agreement. It has come to the attention of Mr. Diaz that EliteXC Live Inc. has declared the intent to file for bankruptcy and is no longer able to fulfill its obligations under the contract and has breached its representations and warranties pursuant to Article 47 of the Agreement.

Pursuant to Article 43 of the Agreement, EliteXC Live Inc. has thirty (30) days to cure such material breach by posting a bond or other form of escrow in such an amount as set forth in the Agreement that must be payable to Mr. Diaz upon completion of each contemplated Bout set forth in the Agreement and any extensions thereof, and, specifically to evidence EliteXC Live Inc.’s ability to fulfill its obligations under Article 47. If EliteXC Live Inc. fails to cure such material breach in the manner set forth above within thirty (30) days of receipt this written notice, then in Accordance with Article 43, the Agreement and any extensions thereof will be terminated.

Respectfully,

NICK DIAZ

Nick Diaz vs. Eddie Alvarez in Japan?

News of the contractual jiu-jitsu being employed by MMA managers to free themselves of Elite XC has spread fast.

Several managers MMAInsider spoke to, including Ken Pavia of MMA Agents, Matt Stansell of NCFC Fight Management, and Cesar Gracie confirmed they had sent notices of breach to Elite as early as Tuesday last week.

Should they be successful in breaking from the defunct company, fifteen fighters will hit the free agent market in late November.

MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday confirmed that Nick Diaz was almost certainly Japan-bound and would fight for Dream (via parent company Fight Entertainment Group) or Sengoku sometime on or around the New Year.

Another fighter from Elite's roster, Eddie Alvarez, was scheduled to make his Showtime debut against Diaz on Nov. 8 before the card was cancelled. Alvarez had the same clause in his contract as Diaz allowing him to fight in Japan as long as it did not interfere with his Elite duties.

Alvarez said he was currently weighing his options with manager Monte Cox.

"He wants me to sit still a little bit so we can try to get something a little more secure and sign with a promotion that's going to take care of us financially and get us the right opponents," Alvarez said.

Alvarez says he's in shape and is ready to fight any time. A fight against Diaz in Japan would certainly interest him.

"That's a great idea," he said. "Right now, I think his main focus is signing with an organization and keeping me fighting. We want to do that in the United States, as well as Japan, but we don't have any US promotions, right now, to do that."

Nick Diaz FINALLY Gets Paid

In a brief news update on Caesar Gracie's website, he posted an update on the status of some of his fighters and what they have going on.

As we posted here in the MMAInsiderBLOG, Jake Shields opened up his new academy over the weekend. It is a new GracieFighter Academy located in Berkley, Calif.

Nick Diaz has been confirmed to fight Eddie Alvarez on the Nov. 8 EliteXC fight card in Reno, Nev., and now he's also been paid for his fight for Dream… which took place FIVE MONTHS ago! According to Gracie, Diaz has agreed to return to Japan, but leaves the door for speculation wide open as he says, "At this point it is unclear for which organization" that Diaz will fight for in Japan.

It has been oft rumored that Nick's brother, Nate Diaz, will be fighting on the Dec. 13 Ultimate Fighter Finale on Spike TV. The update indicates that Nate is still waiting to hear if he will actually be added to the card or not.

Another GracieFighter team member, Damien Douglas, is expecting to return to ShoXC on the November card. Douglas is 3-1 in MMA thus far, winning his most recent ShoXC outing, defeating Joe Schilling in September.