Strikeforce
STRIKEFORCE NEWS: Nick Diaz looking to boxing after bout with Cyborg in San Jose
Jan 25, 2011 - 1:25:49 PM STRIKEFORCE NEWS: Nick Diaz looking to boxing after bout with Cyborg in San Jose

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz fights on Showtime this Saturday night, but once that fight is over, he's reportedly looking towards boxing for his next fight.

According to Franklin McNeil at ESPN.com, Diaz's new contract extension with Strikeforce features a clause that will allow him to compete in boxing this year, and it's something he's absolutely looking to do.

Per his trainer Cesar Gracie, they're already in negotiations with boxing promoter Don Chargin to have Diaz take a bout in the super middleweight division, which is contested at 168 lbs. Names being discussed as potential opponents are Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga.

Vargas hasn't fought since losing to Mayorga in November of 2007, but he's reportedly looking to make a comeback. Mayorga has a bout with Miguel Cotto coming up in March, but he could be a possible opponent later in the year.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: Judging by Diaz's comments in last week's pre-fight conference call and this news, it's clear why he re-upped with Strikeforce. He doesn't feel he's making enough money in MMA right now, and thinks boxing will lead to bigger paydays, and Strikeforce is giving him the opportunity to go after that type of a payday. But it's not going to be easy money, and it's not a guarantee that Diaz can enter into an immediate payday. Just because the biggest stars in boxing make a clearly larger amount of money than the top stars in MMA doesn't mean the mid and lower tier boxers are making money hand over fist, so while Diaz can make money in boxing, I don't know that he'll be making what he's thinking at this point.