Nate Diaz is playing hardball. With his trilogy fight against Conor McGregor seemingly on the back burner, Diaz isn’t falling for any UFC tricks to get him in the octagon against a different opponent for less money. Even if those tricks include title fights. In a tweet yesterday, Diaz revealed that the UFC has offered him championship fights at any weight class. Instead of accepting, it appears that Diaz is moving to another sport altogether. Boxing.
https://twitter.com/NateDiaz209/status/939319334681243649
Heydorn’s Analysis: I see this as more posturing and positioning on the part of Nate Diaz. He wants the UFC to pony up big dollars for him to step foot in the octagon again. That said, without a track record of success on his own for drawing buys, the UFC isn’t likely to fork over what he wants. There is the stalemate in a nutshell and Diaz seems fine to continue biding his time. The demand for him in a boxing ring could be the proof the UFC needs to book him at a steep price. At the same time, I don’t believe there is significant demand to see him box. If I’m a betting man (and I am), I maintain that Diaz ends up in the octagon sooner than later. UFC is in need of stars and Diaz is one of the biggest ones they have.
SATURDAY NEWS NOTEBOOK
–Joanna Jedrzejczyk is leaving her nutrition team. Because of a botched weight cut for her fight against Rose Namajunas at UFC 217, Jedrzejczyk is leaving her nutrition team, Perfecting Athletes. In an interview with Przemysław Osiak of Przeglad Sportowy, Jedrzejczyk said that she had to cut 16 pounds in 14 hours to make the fight; a task that she says cost her the fight. In the interview, Jedrzejczyk said “The mistakes that they made were unforgivable,”.… “I can’t work with those kinds of people.” At the same time, she did say that on a human level she could forgive.
Heydorn’s Analysis: That is awful to hear. 16 pounds in 14 hours is shockingly unhealthy. Her team should have known better and a cut like that would certainly alter performance. I’m not surprised she fired that team and the move was 100 percent warranted.
-Invicta FC 26 Results:
Jennifer Maia def. Aga Niedźwiedź via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Mackenzie Dern def. Kaline Medeiros via submission (armbar) at 4:45 of R3
Janaisa Morandin def. Kinberly Novaes via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Vanessa Porto def. Milana Dudieva via TKO (punches) at 3:02 of R3
Virna Jandiroba def. Amy Montenegro via submission (armbar) at 2:50 of R1
Amber Brown def. Tessa Simpson via submission (armbar) at :50 of R1
Karina Rodríguez def. Christine Ferea via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)
Kay Hansen def. Emilee Prince via submission (armbar) at 1:23 of R1
–Edmonton levies a one year ban on combat sports. After the death of former UFC fighter, Tim Hauge, the city of Edmonton has banned combat sports in the city for one year.
Contact Zack at heydornzack@gmail.com and follow Zack on Twitter at https://twitter.com/zheydorn
NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS NEWS: FRIDAY NEWS DIGEST 12/8: UFC interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson, out indefinitely after elbow surgery (w/ Heydorn’s analysis)
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