Sunday, March 6, 2016
Diaz says "If I had the push that McGregor had."
Nate Diaz, while in the limelight reference incognito "the push" McGregor has had in his career that propelled him into another weight class for another title opportunity. Diaz, following his 3rd round submission of Conor McGregor, snapping his 15-fight win streak, during the UFC 196 Post-Fight Conference was undoubtedly referring to the UFC and Zuffa administration support of McGregor's move up from Featherweight in search of more attention and capital, robbing Jose Aldo, who was unbeaten for 10 years prior to his UFC 194 KO loss to McGregor, of his opportunity for a rematch. Also, awaiting titles in the UFC Featherweight division, which has caused a logjam due to the UFC's support of McGregor, is Frankie Edgar (on a 5-fight win streak), Max Holloway (on an 8-fight win streak) and Raphael Assuncao (on a 7-fight win streak.) With a division so stacked, the only reason McGregor would have been allowed to stray from his obligation to defend his title (as the saying goes "You're not a true champion unless you've defended your title") and fall into the opportunity of a superfight.
Dana White and the UFC's campaign against the Diaz brothers are well-known; they are brash, have a history with marijuana use and tend to say the truth while White prefers to censor what he believes should be said or heard. Drug use is a problem in every sport yet when Jon Jones, who has not fought since his suspension due to a hit and run incident in New Mexico and testing positive for cocaine following his title defense against Daniel Cormier at UFC 182. What remains to be seen is not who is worthy but who is profitable. Jon Jones inactivity is only due to his criminal mischief and he remains to be the #1 Pound-for-Pound fighter even though Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, the only and current UFC Flyweight champion has defended his title twice and has swept through 4 of the top 15 fighters in his division. Jon Jones's last fight at UFC 182 brought in $3,700,000.00 in sales while Demetrious Johnson's last two headliners and title defenses at UFC 186 and 191 brought in a total of $2,030,700.00 while the latest fight UFC 196 brought in $8,100,000.00. If the profit isn't there, fans won't see the humble fighters who deserve title shots over those who are brash, loud and take to social media to decimate their opponent's character. In the words of Floyd Mayweather, "If it aint about money then what the hell is it about?"
What is clear is that Dana White is one of the co-founders who took over the UFC while it was in financial ruins and he can be credited on its comeback and continued success. The question is what can Nate Diaz do to make himself more profitable? What can Dominick Cruz do to make himself more profitable? The fans and the media must take to the competitive nature of fighters and the best way to do that is to allow them to feed into the stereotype of the fighter, which is always been believe to be bare animal instinct, humanness without finesse, without evolution. The public ignores humble individuals unless they are rich and famous and say cliche things, they rally to see animals in conflict. Just watch documentaries of National Geographic.
All respect must be given to Nate Diaz for his outward speech. McGregor wasn't humble in the sense people believe, he slightly made excuses for himself and his loss by stating that Diaz was the heavier guy and that he was more efficient with his energy. Diaz, not to be hushed, returned, calling him out, saying that he was the more effective boxer and all around mixed martial artist, which coming into this fight, all those who know mma, knew that McGregor has a very huge deficiency on the ground, tallying his 3 losses up via 3 submissions.
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