A quick blog on what the future holds for these two, and the rest of the people on the bill! http://www.mmayard.com/blog/mma-yar...houghts-where-now-for-diaz-and-daley/#more-72 Who do you think will be next for the likes of Diaz, Daley and Melendez?
For Paul Daley I think the most logical fight is with KJ Noons. Both are strikers with big KO power and they have been talking alot of **** about each other. KJ holds a win over Champ Nick Diaz and Daley almost knocked him out so a big win puts these guys back in title contention. Either KJ or a fight with a Zaromskis or Cyborg. Nick doesnt have many options in the Welterweight divison. The highest ranked guy he hasnt already beat is Tyron Woodley but Woodley hasnt beat many notable fighters and has struggled in some of his recent "stepups". However Woodley is undefeated and stylistic could be a tough matchup because of his outstanding wrestling which has gave Diaz issues. One other fighter could be Shinya Aoki he obviously is dangerous and has a wonderful resume, is coming off an easy win on Saturday and although a Lightweight he has been pretty successful at 170. If not any Welterweight fights then there are some big fights at a 180 catchweight that Diaz has fought at before (Shamrock, Smith) like a Mayhem Miller fight FINALLY, a long awaited Robbie Lawler rematch or a fight with Cung Le would be pretty awesome. Same at Lightweight with Gilbert Melendez he has pretty much ran through the competition. A 3rd fight with Thomson makes little sense now that Thomson lost to Kawijiri and we seen what Melendez just did to Kawijiri. I think the best fights Strikeforce can give him are Jorge Masvidal or ****** Wilcox.
Its Lightweight and Welterweight divisons are its thinest weight classes plus Diaz and Gilbert have virtually cleaned out the divisions. Over 2 years Melendez has took out Kawajiri, Ishida, Aoki and Thomson while Diaz has took out Zaromskis, Daley, KJ, Cyborg. Team Stockton has cleaned out those weights for the most part.
The Diaz defense dilemma is going to add fuel to the fire in the argument to have UFC guys fight Strikeforce guys. The initial indication has been that this won't happen for awhile, but how do you justify Diaz not fighting someone in the UFC just because Zuffa wants to make it appear like it's "business as usual."
Diaz has said he would fight Anderson Silva in a heartbeat. Yet when Mayhem calls him out he seems to run and hide or doesn't appear very eager which to me is shocking coming from a guy who supposedly doesn't back down from any challenge. The only fight that makes sense to me right now is Le-Diaz. Le has stated he'll return to the octagon later this year. If he can get a tune up fight to sharpen up, he might be ready for Diaz before the year is over. That's what SF should aim for. Le and Diaz are two of their biggest stars. That fight would sell quite nicely.
I always thought they should have abandoned doing the traditional weight classes and just do lightweight (say 160Ibs), middleweight (190Ibs) and heavyweight (191Ibs+). Most of their fighters are interchangable between two weight classes anyway so I don't think it'd have cause too many problems with fighters not having a natural weight to go and it would have given them three rosters of real depth.
Weighing up the level of talent in SF i would not be totally against a re match if im completley honest . I do think there is a case for a re match bearing in mind there isnt really anybody else who qualifies for a shot at Diaz . A MW title fight against Souza would be something worth looking at , and have maybe Daley and Woodley on the undercard to get next in line for Diaz , im not sure im clutching at straws somewhat TBH , the UFC should ship across some decent WW's , or make a 1 off fight with Penn or a Sherk re match , maybe Matt Hughes , that sort of fight id like to see Diaz in , a match up with a little creativity and invention .
I hope Dana white that ***** gets nick and melendez back in the ufc. Mannnnn its soo cruel that good fighters with heart and talent like nick diaz get treated like sh*t and cant get a good pay like GSP, GSP gets like 1 mill a fight when he just lays and prays on a guy however nick goes into the fight thinking "man i wanna knock this guy the f*** out!!!!"
coker recently said that there is no reason UFC-SF superfights can't happen, which in Diaz and melendez's case makes sense.
I like Daley vs Diaz rematch or Daley vs KJ to make a comeback. Diaz can fight Woodley. For the millionth time, you don't realise how big Diaz is until they are in the cage with him. Diaz is a big guy no doubt.